Resurrection: The Ultimate Game-Changer

The latter half of 1999 was a time of uncertainty and fear. We all wondered how the turn of the millennium would impact life as we knew it. Would computers crash? The internet no longer function? The electric power grid screech to a halt? By the end of that December the Coleman family had stored a week’s supply of bottled water, 20 pounds of rice, and canned meals in the basement at the ready. Just in case. Who knew what would happen when the clock struck midnight and usher in the year 2000?

Magazines articles and books predicting doom, gloom, and preparation strategies sold like hotcakes. Chip MacGregor teamed up with two other writers and published such a book to help people prepare for the trauma that lay ahead. Several months after the turn of the millennium, he reunited with the team. As they sipped coffee, they discussed their recent millennium project. “I know the book didn’t sell especially well,” one team member commented. “But I still think we did a real service for those who did read it. I feel good about how we helped our readers.”

Chip and the third team member looked at each other in disbelief. “But nothing happened,” they reminded her.

The value of their book evaporated when the clock struck 12 that New Year’s Eve and nothing changed. The message officially became invalid.

As I recently studied the story of the Resurrection, it occurred to me that all of the disciples must have had that same realization as Jesus hung dying on the cross. They’d just spent three years with Jesus, following him from town to town. They listened to his teaching and watched him heal the sick, exorcise demons, command even nature itself. All of their hopes were pinned on his promises of the imminent establishment of his kingdom. Just earlier that week, they had participated in a glorious recognition of Jesus as Messiah as he entered Jerusalem surrounded by an adoring crowd spreading cloaks and palm branches before him. Everything they had seen and heard over a 3 year span seemed to validate Jesus’ true identity.

But then came the arrest, the trials, the beating, and the crucifixion. As Jesus hung gasping for breath, they watched several groups mock him in his perceived helplessness. If he was so good at saving, why didn’t he save himself, they scoffed. Then after several excruciating hours, the man they believed their redeemer and savior bowed his head and died.

In that moment, the validity of what they believed surely died with him. An outcome either validates or nullifies a message.

They must have concluded Jesus was apparently just another prophet. His wonderful and mind-blowing teachings had seemed to be from God. Certainly his miracles had validated his teachings. He was a good man, a wonderful teacher. But just like all the prophets before him, his life had ended, and he now lay cold in the grave.

For three days, the disciples hid in fear of what their association with him might cost them. They grieved their loss and the death of the one they loved. It had been all for nothing.

But then came Sunday morning. And when Jesus appeared to his disciples, allowing them to see and touch his resurrected body, they once again believed. It was a game-changer.

Now rather than hiding behind locked doors, the disciples went out into the world, boldly proclaiming the gospel message to anyone that would listen. Willing to suffer and eventually even die for what they knew to be true, their lives, characterized by sacrifice and love, demonstrated how their salvation had changed them.

Without the resurrection, all hope of victory over the power of sin would have remained in the tomb with Jesus. As Paul wrote, “If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain… we are of all men most to be pitied.”

But he didn’t remain in the tomb. We serve a risen Savior. His work did not end in defeat on the cross. He rose again, and in that act proved his power over sin and death. We can be confident in his ability to do the same for us. The resurrection is the ultimate game-changer.

“But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.” 1 Corinthians 15:20-22