Staff Reports
This coming Sunday, Christians will celebrate Easter, honoring the resurrection of Jesus Christ after his crucifixion on Good Friday. The cornerstone belief of Christianity, the bodily resurrection of Jesus, remains as shocking and divisive today as it was 2,000 years ago. Jesus’ followers claim that after being executed and buried, he miraculously came back to life and ascended to heaven.
Christians Celebrate Easter: ‘If Christ Has Not Been Raised … Your Faith Is in Vain’ https://t.co/RU6Fn9W5A3
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Unlike other world religions, Christians don’t just view Jesus as a wise teacher or moral example; they believe he is the divine Son of God. The New Testament recounts the story of doubting Thomas, one of Jesus’ disciples, who initially refused to believe in the resurrection until he saw and touched Jesus’ wounds for himself. This skepticism echoes the doubts of many people today regarding the miraculous claims of Christianity.
The Apostle Paul, a key figure in early Christianity, emphatically argued that without the literal resurrection of Jesus, the entire Christian faith would be meaningless. He wrote to the Corinthian church, asserting that if Jesus did not physically rise from the dead, then their faith was in vain and they were still enslaved by sin.
The controversial nature of the resurrection is evident even in the reactions of contemporary non-believers, echoing the skepticism of Festus, a Roman governor, who accused Paul of madness for proclaiming the resurrection. Despite the lingering disbelief, the resurrection of Jesus remains the central and unyielding belief of Christianity throughout the centuries.
As Christians worldwide prepare to celebrate Easter, they continue to affirm their faith with the declaration, “He is risen. He is risen, indeed!” The celebration of Jesus’ resurrection stands as a testament to the enduring strength and perseverance of the Christian faith in the face of skepticism and doubt.
