It's not over

Easter Sunday is a reminder to us that it’s not “over”. For some of you reading this I know life is difficult and maybe you feel like you have nowhere to turn, but the fact that you are here reading this is proof that it’s “not over” for you.

In January 2010, Jozef Guzy then 76, a Polish beekeeper had an experience where folks wrongly assumed it was “over” for him. It seems as though he was stung multiple times by his bees and his body went into shock. It was then wrongly assumed that had suffered a heart attack and doctor’s pronounced Jozef dead. Imagine the shock he felt when he awoke locked inside a coffin at a funeral home. Undertaker Darius Charon said, “He was shouting and banging on the coffin … he made enough noise to raise the dead so we couldn't miss him.” They wrongly assumed for Josef Guzy that it was over. Now go back 2000 years to another time and place. As Jesus was removed from the cross and placed in the tomb, followers and critics alike wrongly assumed it was over. Yes, Jesus had died, but it was far from over.

How can we know that Jesus really rose from the dead? I think there are three indisputable sources that serve as evidence of His resurrection.
1. The resurrection was communicated by the angels – As the women arrive to “prepare the body” of Jesus they are greeted by angels, God’s messengers, and are asked why they seek the living among the dead.
2. The resurrection was confirmed by His absence – His tomb was sealed with a large stone and Roman guards were put outside to guard the tomb against His disciples stealing the body and then claiming He arose from the dead. One of the greatest proofs of the resurrection is the fact no one ever produced the corpse of Jesus.
3. The resurrection was certified by His appearances – One might argue that an angel appearance or lack of body is not proof that Jesus arose. But the fact that on multiple occasions and to upwards of 500 people Jesus appeared after His resurrection makes for a compelling argument. If it was a hoax, 2-3 people might try and pull it off but 500? And we know many of those 500 died horribly cruel deaths for believing and affirming that Jesus rose from the dead.

So what does the resurrection mean to you and me? I think we learn 2 very important lessons from this.
1. We know Jesus was more than just a man – One Easter the Wizard of Id comic strip had one ant climbing up the cross to read the sign above Jesus head. Another asked him what it said and he responded, “It says ‘to be continued’”. Without an empty tomb, the cross would lose its meaning.
2. We know we can be forgiven – We all face two major problems: sin and death. Jesus dealt with both of those problems so that we wouldn’t have to. The cross pays for our sin (Hebrews 9:27).
3. We know that death is not the end – The resurrection proves there is life after death.

Pilate offered the Jews on that fateful day to either release Jesus or a notorious criminal named Barabbas. Pilate wrongly assumed it was a no brainer and given the choice they’d choose to release Jesus. But the crowd instead told him to crucify Jesus and give them Barabbas. Imagine being Barabbas in the jail cell. He obviously heard a great commotion and then hears the people start to chant his name. He doesn’t know why they are calling his name but thinks they must be calling for his head. Then he hears the keys rattle in the jail cell door and with trembling knees and faint heart he’s told he’s being taken to Pilate. Once before Pilate, Pilate tells him, “You know you deserve death.” Then after a long pause Pilate exclaims, “You are free to go, this man (pointing at Jesus) is taking your place!”

Now substitute your name for Barabbas. One day the keys of death will rattle at your life’s door. Maybe you are at first frightened by the prospect. You know that you have sinned throughout your life and you deserve whatever comes your way. Then you appear for the Lord God the Righteous Judge and with great trepidation you await your just punishment. But then the Father welcomes you to heaven pointing at His Son and exclaiming “He took your place!” That is true when you know Christ as your Savior. It’s not “over” … the fact you are here shows there’s still time for you to come to Christ!