What If The Resurrection Never Happened?

“Never has there been one who has died, been buried, then days later raised from the dead to escape its clutches forever. No one except for one. Jesus.”

Over 150,000 people die each day globally. Never in my lifetime has there been a single news report about someone dying, then rising from the dead to not die again. In the years I have been a minister and conducted numerous funerals, never have I observed a single person that has been laid to rest, then raised up to avoid death again. In history there have been people who were dead for seconds, minutes or even hours—then came back to life. But never has there been one who has died, been buried, then days later raised from the dead, to escape its clutches forever. At no time has there ever been such a case—except for one. Jesus. (Image from Istock)

Understandably, the story of Jesus being resurrected has its critics. “A historical fact which involves a resurrection from the dead is utterly inconceivable” wrote the late Dr. Rudolph Bultmann, an influential New Testament German theologian. However, there are many who believe the biblical story of Jesus’ resurrection, such as Bible scholar, Dr. N.T. Wright, who has done extensive research on the resurrection. He says, “Because he is raised from the dead, he is Lord of the world, sovereign over the whole cosmos, the one before whom we bow the knee, believing that in the end every creature will come to do so as well.”

From the day Jesus’ tomb was found empty until today, the debate over Jesus’ resurrection has been as divisive as ever among scholars. What if the critics are right? What if Jesus died, but never rose from the dead? What if the resurrection never happened and there was no Easter to celebrate? This presents at least three major problems.

1-A spiritual problem.  According to Christian teaching, Jesus’ death provided the shedding of blood for the forgiveness of mankind’s sin. His resurrection completed the work. No resurrection would mean no forgiveness. Humanity would be cursed to bear the guilt and shame of their sin forever. All people would be destined to a vain life and fearful death because of no hope beyond ourselves. The Bible declares this, “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.” (1 Corinthians 15:17)

2-A moral problem.  According to Christian teaching, God declares He does not lie and condemned the deceptive act among His followers in the Ten Commandments. If the resurrection never happened then God is a liar. Jesus is a liar. The whole Bible is a lie. The billions of Christians for the last 2,000 years are all liars, and Christianity is humankind’s greatest conspiracy. The Scriptures addresses this as well, “And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ…” (1 Cor. 15:14-15)

3-A theological problem.  According to Christian teaching, Jesus was not a mere man but divine and His resurrection was ultimate proof. If Jesus had not risen from the dead, it would be legitimate to question the deity of Christ. If there was no resurrection Jesus was not divine, but a mere mortal. His miracles would be a hoax. His teachings would all be suspect. He would be nothing more than an influential historical figure like Socrates, Gandhi or Martin Luther King, Jr.

What shall we say in response to all this? His tomb is empty. His bones have never been found. There were eye witnesses to His resurrection. One early follower said, “This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses” (Acts 2:32). For centuries billions of these witnesses have been transformed by Him. This is the ultimate proof that Christ has risen. YES, JESUS IS ALIVE!

A prayer for you - Lord God, I pray for those who doubt the resurrection. Hear their objections and provide understanding. Bring us all to know the truth of Christ and His power like never before. This day we declare our belief in the risen Savior and Lord of all.  In Jesus’ name. Amen.