From the Pastor's Desk | Easter Sunday April 5

Happy Easter! 

Today we celebrate the central and foundational event in both history and Christianity - the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead! 

I say both history and Christianity with intention because the Resurrection of Jesus is not just a Christian event.  Not in the least!  It is a historical fact.  In his first letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul writes, “For I handed on to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures; that he was buried; that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures; that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve.  After that, he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.  After that he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.  Last of all, as to one born abnormally, he appeared to me (1 Corinthians 15:3-8).  

Paul wrote his first letter to the people in Corinth sometime around 55 A.D.  But, it is widely accepted by scholars that this creed, so to speak, of Jesus’ post-mortem appearances originated within a few years of Jesus’ crucifixion (another event that is widely recorded in ancient history).  The accounts of Jesus’ appearances to a wide variety of people prove challenging to skeptics. 

There are, however, three theories which attempt to disprove the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead but prove shaky at best.  The first is the so-called Hallucination Theory which argues that the appearances of Jesus after he had, in fact, died were just hallucinations.  If that were the case, then how does one explain the wide variety of people who claimed to have seen Jesus personally after his death?  Hallucinations do not tend to be widespread affairs.  

The second is the Theft Theory which argues that Jesus’ body was stolen by his disciples in order to fake the Resurrection narrative.  This is also shaky at best.  First, Pontius Pilate ensured that the tomb was well sealed and well guarded.  After Jesus’ death, who in their right mind would dare attempt to steal his body given what they witnessed Jesus endure?  Second, the fact that Jesus’ disciples were willing to suffer death seemingly disproves this theory.  Who would be willing to die for a lie?  Or, would everyone be willing to die for a lie?    

The third is the Legend Theory which argues that Jesus’ Resurrection was not at all a historical fact but rather a myth or legend that developed over time.  This also seems implausible as reports of Jesus’ Resurrection date to very near his crucifixion.  In other words, belief in his Resurrection by the early Christian community was quite an early development as evidenced historically.

I think the evidence is quite clear that Jesus Christ was, in fact, raised from the dead.  And, if this is true (and I wholeheartedly believe it is), then this has serious implications for everyone’s life - believers and nonbelievers alike.  If the Resurrection is true, there is no getting around it and its implications.  The most obvious and most important is that it validates who Jesus Christ claimed to be - God and the Messiah.  That should stop us in our tracks!  No other religious leader has ever claimed to be God.  Jesus did and he proved it through his death and Resurrection.  

If Jesus is who he says he is, what are the implications for each of us personally? 

Know of my prayers for you all! 

Fr. Ryan