The Resurrection - The Cornerstone of Our Faith

This morning I have been reading a few different places in scripture and have come across the theme of the Resurrection repeatedly. I was thinking that this is one of the things we don't hear preached about much, at least I haven't, and yet it is the cornerstone of our faith.

These verses from Paul's first letter to the Corinthians describes the critical nature of the Resurrection - 1 Corinthians 15:12-14, 20-23 NIV:

[12] "But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? [13] If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. [14] And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.

[20] But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. [21] For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. [22] For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. [23] But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him."

In Acts 17, Paul was preaching in Athens and used the fact of the Resurrection as that which differentiated the Christian faith from all others. Here is an excerpt from that chapter - Acts 17:16-19, 29-31 NIV:

[16] "While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. [17] So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. [18] A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. [19] Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?

[29] “Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone---an image made by human design and skill. [30] In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. [31] For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”

To summarize what Paul was saying, his proof of God being the one true God was that He sent Jesus to the earth, and then raised Him from the dead. Without the resurrection, our whole faith in Jesus is pointless, for that is what proves He was who He said He was, namely the Son of God. Without the resurrection He could just be a prophet, or a great teacher. The prophets of old worked signs and wonders occasionally, the great teachers spoke with wisdom and authority. It was the resurrection that sets Jesus apart, and is thus the cornerstone of our faith.

Without His death, we have no proof that He became fully man, and thus fulfilled the requirements of the Law. Without the resurrection we have no proof that God accepted this sacrifice and exalted Him as our Savior. As Paul said, "If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith!"

So today, and hopefully every day, I am grateful for the fact that Jesus did rise from the dead, and is seated at the right hand of the Father, even now. He is the only one who has saved me and set me free from the bonds of sin and death. Thank You Lord Jesus!