All four gospels tell us the story of an empty tomb and a resurrected Jesus. The gospels tell us that Jesus had a body that could be touched (John 20:27) and that he could eat, (Luke 24:40-43) but he could also do things like suddenly appear in a locked room. (John 20:19) The Apostle Paul calls this a spiritual body. (1 Cor. 15:44)
For the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians chapter 15 the resurrection of Jesus is the foundation for everything else in Christianity. Without the resurrection, Christianity simply falls apart.
Paul says that Christ’s death for our sins and his resurrection are of “first importance.” (1 Cor. 15:3-4) Jesus appeared alive to over five hundred people. (1 Cor. 15:6) If Christ has not been raised, “then our proclamation has been in vain, and your faith has been in vain.” (1 Cor. 15:14) If Christ has not been raised then, Paul and all of those who preach, including me, are found to be “misrepresenting God.” (1 Cor. 15:15) If Christ has not been raised our faith is futile and we are still in our sins. (1 Cor. 15:17) If Christ is not raised those who have died, and we who will die one day, have no true hope for salvation and eternal life, they have “perished.” (1 Cor. 15:18) Finally, if Christ is not raised, we who have faith in Christ are, in a word, pitiful. (1 Cor. 15:19)
Back in 2007 news broke that an ossuary, a bone box, had been discovered with the inscription “Jesus son of Joseph” on it. Speculations began as to whether this box contained the bones of Jesus, never mind that Jesus and Joseph (and Mary) were very common names at the time. A Discovery Channel documentary was released in March of 2007. Let’s just say that most archeologists and Biblical scholars were not impressed with this discovery and the claims that were being made. And, by the way, when they opened the box, it was empty.
Around the time this news broke I was in chapel at seminary when one of our professors, in jest, said, “The body of Jesus has found, all classes are canceled, and the seminary is now closed.” That is what is on the line for us as Christians. If Jesus has not been raised from the dead, the church is out of business. The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ is at the very core of the Christian faith. Without these we have nothing.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ also points to our own resurrection at the end of time, but we will not be talking about that until toward the end of the series.
