The challenges Christian faith faces are understandably not surprising. Christianity rests its foundation on faith on a living personality- Jesus Christ. He died, was raised by the Father and witnessed by several persons at various times and places; ascended into heaven, viewed by a large crowd among His disciples and onlookers. Jesus is the only one who claimed to be the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE and no one cometh to the Father but by Him [John14:6]. Joseph M. Stowell, author of ‘The trouble with Jesus” wrote, ‘Jesus is exclusive in his claim that He’s the only solution for man’s problem and the only way to God.’ Among religious stalwarts, Jesus is the only one who has a permanent solution to man’s moral problems. He suffered, died on the cross and conquered death through his resurrection. Christ resurrection has an exceptionally well documented historical fact and therefore is our sign and hope. The scripture records that some Pharisees and teachers of the law said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you to believe. He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for miraculous sign! But none will be given except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” In our world, are people not still asking for miracles to believe? We jump from one crusade ground to another searching for God’s power but deny God; not knowing that signs and wonders are for unbelievers.
Jesus was tortured and crucified to death in accordance with Jewish law; he gave up to ghost. [John19:7; Mark 15:25]. One of the soldiers pieced his side with a spear and a sudden gush of blood and water supported evidence of postmortem [John 19:33f]. Joseph of Arimathea, obtained permission from Pilate and carry the dead body for burial in his own new tomb [Mark 15:43-46]. The Centurion who watched Jesus died on the cross testified to his death and his personality [Mark 15:39]. The Chief Priest and Pharisees reminded Pilate that Jesus said He will rise after three days of His death. Pilate ordered the soldiers to reseal the tomb and posted more guards to secure it [Matt 27:62ff].
However the night of the first day of the week was the darkest hour, Christ was still in the tomb. The tomb was still under sealed and scarring looking soldiers keep tight security. Unseen watchers too stood a far; many who were sympathizers, mockers and bewilders whom Jesus healed or delivered from illnesses and demons. Unknown to the soldiers, the Priest and Pharisees the heavenly host surrounded the sepulcher and angels kept vigilante on the tomb. The great earthquake signaled the Council of Heaven dispatching an angel clothed in the panoply of God whose countenance and appearance was similar to lightening and his raiment white as snow. His sight and thunderous arrival caused unprecedented pandemonium; great fears and trembling shook frightened the soldiers that they became as dead men. He simply rolled back the stone that covered the mouth of the tomb and sat on it [Matt 28:2].So will God roll away all our troubles and put them under His control making them of no effect. God raised Jesus from death because it was impossible for death to keep hold of him [Acts 2:24].
That night the brightness of the angels illuminated the tomb and the inhabitance of heaven sang song of triumph and victory: Oh death where’s your victory, where is thy power to hurt? Thou hast swallowed up death in victory. God had decreed in heaven to loose the captives and no one can stop it. God had also put aside the law of mortality where death had won all in the battle of life. Jesus is the one that death could not put to silence. Those soldiers fainted and staggered like drunken men at the sight of the Risen Savior; were in disbelief of their sight when they regain consciousness. They could not help but told people what happened even before they headed to Pilate’s palace. They were the first to testify of the risen Jesus even before they were halted by the authorities. Then Caiaphas formulated a lying report that, “Jesus disciples came by night and stole him away while they slept.” There are a couple of unanswered questions concerning this insinuation. If the soldiers were asleep, how did they know who took Jesus away? How could Jesus’ disciples that locked themselves into one room because of the fear that the killers of their master could come after them summed up courage to go to the grave? Why were the disciples not prosecuted for stealing Jesus body – a state property? Where had they kept the body for 2000 years? Why were the soldiers who slept at duty post on such crucial assignment not charged and put to death? The Priest bribed the soldiers to spread false report but other evidences and witnesses could not be stopped.
Jesus possessed power to lay down his life and to take it up again. He said I shall destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up. He also said I’m the resurrection and life. Christ rose from death as the first fruit of those that slept. For if we believe that Jesus rose from death even them also which slept in Jesus will God raise with Christ [1 Thess. 4:14]. The angels remind us the Son of Man shall be delivered into the hand of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day he raised again [Luke 24:7]. As Christ rose, He brought from grave multitude of captives whom the earthquake at his death brought forth to lives. These were co-workers with God and myrthars who lost their lives for testifying to the truth of the gospel. They were raised to testify who raised them from death. Because it was impossible for death to hold onto Jesus, every impossible thing in our lives, every mountain, every situation and every un-repented demon is destroyed in the powerful name of Jesus. Therefore stop looking for the living among the dead, He’s not here, He’s risen. The empty tomb is our evidence. Go and pass on the good news.
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Evangelist Ogbonnaya, Godswill can be reached by email: gkapin53@yahoo.com