Father, help us to live in you, and to have life eternal.
This is anther cornerstone of Christian belief. That Jesus lived, died and rose again the third day is probably the most important point of Christianity and to be honest I don't know of any Christian who would deny this fact.
But some people do. The end of the Gospels and Book of Act of the Apostles records some of the Jews who denied that he rose from the dead. They'd already seen Lazarus come out of the grave just a few days earlier, they'd read about the people raised by Elijah and Elisha amongst others (or should have done!) Yet even with these records the sect of the Sadducees still refused to believe in resurrection. The sect of the Pharisees did believe, yet refused to accept Jesus as the son of God. Matthew's Gospel tells us that even though they witnessed the events they were told to say "His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept." (Matt 28:13)
Why anyone would go to such a length to perpetuate a lie I don't know. Yet it happens all the time. We were discussing evolution last week and the subject of mis-information came up. People whose livelihoods depend on something will often do anything to perpetuate it. Sometimes coming up with elaborate theories can provide income, status and position that all would be lost if they turned round and admitted that their work had no grounding in fact. Sometimes people choose to believe a lie simply because of their own gratification and self-esteem.
The leaders of the Jewish faith were in such a position. To them the idea that people could come to God through someone else would mean an end to their livelihood, not to mention their status.
But that's enough of the negative, the big question is; what has this to do with us?
Paul has the answer. In 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 we read these words:
"But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming."
Christ died for two reasons -
The resurrection will be a glorious time. "They that are Christ's" can include us, it can include our friends and family. To be with Christ in his magnificent kingdom here on earth will be a perfection beyond our comprehension. It's our goal to be included in the "they that are Christ's" list.
Why did Jesus die? (and why did it have to be on a cross?)
Why didn't Jesus offer us a place in heaven or such-like?
What does resurrection mean to you?