What is the absolute best news you’ve ever heard? “YES!” to your marriage proposal. “You’re going to be a mom/dad.” “It’s a boy/girl.” “Welcome to the firm.” “Your debt has been erased.” “We’re going to Hawaii!”
While all of that sounds wonderful, it’s not the best news that has ever been shared.
“Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. (2) And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. (3) And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. (4) And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: (5) And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? (6) He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, (7) Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.” (Luke 24:1-7)
Just yesterday, all hope was gone. Emotions were numb. Disappointment controlled the narrative. To go from the lowest point of all to the highest point of all in the matter of seconds has got to be the best news we’ve ever heard.
Jesus IS alive. Jesus HAS risen.
Perhaps you would say that the best news you’ve ever heard is that Jesus loves you, His plan of salvation is for you, and that when you trusted Jesus as Savior, you were saved, forgiven, and made a child of God. I totally agree. That is awesome news – news that I hope everyone reading this could share. But notice something Paul says.
“But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: (14) And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. (15) Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. (16) For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: (17) And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. (18) Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. (19) If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” (1 Corinthians 15:13-19)
Before the message of salvation could be Good News, there had to be the message that Jesus is ALIVE and RISEN from the dead. Otherwise, there would be no message of salvation.
Take some time alone with the Lord on this Easter Sunday morning and try to imagine what it must have been like to go to that empty tomb. Sense the joy and excitement as this news was shared. Worship the Lord. Then take this worshipful point and let it be the catalyst to announce to others that Jesus is risen.
