This is from an article I wrote for the church's newsletter in April 2025.

"The Historicity and Hope of the Resurrection"

In a few weeks, we move out of the Season of Lent into Holy Week and then the Season of Easter. We are coming to the central tenet of our faith: Jesus Christ is risen! The resurrection of Jesus is not merely a comforting metaphor or spiritual sentiment—it is a historical reality, one that changed the course of human history and continues to transform lives today.

The resurrection of Jesus is not just a matter of faith; it is rooted in historical evidence. As New Testament scholar N.T. Wright has argued extensively, the resurrection is the best explanation for the sudden and explosive growth of the early Christian movement. The disciples, who had been fearful and scattered after Jesus’ crucifixion, became bold proclaimers of His victory over death. What could account for such a transformation other than their direct encounter with the risen Christ?

In 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, Paul provides what scholars recognize as an early Christian creed, stating that Jesus appeared to Peter, to the Twelve, to more than 500 people at once, to James, and finally to Paul himself. This early testimony, written within decades of the resurrection, reflects the conviction that Jesus’ bodily resurrection was a real, historical event.

Furthermore, the empty tomb, the testimony of the women (who in the ancient world were not considered reliable witnesses), and the willingness of the apostles to suffer and die rather than deny the resurrection all point to the authenticity of their claims. If the resurrection were a fabricated story, it would not have been proclaimed in Jerusalem, where Jesus had been publicly executed. If His body had remained in the tomb, both Jewish and Roman authorities could have easily disproved the claims of the early Christians. Jesus is risen from the dead. It is a historical fact!

The resurrection of Jesus was not merely an abstract theological concept for the first Christians—it was the foundation of their hope. In a world filled with suffering, persecution, and death, they held fast to the promise that Jesus' victory over the grave was the firstfruits of what was to come for all who trust in Him (1 Corinthians 15:20).

In the face of Roman oppression, sickness, and even martyrdom, the early Church stood firm because they knew death had been defeated. As Wright points out in his seminal work The Resurrection of the Son of God, the resurrection was not about an individual escaping the physical world into a disembodied afterlife—it was about new creation, new life, and the promise of bodily resurrection for all who belong to Christ.

The resurrection of Jesus is not just ancient history; it is our present and future hope. In a world still plagued by suffering, uncertainty, and death, we cling to the promise that because Christ was raised, we too shall be raised (Romans 6:5).

When we experience loss, when we struggle with illness, or when we feel the weight of sin, we remember that Christ has already won the victory. The empty tomb assures us that death does not have the final word.

Moreover, the resurrection calls us to live as people of renewed hope and purpose. Just as the first Christians were emboldened to proclaim the Gospel, we too are called to be witnesses of the risen Christ. We do not fear the future because we know that God is making all things new (Revelation 21:5).

This Easter, I encourage you to reflect deeply on the significance of the resurrection. It is not a myth or wishful thinking—it is the foundation of our faith. As N.T. Wright has powerfully stated, "The resurrection completes the revolution that Jesus started at the cross." Because He lives, we have hope not only for eternity but for today.

Let us join together in worship and celebration, boldly proclaiming: Christ is risen!