Resurrection on Trial

Acts 24 

Let’s get straight to the heart of the matter: Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. It’s a matter of life and death.

If Jesus did not rise from the grave then Christianity is the greatest sham the world has ever seen. Our so-called “faith” is worthless, and we are the sorriest, most misguided, hopeless and gullible people on the face of the planet. You may as well engrave a big “L” on our foreheads – Losers!

On the other hand, if Jesus Christ did rise from the grave, if He truly conquered sin and death forever, as the Bible declares, then the multitudes who reject Jesus are the real losers. The victorious ones are those who believe that Jesus died in their place on the cross, that He rose from the dead, and that by His grace through faith we’ll also live with Him forever!

So did He, or didn’t He? That’s the issue for which Paul stands on trial before Governor Felix. That’s the issue for which he was imprisoned, beaten, stoned, mocked and ultimately killed. That’s the issue for which Jesus’ disciples gave their own lives, as well. It makes all the difference in the world.

Despite far-fetched claims to the contrary, the resurrection of Jesus confirms Him as the Son of God and gives hope and joy and peace to all who trust Him for eternal salvation. “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live” (John 11:25).