True or False?

From Bishop Martyn Minns, Missionary Bishop of the Convocation of Anglicans in North America:

We are almost there! The anniversary of the greatest event in human history is nearly upon us. I refer, of course, to Easter Day when we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. All around the world people will respond to the declaration, "Alleluia, Christ is Risen!" with the triumphant shout, "The Lord is risen indeed, Alleluia!" But is it true? Did it really happen? Or is it merely a delightful myth that connects us with the wonder of springtime after a dark and dreary winter? True or false? Which is it?

There are those that claim that such a question is in itself invalid; arguing as they do that there can be no absolutes. That they insist upon this view with such absolute assurance is a curious irony. John Dewey, American philosopher, psychologist, and educational reformer put it this way, "There is no God and there is no soul. Hence, there are no needs for the props of traditional religion. With dogma and creed excluded, then immutable truth is also dead and buried. There is no room for fixed, natural law or moral absolutes." He is not alone in his absolute convictions and yet Dewey stands on shaky ground since Jesus, the One who is the very incarnation of God, refused to stay dead and buried. His resurrection changes everything.

• The resurrection changes the way that we think about God. Now we know that the God who created the heavens and the earth, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God to whom Jesus constantly made reference is very much alive and active in the world.

• The resurrection changes the way that we think about life. Now we know that there is life beyond this life. There is still mystery to the nature of our eternal existence but now we have the assurance that nothing, not even physical death, can separate us from the love of God that we see most clearly in his Son and our Lord, Jesus Christ.

• The resurrection changes the way that we think about the Bible. Now we know that it can be trusted. The stories that seem 'out of this world' have a new ring of truth. God keeps his promises even if they go beyond what we can understand or explain. The biblical narrative is something on which we can stake our lives. It is true.

• The resurrection changes the way that we think about each other. Jesus makes it clear that the gift of salvation - that his life, death and resurrection - is for everyone not just a select few. Every human life is sacred to him and must be to us. After his resurrection he commanded his disciples to go into all the world and make disciples of all peoples. We still have a great deal of work to do.

• The resurrection also changes the way that we think about sin. The agony of Jesus' death on the cross for our sin makes clear that sin is deadly. Sin distorts and destroys the good gifts that God has given. Sin separates us from God and one another. Sin cannot be ignored. Today we enjoy enormous advances in science and technology. Many of us are privileged to live with economic abundance and yet we cannot overcome the ravages of sin. Our only hope for freedom from sin is found in the death and resurrection of Christ.

But how can we be sure that the resurrection really happened? How can we be sure that all that I have asserted is true? After his resurrection Jesus appeared to the disciples. Later he appeared to more than five hundred eyewitnesses many of whom were alive when the scriptures were recorded. He met with them; talked with them, even ate with them. It really happened. It is true. It changed their lives for ever and it changed the world for good. Hundreds of millions of Christians bear witness to this life-changing truth. "Alleluia, Christ is risen!" "The Lord is risen indeed, Alleluia!"


Editor's Note: If you're in the area, join us for joyous worship at St. Andrew's in Vestal, meeting at Memorial Park Baptist Church, 1013 Front St. Our Easter Day Eucharist will begin at 9 a.m.