For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (John 3:16-17)
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36)
With the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the colonies had drawn a line in the sand. Both sides now knew war was inevitable. The document produced in Philadelphia ranks as one of the most important documents in Western Civilization. The words spoken by Christ in John chapter three were a proclamation that changed the course of history and has eternal consequences.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of Christianity. Paul tells us that if the resurrection did not happen, our faith is in vain. There have been many attempts to dispute this historical fact, the stolen body theory, the swoon theory, to the replacement theory. However, all of these theories crumble and fall on closer examination. There is one other theory that shows to what extreme scholars will go to try to refute the truth. The dogs beneath the cross theory is stated by John Dominic Crossan, a member of the Jesus Seminar. The term Jesus Seminar is misleading; it is more like a Jesus Smear Session hosted by unbelievers. According to Crossan, dogs and wild animals consumed the body of Christ. This bizarre idea is because when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem in A.D. 69 and 70 they had mass executions and the bodies were left to rot. Crossan is guilty of tunnel vision. The mass executions took place during a time of war; Jesus was crucified during a time of peace. The Jews would have buried the body based on Deuteronomy 21:22-23, especially on the eve of a religious festival. Roman law required Pilate to hand the bodies over to the Jews. When you include these two facts, Mark 15:43-45 makes sense. Another of Satan’s lies is shattered by the power resurrection.
The stone was not rolled away to let Christ out, but to let people in and see that Christ was no longer there. They could see for themselves and then spread the message of the resurrection. The women were the last was ones standing at the foot of the cross, and the first one to discover that Christ was alive. They were the first to share the good news. A testimony backed by the power of the Holy Spirit is more effective than one presented as a sales talk. Many religions have a code of ethics, along with scriptures, but only Christianity has a God that entered history. The fact of the resurrection can give us hope no matter what happens. Because Christ conquered death, we can know that death is not the end.
The final copy of the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776. Fifty-six men signed the document. The flair of John Hancock is probably the most famous signature. At the age of seventy, Benjamin Franklin was the oldest and at twenty-six Edward Rutledge was the youngest. Two future presidents were among the signees, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. When we sign the words of Christ from John chapter three with our hearts that becomes not our Independent Day, but our Dependent Day, we are free of sin, but dependent on Christ. The power displayed at the empty tomb is in the hearts of all Christians. As we celebrate Easter, let us remember the price Christ paid for our sins, and the victory of the empty tomb.
