Easter: The Vindication of Jesus

We live in a day when ‘truth’ has fallen on hard times. Back in the day, even if folks did not know what the truth was, they assumed it was out there to be found. Many people today, however, assume that truth is relative. Something can be true for one person, but may not be for another.

Even though this philosophy is held by people all around us, it is dead wrong.

There is absolute truth. The fact that you have not found it, or have rejected it and chosen believe something else does not alter the truthfulness of the truth. You may say, “Gravity is true for you, but it does not work for me.” That will not change the fact that if you jump up as high as you can—you will come down again.

During the earthly life of Jesus Christ, people responded differently to him and his message. A few folks believed in Jesus. Some people loved is miracles and some of is teachings, but refused to commit themselves to him (John 6:52-66). Others were curious about him, but remained aloof (John 3:1-15). Still others, the majority of the Jews, ultimately rejected Jesus (Acts 2:22, 23).

Those who rejected him hated him so much that they put Jesus to death by the hands of the ruling Romans. They stirred up the crowds to pursuade the reluctant Roman leader Pontius Pilate to have him crucified. Crucifixion was the torturous means of putting to death the scum of the earth. A Roman citizen, no matter how evil, could not be killed in that fashion.

Today people do not have the option of putting Jesus to death again physically. But people today who hear about Jesus from Christians, or who read about the things Jesus said and did in the Bible respond in the same sorts of ways as those in the first century.

Those that see the truthfulness of Jesus’ words, which were attested to by his mighty miracles, turn from their lifestyles of rejecting him and become his followers. According to his teaching, all of the violations of God’s laws they have committed are forgiven. Because of Jesus’ death on the cross, God treats those who believe in his Son as if they were as righteous as Jesus himself was. God can justly do that because he treated Jesus as if he had committed their sins, as he was dying on the cross.

Others who hear this good news about Jesus, however, respond differently. Some enjoy the ethical teachings of Jesus, and even like being around clean-living Christians instead of wild friends. When it comes time to commit their lives to Jesus, however, they refuse. Oh sure, they may even believe some of the facts about Jesus, but he does not work well enough for them, so they refuse commitment to him.

Some people quietly reject Jesus. They think that he may be AN option to consider, but merely on the same level as Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, or other religions.

Still others are not so quiet. As long as Christians keep to themselves, these people tolerate them and the Jesus they follow. But just as soon as a Christian suggests that they also need to follow Jesus, they lash out against such an idea. In other parts of the world such hostile people even kill the Christians that bring the message. Since they can not physically hurt or kill Jesus, they do the next best thing, inflict his messengers with bodily harm.

Is it true that Christianity is just another religious option? Is there a difference between Jesus Christ, Mohammed, and Buddha? Are the teachings of Jesus true for some people but not necessarily for others? Does it really matter what you believe as long as you are truly sincere?

The reason why Jesus Christ and his teachings are not just a religious option, but the absolute truth is the fact that Jesus rose from the dead. Easter is not just a time to get dressed up in fancy dresses and bonnets; it is when Christians celebrate the fundamental distinctive of Christianity.

The fact that Jesus is alive authenticates everything that he taught. All of his other miracles are meaningless apart from his resurrection. His death was no mere good example of self-sacrifice, it was the once for all sacrifice for sins (Hebrews 9:28). Anyone and everyone who calls upon him in repentance and faith will be forgiven!

So when Jesus says he is the only way a person can have access to God (John 14:6), you have to believe him. When he says he is the truth (John 14:6), you may not question him. When he says that if you do not honor him, you cannot honor God the Father (John 6:22-24), you had better begin honoring Jesus! Why? Why? Why? Why can’t I just believe what I want to believe, and you just leave me be?

Because Jesus was killed by those who rejected him. But three days later he rose from the dead! He is who he said he was. He words are true and filled with all of the authority of the Living God. If you reject him and his words, you are putting your fist in the face of Eternal God. He will condemn you for all of eternity in the lake of fire!

But since Jesus is alive, we can know with confidence that God accepted his sacrifice on the cross. Therefore, if you are still rejecting Jesus, you can be forgiven, having your sins covered by his bloody death, and having his righteousness credited to you.

Read the Bible (start in Mark). Read about who Jesus is and what he did. The Bible is true. The message of Jesus is true. Not only did he claim to be the truth, he backed it up with proof! Our world is lying when it says there is no absolute truth. Fight against the lies of our day by trusting in the one and only Resurrected One!