Some Easter "what-ifs"

     I want to challenge your Biblical memory about the story of Easter as it is found in the Bible.
     We have all seen movies about people who find some means of going back in time to change something about the future.  The basic story line is always that if you change any one thing in the past, it inevitably changes the future.
     Try on these “what-ifs” with the story of the Passion of Jesus and see what you think would change:

  • What if Jesus had not ridden into Jerusalem (Matthew 21) but had stayed in Bethpage and Bethany?
  • What if Jesus had accepted the applause of the people on Palm Sunday and had taken over as the long awaited King?
  • What if Jesus had not gone to Gethsemane (Matthew 26)?  He could have gone somewhere else.  Then that legion of soldiers would have had the wrong address and Judas would have looked like a fool.
  • What if Jesus had resisted arrest there?  He could have.
  • What if Jesus had called the 60,000 angels like he said he could?
  • What if Jesus would have defended himself to Pilate (Matthew 27)?
  • What if he had shown a miracle to Herod as requested?
  • What if Jesus had come down from the cross?  The religious leaders taunted him and challenged him to do so.
  • What if he had not stayed until he was able to say “It is Finished” (John 19:30)?
  • What if Jesus had not come back to life again?
     Depending on the particular possibility you are considering, things may have not changed significantly.  Perhaps the soldiers would have still found him.  Maybe they would have chased him down until the deed was done.
     But change some of those (affecting his death or resurrection) and everything changes.  Quite simply, we would be lost.  In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul describes everything we do as believers as empty if the resurrection is not true.  He emphasizes that, of all people on earth, we are the most to be pitied if the resurrection is false.
     I’m not going to take time here to give the proofs of the resurrection.  I’m simply going to remind you, as Paul said: “but Christ has indeed been raised from the dead!”  I revel in it.  I rejoice in it.  I glory in it!
     We cannot exaggerate the importance of the celebration we will enjoy on April 8th this year.  The resurrection is the foundation of our hope.  Jesus is alive.  He suffered, died and rose again so that I could have a relationship with God through Jesus.  I will be grateful forever.  If you are his, you will too.
     Happy Resurrection Day (a few days early) everyone.

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