Ευαγγ?λιο (Evangélio) - good news
“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time,” 1 Corinthians 15:3-7
I’ve overlooked it, misjudged its significance, and under appreciated its power for far too long. It is the single most important thing that has ever occurred in the history of the universe, the most interesting event from start to finish, and the most awe-inspiring beautiful picture of all time: the resurrection of Jesus.
If Jesus never rose from the grave, then our faith is worthless. If Jesus didn’t rise then we are still dead in our sins (1 Corinthians 15:17). It is the resurrection that brings to completion the life of Christ. Its the resurrection that proves Jesus is the Messiah. Some believe it to be fact and some believe it to be fiction, but regardless of opinion and belief imagine if it indeed was true. If God himself came down to earth, died, and then rose from the dead, what could be as significant as that? If we look at life in light of the resurrection nothing else fares. A career, a family, friendships, money, success, what does the pursuit of it get us? But the risen Christ, arms wide open with salvation on hand, thats what we should be living for. If Jesus really did come back to life, then what excuse could we possibly come up with for not devoting our whole lives to him? This is the gospel, the good news, yet we save our excitement for Easter Sunday service. What is the correct response?
ZEAL : eagerness and ardent interest in pursuit of something : FERVOR
A consistent and abiding zeal for the Lord is the only right reaction to the gospel. All of this world wants to tell us that religion should only be a part of our lives, if at all. I say forget that. We have been brought into the kingdom of God by the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ and we are now sons and daughters of the Most High. Our God is ALIVE, how can we react with minimal excitement to news like that? I like to imagine that I was one of the 12 disciples. I followed Jesus throughout his whole ministry, I saw all that he did, and I witnessed him crucified. I experience nothing but despair. When I hear that he is alive, overwhelming joy floods my heart. I would run, I would scream, and I would tell everyone I encountered about it. I would dedicate my life to making him known as they did. That’s how we should live our lives in light of the resurrection. Not in apathy or indifference, but in ZEAL.
