Risen?

  The bodily resurrection of Christ – did it happen? – does it really matter? What is the big deal about Christ’s resurrection? – what does it mean for you, for me?
  If the Christ is not risen, then the Scriptures concerning the Messiah have not been fulfilled. The many Scripture references, so obviously speaking to and fulfilled by the historical Jesus of Nazareth have a huge, and dark cloud of doubt cast over them, if Christ is not risen from the dead. In other words, we cannot trust the Scriptures to be of God, and our basis for faith is flawed and irreparably compromised (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Furthermore, Jesus Christ is a fake, a charlatan, if He is not “risen as He said” (Matthew 28:6). All the words of Christ are in question. The character of Christ as a sinner just like you and me would be established, if He remained among the dead, and all hope of salvation from our sin is gone (1 Corinthians 15:14-19). We are, in fact, guaranteed no life after this one (1 Corinthians 15:32b).
  But the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ, is substantiated with many infallible proofs (Acts 1:1-3). Not only was Christ seen of the twelve, but above 500 at one time viewed and heard the risen Lord (1 Corinthians 15:5-8)! Christ was indeed flesh and bone, and remains the man, Christ Jesus, in a glorified body (Luke 24:36-40; 2 Timothy 2:5). They all were able to touch him and testified, even unto the death, that Christ had risen from the dead (1 John 1:1-3; 1 Corinthians 15:30-32a). Because Christ lives, sin and death and hell have been conquered for us, and declare plainly that He was just        (1 Corinthians 15:54-57; 1 Peter 3:18). Because Christ lives, we as believers in His death, burial and resurrection shall live with Him and be like Him (1 Corinthians 15:1-4, 51-53). The resurrection of Christ gives us boldness and confidence of the life that now is, and that which is hereafter (1 Corinthians 15:58).