Name One
Through the course of ministry at times someone has come up to me and said, “Everyone thinks that this or that is a bad idea.” This report often comes from a self-appointed champion of the way “things ought to be done.”
A good retort to such a report is, “Name one.” (The punch line is that normally the only one really against the thing is the one reporting.)
In Tim Keller’s book The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism he includes a wonderful chapter on the resurrection of Jesus. He offers a number of good reasons for why the resurrection of Jesus ought to be believed. While none of this is original with Keller, he puts things about as clearly as anyone does. Among the reasons to believe that Jesus REALLY rose from the dead are:
- Paul encouraged people to talk to one of 500 eyewitnesses. Who would do that if they did not exist?
- Women were the first witnesses. No self-respecting ancient would report it that way unless it was true.
- The account of the resurrection did not develop slowly in parts but was reported out in full detail.
- If people were to make something up, it is unlikely it would have been a resurrected body. That was not on the radar in those days.
- The fact that both an empty tomb AND a physical sighting argues for authenticity.
- And… as Pascal says.. quoted by Keller, “I believe those witnesses who get their throats cut.”
The punch line of the chapter is, “If Jesus really rose from the dead, it changes everything.”
Okay, name one.
As you get ready to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus this coming Holy Week and gather by faith again at the empty tomb, name or consider what indeed the resurrection of Jesus really changes in your life.
Don’t let Easter leave you the same. It changed the lives of the disciples. It changed the estimation of the dignity of individuals. It changed attitudes about money, power and servanthood. It changed the notion of life and death. It changed the course of human history.
It changed everything
And now your life. This year. This celebration of Easter. If it changes everything, what is one more thing might change in your life.
Think. Pray. Reflect.
And then… name one.