If Only for This Life

The events which transpired on this day almost 2000 years ago are the reason why I am willing to get on a plane on Wednesday and fly across the world to live in Africa.

I believe that Jesus Christ was a real, historical person whose real, historical events are recorded in the New Testament. He was not simply a spiritual leader, or a good man, or a wise sage. He claimed to be the Son of God, and I believe He was.

I believe that Jesus was killed by the Jews and the Romans, was buried, and came to life again three days later, on what we celebrate now as Easter Sunday.

Yep. I believe it is all historical fact. Many will think that puts me into the looney bin category. I understand that. And please don’t think that I haven’t wrestled and thought and researched and read just about everything I could get my hands on for this subject. This was not a blind decision or something I just “felt” was right. It came as a result of much mental turmoil. But I am truly convinced.

And that’s important. Because if Christ was not resurrected from the dead, I am wasting my life. If it was all just a fairy tale made up by delusional men, or only a “spiritual metaphor,” then there is absolutely no point to us tearing our children away from their grandparents, to leaving the comforts of home, to looking away from lucrative job opportunities, and giving our lives to people in Africa.

If Christ was not resurrected from the dead, I am an absolute fool. Please, don’t patronize me by thinking that I am just a “good person” who is going to do “good things.” If Jesus Christ never existed, or if He wasn’t who He said He was, or if He never died and rose again, I give you complete permission to call me a fool.

The apostle Paul himself wrote, If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.

Indeed.

But if it is true, then that changes everything. Right?

I stake my life on it.

He is risen; He is risen indeed!

And that is why I am getting on that plane.