Christianity points to the resurrection of Jesus Christ as the basis of hope that, after death, individuals who have lived selflessly in service to God and to their fellow men will be likewise resurrected to everlasting life in an exalted state.
Ever since the existence of sin in the world, death has been an inevitable reality that humanity has never been able to accept gracefully. The sense of loss and final separation at the passing of loved ones never ceases to bring grief within the human family. Persons look with fear at the prospect of their own demise, taking as many precautions as lie within their power to postpone this eventuality. Yet, notwithstanding the burglar bars, security fences, defensive and offensive weapons, hospitals and myriad human inventions, death can be at best postponed and only for a limited time, the duration of which can scarcely be considered as being under our control.
First-century writers have testified that Jesus was seen alive on the third day after his death and appeared in the presence of many persons for a period of 40 days thereafter. Such record has been provided not only by biblical writers. Other secular writers such as Flavius Josephus, have given similar testimony. Unless there is credible evidence (which has not been forthcoming until now), that such testimonies were fabricated, there is no legitimate ground to reject the testimony of witnesses. It certainly cannot be rejected on the basis that it is impossible except persons are prepared to say that there is no God or that such an act is beyond the power of God to accomplish.
If God raised His Son Jesus Christ from the dead, then it is not unreasonable to accept the promise that we will likewise be raised if we believe and live righteously. If there was no resurrection and all there is to life is what we experience in our present lifetime, what basis exists for individuals to refrain from resorting to the most foul means even, to ensure that they get wealth, pleasure, power and all that they think might make for satisfaction here and now? It cannot be denied that many persons who try to be fair have suffered greatly, been denied justice and have had untimely and ignominious deaths, while others who seem to trample on those who are vulnerable and break virtually every rule of fairness seem to prosper in the present world order.
As a basis for peace and harmony Jesus admonished: "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you" (Matthew 5:44). Indeed, were such principles universally practised, there would be no disharmony anywhere, as everyone would seek the good of each other and would rather suffer than cause suffering. However, in a world where selfishness abounds, the upholders of such principles may seem to suffer and even die prematurely as was the experience of Jesus Himself. Yet, even in the face of death, rather than calling 10,000 angels to deliver Him and destroy His enemies, He prayed: "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34).
To human eyes it may seem that He died as a fool. But, God honoured Him by raising Him from the dead (Galatians 1:1) and has "highly exalted Him" (Philipians 2:9). Such is the message and meaning of the resurrection, that God, who sees and knows all things, is faithful and will not fail to honour those who put their trust in Him and live unselfishly for the good of others.
Colin A. Gyles is Founder of God's Love Ministry.
BAHA'I
Nicola Johnson, contributor
Baha'is believe that Jesus' resurrection from the interior of the earth is symbolic. It is a spiritual and divine fact, and not material (i.e. bodily); and likewise His ascension to Heaven is a spiritual and not material ascension.
This for the Baha'is means that Jesus' resurrection is spiritual and divine, and also that He in fact 'ascended' spiritually to Heaven. 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Interpreter and Exemplar of the Baha'i Faith, goes back to the Bible to explain this point. In 'Some Answered Questions' (a compilation of talks given by 'Abdu'l-Bahá 'at table' between 1905 and 1906), he says:
"...it is clearly stated in many places in the Gospel that the Son of man came from heaven, He is in heaven, and He will go to heaven. So in chapter 6, verse 38, of the Gospel of John it is written: "For I came down from heaven"; and also in verse 42 we find: "And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?" This is with reference to St. John, chapter 3, verse 13: "And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but He that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven."
So Christ came down from Heaven, although we know for a fact that He was born from the womb of the Virgin Mary. He did not 'descend' from the sky that night, but rather He was born in Bethlehem. Nevertheless, He did come from Heaven, and return (i.e. ascend) to Heaven.
Now, the resurrection of Christ is admittedly a trickier topic than His birth, for the Gospels tell us that He was 'seen' of the disciples, including Thomas (the doubter) who declared he would not believe until he had seen it for himself... Pause for a minute please, to reflect that some of the 'unbelievers' in Jesus' time did not believe He was the Messiah, because He was supposed to 'come from Heaven'...whereas He was born of Mary....
Could it be that the 'seeing' which the disciples (and Saint Paul too, who said 'last of all He was seen of me also') experienced was not a physical fact, but a spiritual and divine fact?
On the subject of Christ's resurrection, Abdu'l-Bahá also said " the meaning of Christ's resurrection is as follows: the disciples were troubled and agitated after the martyrdom of Christ. The Reality of Christ, which signifies His teachings, His bounties, His perfections and His spiritual power, was hidden and concealed for two or three days after His martyrdom, and was not resplendent and manifest. No, rather it was lost, for the believers were few in number and were troubled and agitated. The cause of Christ was like a lifeless body; and when after three days the disciples became assured and steadfast, and began to serve the cause of Christ, and resolved to spread the divine teachings, putting His counsels into practice, and arising to serve Him, the Reality of Christ became resplendent and His bounty appeared; His religion found life; His teachings and His admonitions became evident and visible. In other words, the Cause of Christ was like a lifeless body until the life and the bounty of the Holy Spirit surrounded it."
In 1st Corinthians Chapter 15 from verse 12 to verse 34, Paul makes the link between the resurrection of Christ, and the resurrection of His followers. He says "if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain".
