Ponder: Is there a wrong time to preach the resurrection of Jesus?
Scripture: “This Jesus God raised up, of which we are all witnesses” (Acts 2:32, NKJV).
What to do with Easter! Informed people know the Bible gives no indication the early church observed an annual celebration on the anniversary of Jesus’ resurrection. Even if they had done so, giving the holiday the name of a pagan goddess would have been out of the question. Yet most of Christendom and even some of the unbelieving world think of Easter as a “Christian” holiday celebrating the resurrection of Christ. Should we unleash a torrent of invectives blasting them to torment? Or should we “go along and get along?” I recommend a course between those extremes.
Preaching about the virgin birth on December 25 doesn’t mean we think that’s the day Jesus was born or that Christmas is a “Christian” holiday. Likewise preaching about the resurrection this coming April 5 doesn’t mean we think Easter is a “Christian” holiday. Since there are so many who don’t know the truth about the virgin birth or the resurrection, why not take advantage of the opportunity to proclaim what the Bible actually teaches about those monumental events?
I will happily affirm that there is no wrong time to preach the resurrection of Jesus (or His virgin birth, for that matter). The apostles’ preaching in the book of Acts is saturated with affirmations of Jesus’ resurrection. It is a foundational truth; without it there is no Gospel!
Rather than bitterly denouncing people’s mistaken ideas about the resurrection, why not start where they are and lead them to the truth?
Hymn: “Low In The Grave He Lay”
Prayer: Father in heaven, we are thankful to serve a risen Savior. May we proclaim Jesus and the resurrection at every opportunity! In His name, Amen.
–Joe Slater
