The Radical Result of the Resurrection

The disciples were afraid. They had given up everything, left everything behind to follow Jesus Christ. Their families, their jobs, their wealth – everything. They had placed all their hopes in him. But now Jesus was dead – crucified like a criminal. And with Jesus Christ, all the disciples’ hopes for a glorious future had died. Added to this fear and hopelessness were feelings of shame and guilt, for in the darkest hour they had abandoned their Master. One of them was Peter. The Peter who had been the first to understand that Jesus was the Christ. The Peter who was such a close friend of Jesus. The Peter who had wanted to follow him to the death. In the end, he had denied him. What would become of him and the other disciples now? On a single day, the day of Jesus’ death, their lives, just as they had imagined, had collapsed.

But then the unbelievable happened: Jesus Christ rose from the dead and conquered death. The tomb was empty! This incredible news spread first among the frightened disciples, who could hardly believe it themselves, and later, like wildfire, throughout the world: The Lord has truly risen (cf. Luke 24:34)! And with Jesus Christ, all the disciples’ hopes were resurrected. On a single day, the day of Jesus’ resurrection, their lives changed forever.

Jesus’ resurrection is the moment in world history that changed everything. Not only for his disciples at that time, but also for you and me.

Christians are born again to a hope, or “into” a hope. In other words, rebirth brings with it a hope for the future. Life as a Christian therefore has an even greater purpose. For God has not only given us new life in this world, but he will also share in his immeasurable riches and inheritance that he has prepared for us in heaven.

There are voices within the Church who say it’s irrelevant whether there was a resurrection. Some have famously written, “I would still be a Christian even if it were proven that there was no resurrection. Christianity has made me a better person, and it has made the world a better place.” Some scholars argue that the encounters with Jesus after the crucifixion are merely mythical stories designed to encourage the early church.

Paul rejects all of this emphatically. If Christ had not risen, he says, the consequences would be dire: “But if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We would also be found to be false witnesses against God, because we would have testified against God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise, since the dead do not rise” (1 Corinthians 15:14-15). If Christ’s resurrection didn’t happen, none of this has any meaning. But if there was a resurrection, then everything else becomes possible: Lazarus could be raised, people can be healed, sins can be removed, heaven can be real. This is resurrection power—and it gives us what Paul calls our “blessed hope”: “…looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).

Christ Jesus is a living Savior, and he gives us true, steadfast peace that frees us from all fear. He breathes his own Spirit into us and empowers us to be his witnesses. And he gives us the privilege of sharing his good news—the blessed hope—with all those who are lost and live in fear. This is the radical result of the resurrection!

Perhaps the resurrection is the real reason why 784,000 Australians re-confessed to Christianity in the 2021 Census. But this increase is the real surprise and proves that the Christian faith is not dead.

Our new fellow Catholics, who were received into full Catholic communion last night through Baptism, Confirmation and their first reception of the Eucharist, profess this hope. We congratulate: Grace Jiang, Susan Joy Johnson, John Andrew Richard Connell, Yong Hao Luo and Gary Frank Margetson.

We also thank their sponsors and especially Monica O’Callaghan and Brad Fossey who have accompanied our newly baptized throughout the weeks of preparation.

Together with our Parish office team, Fr Thomas, Monica and Betty, I wish you all a blessed and happy Easter.

Fr Joe