We may be weak and utterly helpless, unable to resist temptation for a single minute. But He is strong, and He lives to give help and deliverance in every moment of our days. Victory isn’t a question of my strength, but of His power. His power is what I need.
Torrey, whom I have just quoted, tells a story that illustrates this point. He tells of four men who were once climbing up the most difficult face of the Matterhorn. There was a guide, a tourist, a second guide, and a second tourist, all roped together. As they went over a particularly difficult place, the lower tourist lost his footing and went over the side. The sudden pull on the rope carried the lower guide with him, and he carried the other tourist along also. Three men were now dangling over the cliff. But the guide who was in the lead, feeling the first pull upon the rope, drove his ax into the ice, braced his feet, and held fast. The first tourist then regained his footing, the guide regained his, and the lower tourist followed. They then went on and up in safety.
So it is in this life. As the human race ascended the icy cliffs of life, the first Adam lost his footing and tumbled headlong over the abyss. He pulled the next man after him, and the next, and the next, until the whole race hung in deadly peril. But the second Adam, the Lord Jesus Christ, kept His footing. He stood fast. Thus, all who are united to Him by a living faith are secure and can regain the path.
Finally, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is also unshakeable evidence for our own resurrection and of a life with Jesus in glory beyond the grave. Jesus said, when He was here on earth, “I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:2-3). He is preparing that place now.
Can we trust Him? Was He telling the truth? If the resurrection vindicates His other sayings, then it vindicates these as well; and the Christian, you and I who believe in Him, can receive them with confidence. The end of this life is not a question mark; it is Jesus. We shall be with Him.
I have given three good reasons why the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the best news this world ever heard: 1) it is true; 2) it came after an apparent defeat; and 3) what it proves. But there is a fourth reason also. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is good news because it demands a life-saving response in faith from each of us. Have you responded in faith to this one who died for you and rose again on that far-off first Easter morning?
You know, there is some news that is by its very nature restricted. It applies to one or two individuals, but not to everybody. A promotion is good news to the man who receives it, but not to the two or three others who failed to get the job. The results of an election are good news to the winning party, but not to the losing party. Even a report of a reduction of federal taxes is good only to those who pay taxes or who live in the country where the reduction is to take place. Almost all human news is restricted. But the good news of the resurrection is for all.
What is your relationship to the risen Lord? Have you heard the good news? Have you believed it? Have you trusted in Him? This is the heart of Christianity. It is not to be found in the liturgies of the churches, nor in the specific formulations of Christian theology, important as they may be. Christianity is Christ, the risen Christ. He died and rose again for you. Won’t you come to Him?
Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest for your souls” (Matt. 11:28-29).
