“Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they said among themselves, ‘Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?’
“But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.
“But he said to them, ‘Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.’”
Mark 16:1-7 NKJV
I know the reality of resurrection power.
When the Lord called me to Wesley Biblical Seminary in 2013, many believed WBS to have died. I attended the commencement ceremony on May 4, 2013. Thirty-nine graduates celebrated the completion of their studies. Longtime friends and employees feared that their legacy was at an end, and their mission disrupted. For many, the commencement ceremony doubled as a funeral service. The black robes of dignity symbolized mourning.
But God was calling together a team of people of faith who believed in the power of the resurrection. Five years later, Wesley Biblical Seminary is robust and effective in her mission. Ninety-three percent of debt is resolved. In five years, over 50 additional graduates will have received diplomas from WBS. May 11, 2018, the first cohort of doctoral students will be rewarded with diplomas. Vision, innovation, an entrepreneurial spirit, and faith abound.
I believe in resurrection. I have witnessed 21st century resurrection from the dead.
But my belief in resurrection reality is not based upon my limited observation and experience. Oh yes, we hear resurrection stories about how God has brought people and even organizations back from the dead. I believe in resurrection life and power because I believe in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the only human being who ever raised Himself from the dead. But Jesus is very God and very man. He raised Himself from death. He became victor over death. He descended into Hell and seized the keys of Hell and death.
Jesus believes in life.
I have seen the power of resurrection life in my parents. Mom asked Jesus into her heart as a child. Dad did so as well. They have lived their lives deliberately and on purpose for Jesus Christ. They raised four children with intention. They made the Christ-life, the cruciform life, so appealing that I wanted to live it too. By God's grace, I have. I believe in resurrection life and power because of my parents' life and witness.
Our son, Nathan, is a pastor on staff at a Wesleyan church in Michigan. The church has a culture of intentionality regarding witnessing and genuine Christian conversion. Each week that someone is converted through the ministry of the church, a candle is lit on the platform. The candle lighting is always accompanied with celebration and applause. They believe in life.
Dead has been raised to life. I believe in life. I believe in resurrection.
He is risen, indeed!
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