There are many unknowns in life but two absolute certainties – we are all born and we all will die. A time when we enter into this world and a time when we leave.
There is one person however, who lived upon this earth, who similarly to everyone else died but stands unique across all humanity in that He is alive today.
I’m speaking about the Lord Jesus Christ. Did Jesus really rise from the dead?
There are few people who would deny the existence and death of a man called Jesus Christ. In fact they would be very foolish to do so, the evidence is so compelling. There are numerous accounts in the Bible where men have taken the time to write about the life of the Lord Jesus from their own experiences and witness accounts.
This is not even limited to the Bible accounts. There are both Jewish and Roman historians who have also written about Jesus’ existence, even within a few decades of His life.
What is not so widely accepted is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It takes a considerable amount of faith (belief) to accept that there is one who was raised from the dead 3 whole days after His crucifixion.
Surely there must be some sort of evidence? Surely there must be witnesses to the resurrected Christ.
In 1 Corinthians 15 we read of many witnesses. We read of people who personally encountered the risen Lord Jesus before His ascension into heaven.
We read that Jesus Christ appeared to:

• A man called Cephas.
• Twelve disciples.
• More than 500 people at once.
• James, his earthly brother.
• The apostles.
• And finally, an apostle called Paul.

We really are left with little doubt that the Lord Jesus was raised from the dead.
The resurrection is so significantly central to the Christian faith, but why?
Well in the resurrection we see God’s immense power being demonstrated. God who created life has the power over life. In the raising of His Son from the dead, we see His power over life and death.
In Matthew 16 we read the Lord Jesus speaking about the “sign of Jonah”. Here Jesus is making reference to His resurrection which was to come and claiming to be the Messiah (saviour). The Lord Jesus rising from the dead validates His claims to be the Saviour of the world.
In John 11 verse 25 we read that Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life”. In this statement Jesus was claiming to be the source of both.
Without Christ there is no eternal life. Without any resurrection there would be no future hope. Jesus does not only give life, He IS life.
John 5 verse 12 “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.”
What a stark contrast.
The result of our sin is eternal death not life.
Do you have the Son, and ultimately eternal life?
You may ask, how? How, can I have the Son?
John 11 verse 25 which we read earlier reads “I am the resurrection and the life” the verse also continues, “Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.”
So in answer to our question, how can I have eternal life? It is through belief in the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.