The Resurrection Changed Everything!

Question: What do you believe the greatest danger is to the human race?

I have listened to many on this, and many answers sound right. The first one is, “Hell”. I would agree that is the worst OUTCOME for a human being, but I am talking about the greatest danger – active issue – in the human race.

Let me share my thoughts, Nathan 1:1 – not Scripture but opinion. Let me do that by looking at three individuals.

Judas

Matthew 26:49–50 Immediately Judas went to Jesus and said, “Hail, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.  And Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you have come for.”

Matthew 27:3–5 Then Judas…threw the pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary and departed; and he went away and hanged himself.

Notice- Judas had nowhere to turn. He ignored Jesus reaching out to him…”Friend” and so he was left with only the condemnation of his actions!

Peter

Luke 22:54–62 So they arrested him and led him to the high priest’s home. And Peter followed at a distance... A servant girl noticed him in the firelight and began staring at him. Finally she said, “This man was one of Jesus’ followers!” But Peter denied it. “Woman,” he said, “I don’t even know him!” After a while someone else looked at him and said, “You must be one of them!” “No, man, I’m not!” Peter retorted. About an hour later someone else insisted, “This must be one of them, because he is a Galilean, too.” But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind…And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly.

John 18:10 Simon Peter then, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear; and the slave’s name was Malchus.

Notice – Peter drew a sword in the garden and was willing to die for Jesus right there!

Thomas 

John 20:24–29…Thomas, was not with the others when Jesus came. They told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.” Eight days later…this time Thomas was with them…Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed. Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”

John 11:13–16…So Jesus then said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe; but let us go to him.” Therefore Thomas…said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, so that we may die with Him.”

Notice, Thomas knew that going back over the Jordan could cost Christ His life, but he exhorted his brothers to go and die with Him.

I believe the one issue was Hope! Judas had no hope because he ignored God! Peter and Thomas when with a live Savior could be brave, but when it looked like He was doomed or dead, their courage failed! Look how the resurrection changed everything! Peter preaches and thousands get saved, and he tells the Sanhedrin to “stick it” (my words) and that he will speak as God leads, not as they tell him to. Early Church History testifies to the fact that Thomas was martyred witnessing in India! The difference? HOPE! The resurrection changes everything. Physical death is not the end. Eternal Living makes the temporal just a hiccup in the reality of life!

The So What: What is your hope? Is it tied to a government or an economy? Does your hope flow from what Hollywood elites think are important? Does your hope come from how much you have in the bank?  The resurrection proves that hope can go beyond the grave. BUT you must decide for yourself where your hope lies! Trust in Christ- His resurrection is the only Hope this temporal world knows!