The Resurrection is the foundation of my hope. If Jesus was some dead philosopher I would just take from what He said and pick and choose the part that would contribute to my life and discard the rest. My hope would still be in my own cleverness.
"For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive." 1 Cor 15:16-22 ESV
The fact that Jesus is alive from the dead... bodily alive and in a different category than any other man changes the stakes. Christ's words and actions are in a class all by themselves.
Even great men of the ages that led humble spiritually fruitful lives are not raised from the dead the way Christ was.
"So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable." 1 Cor 15:42 ESV
Christ not only came 'back to life' He rose from the grave never to die again having conquered death and the grave having power and authority as a man that no man has ever had. He walked through walls and shrugged of demons.
In this age even Godly men who die don't see this kind of bodily Resurrection. In a sinful world we might make the mistake of making men and their subtle errors equal with Christ if that were true. Men and women die and are hidden from our eyes. Whatever errors they made are hidden also.
It is right that Christ be at the forefront. It is right order that it is Christ and Christ alone that is magnified. He is our life... He is our Hope. He did the work and our faith is fixed on the one who has passed from death into life and find that what He did has power to touch into my present life and future.
We limit the Resurrection to Sunday morning but it transcends time and space. The Resurrection touches every moment of faith because it is outside of time. It is finished was spoken over all humanity at once because Jesus was the representative of all humanity when it happened.
When Adams sinned God looked across time and saw all of His seed wither and die. When Christ was raised He made all who would believe on Him to glow with life all at once like a field of flowers opening to the sunshine together.
"Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven. I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable." 1 Cor 15:49-50 ESV
One day our bodies will reflect that new life. In a time when no one will confused a man raised from the dead with the Savior with nail scarred hands. Until then it is right that only one man would be alive like He is alive.
Christianity isn't picking and choosing the best ideas... it is life from death. That message has hope.
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