Last week the History Channel started a six part, twelve hour series about the history of humanity. I've always enjoyed history and so I've been looking forward to the series for the past few weeks. Today I'm watching the second part, and the beginning caught me by surprise. Part two began with the crucifixion.
As i think about it I don't know why I'm surprised, we're talking about a man who has influenced billions of lives over the last two thousand years, so it only makes sense that they would spend a few brief moments talking about Jesus. But all they talk about is his death by crucifixion, that didn't surprise me.
For the History Channel Christianity is the result of the crucifixion. Billions of people have committed their lives to a dead man who was brutally murdered. While martyrs do inspire followers of their cause, I don't know if any have continued to inspire almost two millennium after their death.
The crucifixion is an essential part of Christianity, but it is not the most essential part. It is important, but it is not the most important. Christianity does not hinge on the crucifixion, and Christianity is not based on the crucifixion. Because as the Bible tells us if all we have is the crucifixion, our faith is useless.
Even the early followers of Jesus had given up after they had seen Him killed. In Luke 24 we find two headed to Emmaus in defeat. Those who have stuck around in Jerusalem are hiding behind locked doors because they are afraid they are next. But then something happens that changes everything. Men who head home in despair return to Jerusalem to celebrate. Those who have gone into hiding begin to boldly proclaim the message publicly.
If Christ is dead that change isn't going to take place. If Christ is dead there is still no hope because the source of that hope was dead. If Christ is dead then faith is useless. The foundation of Christianity is not on the crucifixion, but in the Resurrection.
"But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins." 1 Corinthians 15.13-17.
The crucifixion is nothing without the Resurrection. The Resurrection of Jesus is what Christianity is all about. Christianity only means something if Jesus has been raised to live, because they ultimate hope of Christianity is new life with God after death. If Christ has not been raised to life, then there is no new life for any of us.
Christianity comes down to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Billions of lives have been transformed because God became man, died on a cross, and rose from the dead conquering sin, death, and Hell forever. It's all about the Resurrection.
The History Channel, to no surprise, left all of this out. And as I'm watching the rest of the episode their idea of the point of Christianity is mistaken. It isn't about people getting what the deserve, the wicked being punished and those who accept Jesus as Lord and Savior being blessed. It's about entering into a relationship with the risen Jesus, and in that receiving new life. It's all about the Resurrection.
"I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread."
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
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