Have you noticed that exclamation points have become the punctuation marks of choice in texts and social media? Writing can sound flat, but an “!” (or several of them) will add emphasis and importance to an otherwise ho-hum remark.
When it comes to Christianity, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the exclamation point to the Gospel. It is the very foundation of Christianity. Without it, the cross and all that it stands for is meaningless. There is no reconciliation with God, no redemption from sin’s curse, no atonement for sin’s penalty. Without the resurrection, the Gospel and our faith are useless, we are still in our sins, and we are to be pitied more than all people.
But today we celebrate the reality of the resurrection of Jesus. The women, the disciples and even the Roman soldiers saw the stone rolled away revealing an empty tomb. Jesus showed Himself to Mary Magdalene, ate with the disciples, and appeared to more than 500 at one time. The angel’s message was 100% true: “He has risen!” Let’s celebrate!