Magyar Egyház, 1973 (52. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1973-04-01 / 4. szám
8 MAGYAR EGYHÁZ MAGYAR CHURCH CHRIST IS RISEN . . . “Note is Christ risen from the dead.” —I Corinthians 15:20 The resurrection of Jesus Christ has filled the hearts and minds of millions of people from one end of the world to the other. Thousands of churches were built to worship the risen Savior, millions of books fill libraries all over the globe which were written ahout the teachings of the Good Master, His life and His church here on earth. Disciples who lived during the past centuries loved Him and followed the Lord and died martyrs deaths for their faith. Even today people sing the glorious hymns of His victory over death. Indeed, the Easter message, that Christ is risen from the dead is universally recognized everywhere. The resurrection of Christ and its all important significance indicates its historical fact. I. This is the basis of our Christian faith and the foundation of the Christian church. The enemies of Christ and His church knew it from the very beginning, and this is the reason why they tried to undermine its credibility. They tried to discredit the resurrection of Christ when it happened in Jerusalem. We can read in the Bible about the guards who went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. And when they had taken counsel with them they gave money to the soldiers and said: “tell people, his disciples came by night and stole him, while we were asleep.” So they took the money and did as they were told. Remember Thomas one of the twelve disciples of Christ doubted the resurrection until he faced the risen Savior and touched His wounded side and placed his fingers into the prints of the nails and became convinced, that He truely rose from the dead. How many times throughout the ages the scene was repeated the doubting Thomases were multiplied, famous authors and philosophers did not believe in the resurrection of the Lord; even today there are many familiar with the contents of the Old and New Testament, yet their hearts and minds are far from accepting the historical authenticity of the resurrection. Jesus’ resurrection was witnessed by men and women, whose record we believe, therefore, we do not argue with the doubters and unbelievers for we know, that the resurrection of Christ is one of the most authenticated historical facts which we firmly believe and upon which our church is built. II. Then, see the joy that filled the heart and soul of all the disciples who lived then and became the first witnesses of the glorious resurrection of Christ. The tears were instantly wiped away. The sadness and grief over death was forgotten, for joy and happiness chased away all gloomy thoughts. All those who were dejected and lost found incredible power and energy. One passed the news to the other and soon the joyous message radiated from like minded faces everywhere. Christ lives and He appeared to many. This joyful message, which Paul the apostle put into these few words: “CHRIST IS RISEN FROM THE DEAD!” became the secret source of unlimited energy. No one was able to keep the good news to himself. It had to be shared and told to others. The joy which filled the first disciples then, still fills the hearts and minds of the followers of Christ today. We come to Him as He is calling us: “Come unto me all”, to learn of Him, that He is lowly and meek, and He went before us in all trials and tribulations and showed us the way. Come to our churches Dear Brethren, hear His word preached, see the miracles performed, and the healings He has wrought. Come to the Table of Grace and participate in the Holy Communion, which He instituted: show with your word,s deeds and life, that you are His disciple and have no greater joy than to praise His holy name for ever. III. The integral part of the glorious Easter message, that “Christ is risen from the dead” is that those who saw the resurrected Master went quickly to tell the good news to others.
