Fraternity-Testvériség, 1982 (60. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
1982-01-01 / 1. szám
REACTIONS TO THE RESURRECTION Text: “And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter . . . Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed . . Acts 17:32 and 34. On Easter Sunday we celebrate the greatest event in human history. We remember that Jesus, as a man, a few days before was crucified, but He rose from the dead, He won the victory over death! But what we should also celebrate about is that He won that victory not only for Himself, but for all those who believe in Him. This message is proclaimed for almost two thousand years, and yet, there are so many who do not believe it. We do not believe it because we cannot understand it. Today we have to understand everything or we simply say, “it is not true.” Look at the words in our text. I am sure that at that time, there were many who heard about the events in Jerusalem and still when Paul was talking about the resurrection of the dead, because Christ won the victory, the reaction of the people was varied. First we find those who mocked, or made fun of him. These people rejected the ideal of resurrection of the bat. They did not believe that Christ resurrected and certainly did not believe that there is a possibility that the dead will resurrect. They knew one thing. They saw that somebody died and was buried and for them that was the end. Resurrection? Oh what a joke! The second reaction was a little different, but did not change the matter. These people were unsure of themselves. Or, 1 am sure they would have said, “we are just cautious.”They wanted to have time to think things over. They did not want to believe something for what later they may be sorry. So the best policy was for them to wait. They did not want to reject the ideal of the resurrection of the dead, the resurrection of Christ, but at the same time they could not accept it either. To reject would mean, if what Paul said was the truth, that they will not receive everlasting life. But on the other hand, if they accept Paul’s teaching it may put their earthly life in danger. So let us sit on the fence and wait. We will talk about it later. The third reaction was of those who believed what Paul was talking about. On the basis of the text, we have the feeling that they were in minority. Never-the-less they believed. They were willing to accept the fact, even though they did not understand it, that Christ resurrected and that He has the power to resurrect those who believe in Him. They claimed the victory over death for themselves for the sake of Christ. Thousands of years passed and today in our modern society we find the same reaction to the resurrection. Many are who without hesitation reject the ideal of resurrection of Christ. After all, today’s science cannot prove that the resurrection is possible. They make fun of the believers, they mock those who believe that Christ lives today. But I believe that the majority of those who hear about the resurrection belong to the group which says, “Give me time to think it over.’’They are torn between the teaching of the world and, if I may use the expression, the teaching of the Christian religion. But actually what they do is sit on the fence, waiting for the opportune time to jump into the group which seems to win. And more often than not, they finally decide against believing. But, thank God, the third reaction may be found today also. Those who believe. This Easter for this group is the greatest day in history. They can greet each other with the words, “Christ is risen!” For this group, the resurrection of Christ is a fact and they believe that one day they will be resurrected also because Christ won the victory. This faith gives us strength to overcome and accept all the difficulties of the earthly life. This faith that Christ won the victory for everyone, young or old, gave the foresight to our forefathers to establish our Bethlen Home, where, when the need was there they cared for the young orphans. This need not being present today, we care for the old, for the sick. A hand is extended to those who are alone and suffering in the name of Christ, realizing that for Him every individual life is dear. If we would not accept the resurrection, or were sitting on the fence, we would think only about ourselves and our own wealth on this earth. Our fellow human beings would not interest us and we would not try to help them, by taking care of them by making sure that they have an opportunity to strengthen their faith in the resurrected Christ. Christ arose from the dead and won the victory for us also. But our world today does not want to accept this fact. So those who reject the ideal of the resurrection, or do not make a decision, look out only for themselves. Living life to the fullest, as they say, because there is no tomorrow. Due to this attitude suffering is greater and greater in our society because the love which was in Christ is missing in us. Let us proclaim our faith this Easter, not only by worshipping, not only by saying that Christ is Risen, but also by showing love toward our fellow human beings, by helping those who cannot help themselves. When Christ died He did not say, that He will die for Mr. X, or Mrs. Y. He died for all and won the victory over death for all. Our Saviour is alive! He resurrected! Now is our turn to believe in Him and follow His example of love and make our earth just a little bit better. KALMAN ADORJAN Pastor of the Hungarian Reformed Church Trenton, New Jersey 3
