Why Seek the Living Among the Dead?
By Thomas Waters
On the Resurrection morn, the women who came to the tomb of Jesus found it open and empty. As their brains whirled trying to interpret the information sent from their eyes, two men in dazzling clothes (angels) asked them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” They told the women, “He is not here, but has risen.”
That same question needs to be repeated again and again, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?
Christianity is not just another religion. Those who say that all great religions are alike really flaunt their ignorance. Sure, there are certain moral principles common to all religions. That is a result of mankind being created in the image of God and having the law of God written on the heart (Romans 2:14ff).
To conclude that all religions are alike, however, because they share some factors is comparable to saying since a Porsche and Volkswagen ‘Beetle’ both have rear air–cooled, flat, horizontally–opposed, 4–cylinder engines, independent suspension, two doors, and a trunk in the front, they are the same. No. Just because humans share half our genes with a banana, does not mean there are no substantial differences between a human and a banana.
There are many substantial distinctions between Christianity and other religions. A very important one is the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
▸ Moses is dead: he died at the age of 120 and is buried in the land of Moab.
▸ Mohamad is dead: he died at the age of 63 and is buried in the Mosque of the Prophet in the city of Medina in Saudi Arabia.
▸ Confucius is dead. He died at the age of 72 and his is buried in Kong Lin cemetery.
▸ Buddha is dead. His body was cremated and relics placed in monuments. The Temple of the Tooth in Sri Lanka is the place where the right tooth of Buddha is supposedly kept.
Yes, Christ was a lawgiver, but He was more. He was a prophet, but He was more. He was a teacher who emphasized morality, correct social relationships, justice, and sincerity, but He was more. He was an enlightened teacher who taught truth to people of various social classes and ranks, but He was more.
We do not speak of Christ as “was” but is. Christ is. Christ is the Son of God. Christ is God. Christ is alive!
Christ did not just teach about a way to travel. He is the way! Christ did not just talk about truth. He is truth! Christ did not just talk about life. He is life! He is. He is the only way. No one comes to the Father (God) except through Him.
Why then are you seeking answers, enlightenment, hope, forgiveness, direction, solutions, truth, meaning . . . among the dead? Seek not among the dead, but the living, Jesus Christ the Lord. Ask the one Who is, not one who was to save you - hear you - help you. Seek the One who says, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades (Revelation 1:17–18). |
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