The Meaning of Resurrection Day for Each One of Us—an Easter Message by Billy Graham

Billy Graham : Apr 12, 2009
Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

"The greatest news that mortal ear has ever heard is the news that Jesus Christ has risen from the dead, as He had promised…"

The following excerpt is from a message by Billy Graham on the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association's website. To read the full article, follow the link provided.

We worship a risen, living Savior who has promised to give immortality to all who believe on His name. No longer do men and women need to stumble in the fog and darkness of hopelessness. A Light shines brighter than the noonday sun, offering hope to everyone who has been born again. Jesus promised, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die" (John 11:25–26).

Long ago Job asked the great question of the ages: "If a man dies, shall he live again?" (Job 14:14). We expect death, but we always have a glimmer of hope that medical science will discover something that will keep us alive a little longer. Death carries with it a certain dread. It has always been the enemy, the great, mysterious monster that makes people quake with fear.

The Bible always links sin with death, saying, "the sting of death is sin" (1 Corinthians 15:56). The Bible also says that "through one man [Adam] sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned" (Romans 5:12). (Photo: BGEA)

Death stalks the rich and the poor, the educated and the uneducated. Death is no respecter of race, color or creed. Its shadow haunts us day and night. We never know when the moment of death will come for us.

Is there any hope? Is there a possibility of immortality?

I take you to an empty tomb owned by Joseph of Arimathea. Mary, Mary Magdalene and Salome had come to anoint the body of the crucified Christ, and they had been startled to find the tomb empty. An angel sat on the stone by the door of the tomb and said, "I know that you seek Jesus. …He is not here; for He is risen" (Matthew 28:5–6).

The greatest news that mortal ear has ever heard is the news that Jesus Christ has risen from the dead, as He had promised. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the chief proof of the Christian faith. It is the truth that lies at the very foundation of the Gospel. Other doctrines of the Christian faith may be important, but the resurrection is essential. Without a belief in the resurrection there can be no personal salvation. The Bible says, "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9).

Read more from Billy Graham at the link provided.