The Certainty of the Resurrection

The crucifixion of our Lord all seemed sad. The sun hid her face, the rocks rent, and many hearts sank for fear. A beautiful life had been ended, so many thought, but it had only changed channels to a different, higher order, and a wider field of glory.

The body of the prophet who died between the two thieves, creating such strange phenomena in earth and sky that immediately sent waves of anxiety to the ends of the earth, was laid to rest in a new tomb. A band of soldiers gathered, sealed the entrance, and kept guard to prove that death could hold its prey.

But on the third morning one from another world appeared on the scene—one whose armor was his raiment and sword his countenance.

The guards fell as dead men. The tomb could no longer hold its prey.

Our Lord snapped the bars of death and rose triumphantly, giving us a token of His power over death and a pledge of our resurrection. He took again the same body that hung on the cross. He called attention to the prints of the nails and the spear.

Some tell us these days that the resurrection is passed; others, that there is no resurrection. Yet others that the spirit-resurrection is all there is of it and that the bodies must remain in the dust.

Well, we prefer to believe the Bible and keep to the old path. Understanding that to resurrect a thing is to raise the same thing and not something like it, we expect to have this same body, glorified, of course. Seeing, hearing, comprehending, appreciating, and loving as a spirit, we who have been washed in the blood will rove the fields of delight, filled with joy forever, to be with our Lord. Glory.

W. C. Wilson, The Nazarene Messenger, April 12, 1906

Used with permission from Nazarene Archives for devotions with Holiness Today.

Please note: This article was originally published in 1906. All facts, figures, and titles were accurate to the best of our knowledge at that time but may have since changed.