Of course the Bible tells us to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus on every first day of the week, but many are looking for a particular emphasis on this topic on the cultural (and religious) holiday many call ‘Easter.’ It doesn’t happen very often, but this year that day falls on April 1. So, just who were made fools because Jesus was raised from the dead?
- Hebrews 2:14-18. Perhaps Satan was the biggest fool. Because of our sin, he held the power of death and reveled in our fear of death. On that Friday Passover so long ago, it certainly appeared that Satan and the grave had won. All of mankind were sinners and had earned death by our sins. Jesus denied any power that God in the flesh could have wielded and in weakness died a criminal’s death.
2. Romans 1:18-32. Sinners are next. These are people who do not retain the knowledge of God although God’s eternal power (the resurrection) and divine nature are clearly seen from what has been made. Without excuse, these unrepentant sinners plunge willingly into their various sins, while believing themselves wise, enlightened “Christians.” God gives these “fools” over to their sins.
3. Psalm 14:1. God calls atheists fools. In their book, I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist, Geisler and Turek argue that in the face of such overwhelming evidence for the existence of God, great faith is needed to hold to the untenable position of disbelief. Beyond that, how sad that atheists let go of any hope for eternity that comes through Jesus’ resurrection overcoming sin and death.
We should not be fooled by Jesus’ resurrection. Rather, that He was risen ought to help us prepare.