Easter-resurrection. We come at last to the end-but really we come to the beginning. The resurrection of Jesus is indeed the greatest of miracles and the pivotal event of our salvation. Without the resurrection of Jesus, he would simply be dead like all those who preceded him. We believe this is not the case, however. We believe that Jesus was raised from the dead and lives now and for all time. The resurrection of Jesus is the beginning of eternal life for him in his humanity and for all who believe in him. Far from being the end of the story, the resurrection can be seen as the beginning of the Church on earth, when the activity of the Holy Spirit is felt. The resurrection is also the beginning of the final days. Without the resurrection of Jesus, the Christian story falls completely apart, or more correctly, never really gets started.

The resurrection of Jesus is pivotal in the sense that we read all of salvation history in its light. The resurrection sheds light on all previous history. For example, as Christians we read the Old Testament in light of the resurrection. Prophecy in this view looks forward to Jesus, the Christ. Historical figures like Abraham, Moses, Elijah, and David become archetypes of the Messiah. And major Old Testament happenings, like the Exodus and the covenant, for Christians foreshadow what Jesus would do completely and definitively.

Suffering is endured because it once led to glory, and we believe it can again. Death is no longer feared, because we believe it is the door to new life. Backward and forward, the resurrection event defines our lives as Christians. Without it we cannot know who we are nor where we are going. Praise be to God the Father for raising Jesus from the dead! Praise be to God for promising us a like resurrection!

© Harcourt Religion Publishers/BROWN-ROA