Resurrection: The Science of Eternal Life
The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.’” (Matt 28:5-7)
As we celebrate this year’s Easter, we are full of gratitude to God for healing and restoring us after the long uncertain season of lockdown. We thank God that many students are back to class, and that we can gather and celebrate as congregations – unlike the quiet and sombre celebration in homes in 2020. Some skeptics still ask, do we need God? And in the area of living long, some Life Extensionists or Longevists believe that future breakthroughs in tissue rejuvenation, stem cells, regenerative medicine, molecular repair, gene therapy, pharmaceuticals, and organ replacement (such as with artificial organs) will eventually enable humans to have indefinite lifespans through complete rejuvenation to a healthy youthful condition. Is this a kind of resurrection to eternal life?
Many faithful researchers are able to see the great compatibility between faith and science, and that one does not negate the other. Human efforts towards eternal life are still ongoing, but God has already shown His power by raising Jesus Christ to life. This is Simon Peter’s scientific testimony: “For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty” (2Pet 1:16). Celebration is in order – of the true victory and lasting hope ushered in by Christ’s resurrection
Our celebration of today is even greater than that of the people who first received the news of Christ’s resurrection: they had just been rudely disappointed by the arrest and murder of the great Rabbi Jesus. Still in the state of heartbreak, confusion and almost sinking into depression, resurrection news must have been received with mixed emotions – much like a sick man recovering from a debilitating stupor, or like a woman waking up on the morning of her wedding day – excited, yet anxious with fear, not allowed to shout and celebrate loudly, yet truly entering the ‘day of her dreams’.
Fill the air with singing and praising the Lord for the victory in the resurrection. Psalm 114 celebrates the deliverance of Israel from their bondage in Egypt, and calls upon the earth to tremble at the presence of the Almighty God; the stone was rolled away in obedience and our Lord was delivered from the bondage in the tomb – the ultimate display of power at the command of the Lord.
As recorded in Matt 28:1-15, when it comes to faith in Jesus Christ and celebrating the resurrection, we still have the two kinds of people today: those who doubt and discard, and those who believe and banquet. Many attempts to keep alive have been put together, but the surest is what God has provided; those who hold firmly to the faith should enjoy the good nutritional and medical provisions for living longer; but most greatly believers should celebrate being made alive in Christ as attested to by the resurrection.
God bless you all. Have a Blessed Easter!