Salome, Mary the mother of James, and Mary Magdalene traveled to the tomb of Jesus with intentions of honoring His dead body with a compilation of spices. As they arrived in the early morning hours of the first day of the week, they found an open and empty tomb. An angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen” (Mat 28:5–6; cf. Mat 28:1–8; Mk 16:1–8; Lk 24:1–8; Jn 20:1–10).
Truly, Jesus is risen from the dead and has since ascended to the right hand of the Father (cf. Acts 1:9–11; 2:33–34; Rom 8:34; Eph 1:20; Col 3:1; Heb 1:3). This time of year, on numerous proper-ties in our region, it is common to see lawn signs which read, “He is risen.” I am thankful that many in our area recognize that the grave has no power over our Lord; however, these lawn signs and their appearance once per year begs many questions.
1. Where in the Scriptures is it commanded, or exemplified, that we are to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection once per year? Indeed, it is the case that Jesus rose only once, and on one particular day. Likewise, He died only once and on one particular day. And, He was born only once and on one particular day. Why did He not reveal these precise dates to us and command us to celebrate them once per year? In fact, the once-per-year recognitions of these are man-made traditions.
2. What has Jesus commanded us to do in recognition of His resurrection? By His death, burial, and resurrection, He has made possible salvation from our sins and life everlasting (Mat 26:28; Col 1:12–14; Jn 3:16; Rom 5:8–10). To receive this salvation we are to hear and obey His gospel (Rom 10:17; Rom 10:9–10; Acts 2:38; Rom 6:3–4). Notice how that our entrance into Christ and His church (Gal 3:27; Acts 2:47; Col 1:13) requires action that directly correlates to His death, burial, and resurrection (Rom 6:3–4): “Do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” As one who is now in Christ and raised with Christ, we are called to tell others of the same (Mat 28:18–20; Mk 16:15–16), live as He has taught us to live (cf. Gal 5:19 – 6:10, et al.), meet weekly as His church, especially on the Lord’s resurrection day (every first day of the week; cf. Rev 1:10; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor 16:1–2), and on these special 52–53 days each year, worship Him in song, prayer, study, giving, and the memorial of His death (cf. Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1 Cor 11:23–26; Eph 5:19; Col 3:16; et al.).
3. Has he risen? Not Jesus. We know Jesus is risen. But, the property owner. The one who celebrates Jesus’ resurrection once per year and heralds to passers-by with his lawn sign. Has he risen?
Clifton preaches for the Coldwater Church of Christ in Coldwater, MS
