The resurrection of Jesus began the final days. The resurrection was the central hope of the apostles’ preaching. In fact, the most quoted Old Testament verse in the New Testament is Psalm 110:1: The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” Why was this verse used so frequently in the preaching of the early church? It’s because the resurrection of Christ truly happened, and they believed it with their whole being. King Jesus laid down his life for the penalty of sin, and he took his life back up to defeat the power of sin and death.

This week I was talking to a dear friend who contracted COVID. In fact, he and his wife both had it. I’ve made it a purpose lately to spend time with or call any of my friends who have had this virus because their opinion of the virus matters experientially. It’s been really helpful to hear from those who have felt the symptoms, have gone through the sickness, and come out of the other side. Most of my friends have shared that their main conclusion after having COVID, which goes something along the lines of: “The virus is real, I was sick, let’s wear our masks, and let’s get back to normal life.”

Now, I realize that there is a missing group whom I can’t interview—those who have died. Tragically this virus has taken the lives of nearly two million people. I’ve wondered what those who have died, who were followers of Jesus, would tell us? I think they would say the same thing that followers of Jesus from the first century who died due to sickness would tell us: “Jesus was resurrected from the dead to defeat death. Don’t hide in fear from death. Carry the good news of eternal life to those who are afraid.”

Many believers seem to have forgotten the resurrection.

Honestly, I’ve been a little saddened by the response of many Christians during this pandemic. I know that may sound a bit arrogant, but some believers seem to have forgotten the resurrection. Perhaps it’s due to sermons on the resurrection often being limited to the Easter season. Maybe, at best, it’s due to an emphasis on the cross (1 Cor. 2:2) without its resurrection counterpart (1 Cor. 15). Whatever it is, we need to recover the resurrection and let it drive us to live and love the way our savior taught us. We can only do this when we realize that death is not the final end.[1]

If we are honest—and I think it’s good to be honest with this topic—many of us do fear death and are doing everything we can to live in the now. I don’t like the thought that death can come and take my family at any time. I want to protect them from death, but I’m not powerful enough to stop it. Enter in a global pandemic and death feels like more of a possibility than before.

Where the reality of death confronts us is also where resurrection hope is to be proclaimed.

As we contemplate these realities, how often does Christ’s resurrection comfort us? When we see our unbelieving neighbors terrified to go outside because the popular media fuels a fear-driven narrative, what else would they believe? Maybe this is where the resurrection hope is meant to be proclaimed.

When Peter is writing to a dispersed church, he starts his letter by grounding everything he is about to write in the resurrection:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Pet. 1:3-5)

The historical church has faced numerous struggles that tested their faith in the resurrection to come.

Jesus truly rose from the dead and is our hope, a living savior who continually gives life. Church history tells us over and over how the resurrection of Jesus began this new creation life in his people. Pastor Jason Harris describes how the early church dealt with plagues.

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