Nothing. Nothing would have happened. Life would have continued as normal in Jerusalem. Another great prophet in the line of great Jewish prophets would have been mourned. Another great teacher would have been added to the list of great wise men of history.
What would have happened if when Mary Magdalene and the disciples arrived at the tomb, they found Jesus alive, but simply revived, without a glorified body that could go through locked doors, travel great distances quickly and still eat fish and bread?
They would have been amazed, of course: as amazed as those who witnessed the raising of Lazarus from the dead. As amazed as I am when I hear someone tell me they were revived at the hospital with electric shocks. In the end however, nothing would have happened. Nothing would have happened because if Jesus had just been revived, he would have eventually died like all the great prophets of Israel.
I ask these questions to stress two essential aspects of our Christian faith which we celebrate today, Easter Sunday:
1. Our faith hinges on the resurrection.
Saint Paul tells us that “if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.” The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of our faith, and our faith either stands or falls on it. Had Jesus not risen from the dead, we would not be here today. Had Jesus not risen from the dead, there would be no Church; there would be no Gospel to preach.
The resurrection of Christ assures us that he is a worthy witness. The resurrection of Christ assures us that what he taught is true.
I believe we hear “Jesus rose from the dead” so often we lose sight of what a great event this is. People do not normally come back to life after being dead for three days. The resurrection is Jesus saying to us, “those who have ears ought to hear.”
2. Jesus’ resurrected body is not a revived body, but a glorified body. It’s his old body transformed that dies no more.
Jesus promises us the baptized who live in communion with him, receiving his body and blood and loving God and neighbor, will also be raised from the dead and inherit eternal life. We will not simply be revived at the end of times, but will rise from the dead with a glorified body and live forever in the presence of God.
We will not turn into little angels with halos and wings. We will not simply get this same old body back with its aches and illnesses. We will get our own bodies back, but they will be transformed.
Through the waters of baptism we have become heirs to the promise of Christ, the greatest promise ever made: eternal life. At baptism we die with Him on the cross and rise with him in glory from the tomb.
Today we celebrate and affirm our faith in the resurrection and eternal life. May God increase our faith and desire for Him today. Happy Easter.
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