The Resurrection and the Secular Mind...Continued from page 6

And Chuck Colson, Hatchet Man, made his choice. In his own words, "Early that Friday morning, while I sat alone staring at the sea I love, words I had not been certain I could understand or say fell naturally from my lips: 'Lord Jesus, I believe you. I accept you. Please come into my life. I commit it to you.'"

He wrote a best-selling book about his story called Born Again. He says in the book that when news spread of his conversion, people couldn't believe it. They thought he was kidding. He says one relative thought the strain of Watergate had been too much. She wrote to a mutual friend: "I'm afraid poor Chuck has snapped, gone over the edge. This kind of religious fervor is often the sign of mental instability."

No Middle Ground

When it comes to Easter, there are two things the people of the world cannot understand. First, they cannot understand the Resurrection. It is a miracle which baffles the mind. Secular man cannot deal with it. Second, because they can't deal with the Resurrection, they can't figure out anyone who can. They think we've all gone nuts.

But in the words of Paul when he replied to Festus, we are not mad. What we believe is both true and reasonable. This thing was not done in the corner. The evidence is there for all to see. The empty tomb is still empty. No one has ever found the bones of Jesus. No one ever will. So far from being a myth or legend, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ stands as the best-attested fact in all human history. And we invite everyone—skeptics and scholars alike—to examine the evidence and come to their own conclusions.

What should we do with all this? If you've never made the choice, it's time to come to grips with it. Where do you stand on the question of Jesus Christ? With Festus or with Paul? With Cullen Murphy or with Chuck Colson? With secular man or with the church of Jesus Christ? No question is more important, more crucial, more vital.

In the greatest question of life, the question of Jesus Christ and your relation to him, there are only two possible answers. Either you believe him for who he is or you reject him and his claims. Yes or no. Life or death. You believe or you don't. There is no middle ground.

Whatever else this day may be, Easter will not really be Easter for you until you take your stand with Jesus Christ.

You can reach the author at ray@keepbelieving.com. Click here to sign up for the free weekly email sermon.
Dr. Ray Pritchard is the president of  Keep Believing Ministries and author of And When You Pray. He has ministered extensively overseas and is a frequent conference speaker and guest on Christian radio and television talk shows. He has authored over 27 books, including Credo, The Healing Power of Forgiveness, An Anchor for the Soul, and Why Did This Happen to Me? Reprinted with permission.

Please click here to read Ray's Crosswalk.com blog.