Reactions to the Resurrection

“And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, ‘We will hear thee again of this matter.’ Howbeit certain men clave unto him and believed…” (Acts 17:32, 34)

There are all kinds of reactions to the message of the resurrection of Christ from the dead. At Athens there were at least three reactions to Paul’s message of the resurrection.

First, some mocked. They belittled the idea of a dead person coming back to life. They derided and made fun of the idea.  The Bible says, “He seemed to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus and the resurrection.” (Acts 17:18)

Another reaction at Athens is found among many folks today. “Others said, ‘We will hear you again of this matter.’” They put it off. “I want to wait a while,” they said. Maybe their intentions were good but there is no Biblical record of their ever accepting the living Christ for salvation. Postponing your decision for salvation is itself a decision. Not to say, “Yes, I accept this,” equals saying, “No.”

Another reaction to the resurrection is to believe it, accepting what God’s word says about it by faith. That’s the surest way to peace, joy and happiness.

What is your reaction to the resurrected, living Christ whose resurrection we observed last Sunday and will observe every Lord’s Day until He returns?