The resurrection of Jesus is our central story, meaning it is the glue that binds Christians together. Many people organize their lives around myths and legends, stories that are not historical facts. What’s different about our story is that it is true—meaning that Jesus Christ actually did rise from the dead.

That distinction seems to be fading these days. While we state the reality of the resurrection every year at Easter, we mostly live as if this story is like Moby Dick or Lord of the Rings. It’s a great tale that teaches important lessons–but it never really happened.

If that’s the case, what’s the point of being a Christian rather than a Buddhist or a Muslim or a humanist? If Jesus Christ did not rise from the dead, then what’s the point of having church as usual?

And it if is true that Jesus is alive, what’s the point of having church as usual? If Jesus truly is alive, shouldn’t that affect our lives to a greater degree than it seems to now? Would we live in the exact  what that we are now living if we knew for sure that we would live forever?

What about you? What practical difference would it make in your life if you were convinced that Jesus Christ literally rose from the dead?