Undefeated and Undisputed
As the sun rose over the Lincoln Memorial on Easter Sunday, several thousand of us gathered to celebrate the central figure of all history—Jesus of Nazareth. It was our family’s first time to attend this particular sunrise service. But of course, we rose early and gathered to celebrate not because Jesus, like each of us, lived and then died. We gathered because Jesus, unlike each of us, rose to life again and forever defeated the undefeated grave!
When a boxer has never lost, he is deemed undefeated. When he holds every major championship at the same time, he is deemed undisputed. He is declared the unified champion. When God raised His Son Jesus from the dead, He declared that what had been previously undefeated was now fully conquered! He declared that you, because of His Son, are now eternally free.
As you reflect on this truth so central to your faith, be forewarned: There are many who will dispute what was accomplished that day. You will be told there is another way. You will be encouraged to consider the suggestion that Jesus was perhaps a great man, but not quite who He claimed to be—the Son of the living God.
Here is the simple-yet-astounding, undefeated, and undisputed Truth for this week: Jesus is alive, and He lives in you!
It is an undefeated truth because it conquers and quells what was previously unbeatable.
It is undisputed not because all mankind has surrendered to its authority (it has not), but because it fulfilled the law and prophecies in one act (Matt. 5:17)! Jesus is the unified answer to the grave!
My friend, the grave comes for each of us. It will come for you one day, and it will come for me. Without Resurrection Sunday, the grave would still be undefeated, and the reality that it is coming for you would be crippling. But death has lost its sting (1 Cor. 15:55-57)! The power of the grave is no more! What was once your certain and permanent final resting place is now nothing more than the symbol of your undefeated and undisputed champion, Jesus Christ!
The grave is undefeated, save One. Because of that One, you are an heir of eternity (Titus 3:7)!
The following article originally appeared in Thann’s “The Equipped” Weekly Newsletter. For more information on Thann’s weekly email, click here.