If you are a Christian -- a follower of Jesus -- then you are a fool... unless one thing actually happened...

And what is that one thing?

The resurrection of Jesus.

If you think your faith rests on your ability to follow some moral code, or your knowledge of the Bible, or all the good things you've done, then you're wrong.

Your faith rests on the fact that the tomb is empty and Jesus was raised from the dead!

At least that's what the Apostle Paul said. In fact, Paul said that if Jesus is not risen, then our faith is in vain, and we are to be most pitied among all people:

"If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either.

And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied." --1 Corinthians 15:14-19

But Jesus IS risen! And He appeared to the disciples over a period of 40 days. They testified about His resurrection to the end of their days.

So, Resurrection Sunday is not simply about observing a religious event. This is about the very foundation of our faith! That Jesus is no longer in the grave! He is alive! And because of this fact, we are alive as well, experiencing the joy of His eternal life both now and in the ages to come.

Celebrate with passion this weekend -- for He is risen!

Steve Elliott, Grassfire