No If’s, And’s, or But’s

A three-letter word can make all the difference in the world. The frightening call came late at night, “Your daughter has been in an auto accident. ... BUT she’s going to be okay.” Very early on that first Easter morning, the grieving women came to the alarming realization, “Who will roll away the stone? ... AND looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back” (Mark 16:3-4). Then they were met in the empty tomb by an angel announcing the greatest good news ever, “He has risen. He is not here” (vs. 6). Twenty-five years later, the inspired apostle contrasts the fatal futility of those who question the resurrection of Jesus with those who, by God’s grace, are filled with Easter joy: “IF Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile. ... BUT in fact Christ has been raised from the dead ...” (1 Corinthians 15:17, 20). No if’s, and’s, or but’s. Christ is risen!