Editor’s note: The following commentary does not necessarily reflect the views of The News Courier and its staff. We welcome editorial submissions from area church leaders. Those who would like to submit a column, story or photo should email submissions to adam@athensnews-courier.com. Submissions should be kept to no more than 500 words and not be considered inflammatory to the faith and/or values of others. We reserve the right to edit submissions for space and content.

John, the apostle of love, affirmed the uniqueness of Christ when he wrote, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16, NKJV).

He was unique – one of a kind – the “only begotten Son of God.” Christ was unlike any other person who has ever lived on this earth. There had never been and never will be anyone else like Christ to live on the earth.

Jesus, the Son of God, was miraculously conceived in the womb of His virgin mother, Mary, by the Spirit of God. Jesus’ virgin birth was prophesied by Isaiah hundreds of years before it occurred (Isaiah 7:14). We read about its fulfillment in Matthew 1:18-25 and Luke 1:28-38; 2:1-7. Jesus was “Immanuel,” that is, “God with us” (Mt. 1:23). He was God-Incarnate – God in the flesh living on the earth.

Also, Jesus was sent on a Divine mission that only He could accomplish. He would be God’s remedy for sin – the Sacrifice for the sins of all mankind from the beginning of history until the end of time (2 Cor. 5:21 – “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”)

A third unique fact about Jesus relates to His crucifixion and death. He was an innocent Victim who was nailed to a Roman cross, willingly dying in our place because of our sins (Isaiah 53; 1 Peter 2:22-23). This was involved in God’s “eternal purpose” (Ephesians 3:8-11; 2 Timothy 1:9).

Joseph of Arimathaea, a disciple, retrieved Jesus’ lifeless body from the cross. Joseph, with the assistance of Nicodemus, hastily wrapped and placed the Lord’s body in a newly hewn tomb (John 19:38-42). The Jewish leaders requested that the tomb be sealed and guarded by Roman soldiers; however, this did not prevent the bodily resurrection of Jesus from the dead (Mark 16:9).

Jesus, the Founder of Christianity, is the only Person to have been raised from the dead, never to die again (Romans 6:9-10; 1 Corinthians 15:20). His tomb is empty. The remains of Jesus never have and never will be found because “he is risen” (Matthew 28:6).

Christianity stands or falls on the truthfulness of Jesus’ resurrection (1 Cor. 15:12-19). The evidence stood irrefutably firm in the first century, and it still does nearly two thousand years later. Even though this cardinal doctrine of the Scriptures is still assailed by many, the truth of the resurrection cannot be overturned. The arguments formulated by skeptics are, at best, only vain efforts in an attempt to destroy the truth.

Because Jesus arose from the dead, He is “alive forevermore” (Revelation 1:18). Christians rejoice greatly because we have a “living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” and the certainty of an eternal heavenly inheritance awaiting us (1 Peter 1:3-4).

— Ridinger is the preacher at Coxey church of Christ. He can be reached at ridinger50@bellsouth.net.