"I Know That My Redeemer Lives"

12-Apr-2001

Did you know that Thomas Jefferson edited a version of the Bible? There is however, a small problem with Jefferson’s version. You see, Jefferson could not accept the miraculous elements in Scripture. In his own special version of the Bible all references to the supernatural were deleted. Jefferson, in editing the Gospels, confined himself solely to the moral teachings of Jesus. The closing words of Jefferson's Bible are these: "There laid they Jesus and rolled a great stone at the mouth of the sepulchre and departed."

Imagine for a moment if Jefferson was correct. If Jesus of Nazareth did not arise from the grave and that the sealing of the tomb was the end of the story. The words of the apostle Paul come to mind.

Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up-if in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. (1 Corinthians 15:12-19 NKJV)

Notice, if Christ is not risen, the preaching of the apostles is useless and faith in Christ is useless. The apostles are nothing more than liars, if Christ is not risen. Not only that but also all are still in sin, the dead who believed are lost, and all who have put faith in Christ are to be most pitied. This is what Thomas Jefferson believed and would have us to believe. However, thankfully, the apostle Paul did not end his thoughts concerning the resurrection at that point. His very next statement is, "BUT NOW CHRIST IS RISEN FROM THE DEAD," (emp. Rlb).

Obviously, because He lives our faith is not vain and we do have hope. Men have come and men will come who deny the resurrection of Christ and with their denial try to draw others away with them, however Christians can take comfort in the assurances of God’s Word. Remember the words of Job. "I know that my Redeemer lives" (Job 19:25).