President’s Perspective
He IS Risen!
I
t is one of the most revered and visited sites in all of
Jerusalem. In the spring or summer, it is fragrant with
the smell of blooming flowers and beautifully landscaped
with trees and shrubs. By the standards of the great Eu-
ropean gardens or in comparison to many of the extravagant arboretums
throughout the United States, it can’t compare. It embraces only an acre or
two of ground, and its beauty lies
more in its simplicity than in its ex-
travagance. However, there is some-
thing special and unique about this
Jerusalem garden. This garden in-
cludes a tomb. Not just any tomb; it
is the tomb that some believe, once
sheltered the body of Jesus.
Researchers have argued that
this site is likely not the original
location of the Garden Tomb; but
that possibility does not lessen the
impact upon the heart when one
stands before the doorway of the
sepulcher and looks through the
portal to see the small stone bench
which may have once held the body
of Christ. It is a moving and even transformative experience. Yet, as many
who have visited the tomb would agree, the impact of seeing the tomb lies
not so much in what you see as in what you do not see. A small inscribed
plate fixed near the doorway of the tomb expresses it best: “He is not here,
He is risen!” It is a statement of more than the miracle, amazing as it was, of
a single resurrection. It is rather a descriptive declaration summarizing the
most pivotal event in the story of salvation. In essence, everything that we as
Christians hope for and believe in, hinges on the reality of this event.
You don’t have to live long on planet earth to experience the heartache of
personal loss. In this world, death is everywhere. Not a day goes by that the
news headlines are not crowded with tragic stories, but the pain that is closer
to home is much more bitter and lasting. The wounds that the loss of friends
2
Connection
and family leave behind on our hearts can seem
permanent. Yet, to all who grieve, but who also
have hope in Christ, the story of the empty tomb
is a story of promise. The Apostle argues that
the relevancy of the entire Gospel hinges on this
miracle.
Paul states this truth this way in 1st
Corinthians 15:14-19: “And if Christ has not
been raised, our preaching is useless and so is
your faith . . . 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.” He’s right isn’t he? If what
the Word of God declares about that Sunday
morning resurrection is not true, then we have
no hope; no future; no reason to believe. Aren’t
you thrilled however, that Paul, who himself
had encountered the resurrected Christ, goes on
to say in verse 20, “But Christ has indeed been
Connection
Volume 17, No. # 2
Connection
magazine is published
quarterly by the Kentucky-
Tennessee Conference of
Seventh-day Adventists.
Steve Rose Executive Editor
Denise Pope Layout & Design
Printed By College Press, LLC
Directory
President: Steve Haley
VP for Administration: Steve Rose
VP for Finance: Aaron McNulty
PO Box 1088
Goodlettsville, Tennessee 37070-1088
(615) 859-1391
(615) 859-2120 FAX
www.kytn.net
Department
Extension
President
VP for Administration
VP for Finance
Children/Youth/Young Adults
Communication
Community Services
Education
Hispanic Ministries
Ministerial
Publishing
Pathfinders
Religious Liberty
Stewardship
Trust Services
Women’s Ministries
1006
1034
1004
1023
1034
1034
1019
1007
1005
1005
1023
1005
1023
1008
1016
Indian Creek Camp
(615) 548-4411
(615) 548-4029 FAX
www.indiancreekcamp.com
raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who
have fallen asleep.” Rejoice believer; death for
a follower of Christ is not the final word. It is
not the end. Today, we can praise God, for He
IS risen!
STEVE HALEY
President
Kentucky-Tennessee Conference
Nourish Christian Marketplace
(615) 859-1125
(888) 345-0500 Toll-Free Order Line
Highland Academy
(615) 325-2036
(615) 325-4824 FAX
www.highland-academy.com
Madison Academy
(615) 865-4055
(615) 865-4117 FAX
www.madisonacademy.com
3