The candle-lights of history, philosophy and science cast a cumulative
radiance upon the problem of life after death. They show that it is
harder not to believe than to believe in immortality. But we need the
light of the Sun. We need the demonstration of the power of an endless
life. This we have in the Risen Christ. Christ brought into perfect
light those truths about God and man, of which mankind had dim
intuitions. By His Resurrection Christ abolished death (i.e., deprived
it of force and power) and brought life and immortality to light (i.e.,
gives certainty, richness and power to the hope of immortal life).
1.--Christ has given _certainty_ to the instinctive longing for
immortality. For the shadow, He has given substance; for dimness,
light; for hope, assurance. Although this hope has been virtually
universal and inextinguishable, yet apart from Christ it has never
become a certainty. Though historian, philosopher, poet, lover and
saint have their own special arguments for the Hereafter, it is Christ
Himself Who is the sure Light both of this world and of that which is
to come. He has turned this hope into a full and glorious assurance.