During the plagues under Emperor Marcus Aurelius, a staggering third of the city of Rome died.3 Mourning and grief were pervasive. People were hopeless and stunned. A historian noted that, in contrast to the prevailing despair, the Christians seemed to carry their dead in triumph.4 This is how God intends for us to face the grave and why the resurrection of Jesus is of such vital importance. Paul argued that if Christ is not risen, than all of Christianity is undone (1 Corinthians 15:14).
