Why Is The Resurrection Important?
There are several events throughout history that forever changed the world.
The Revolutionary War.
Signing the Declaration of Independence.
Pearl Harbor.
The attacks on 9/11.
These events changed the course of history. After they occurred, the world would never be the same again.
Yet, these moments' effect on the world pale compared to the day that Jesus rose from the dead.
This day was the most impactful day in the world's history, forever changing how the universe would operate for all of time and eternity.
Jesus' resurrection changed everything. It was the whole ball game. Nothing would ever be the same again.
You may ask, "Why was Christ's resurrection such a game changer?"
First, without Christ's resurrection, followers of Christ would have no hope.
Our faith in God and our testimony would be useless. As Paul says,
"And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.
We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised.
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.
Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied." (1 Corinthians 15:14-19, ESV)
Second, without the resurrection, there is no forgiveness of sins.
"For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures." (1 Corinthians 15:3-4, ESV)
As the great evangelist, Billy Graham wrote, "A dead Savior can forgive no one. But our Lord did not die a meaningless death. The resurrection proves that He has the authority to forgive sin, and now we know we are forgiven. Every sin and all the shame are forever gone because they are buried in an empty tomb!"
Without the resurrection, there is no hope for the afterlife. The resurrection promises that death is not the end for the believer. There is the promise of Heaven for those who serve Jesus.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you." (1 Peter 1:3-4, ESV)
"I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades." (Revelations 1:18, ESV)
Because of the resurrection, Christians have the "blessed hope"—the hope of the rapture.
"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also." (John 14:3, ESV)
"For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep." (1 Thessalonians 4:14, ESV)
These are the foundational truths of the Gospel!
They changed the course of history and gave man hope for his future.
Here are some other reasons the resurrection is life-changing:
Christ's resurrection proves that He is Who He claimed to be—the Son of God Who would lay down His life for the sins of mankind but also take it up again through the resurrection.
"This is why the Father loves me: because I freely lay down my life. And so I am free to take it up again. No one takes it from me. I lay it down of my own free will. I have the right to lay it down; I also have the right to take it up again. I received this authority personally from my Father." (John 10:17-18, MSG)
It's one of the things that sets Jesus apart from all others who claim to be the Messiah or who form their own religions. All other men have died, but only Jesus rose again, proving He was the One True Son of God.
In Luke 24:44-46, Jesus says that the resurrection proves that the entire Bible (Old Testament, too) is true.
“Then he said to them, 'These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.’
Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead,’” (ESV)
Christ's resurrection empowers believers to overcome sin in their lives.
"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20, ESV)
Because Christ conquered sin through His resurrection and the power of the Holy Spirit in us, we can now conquer sin in our lives.
Finally, the resurrection assures us that Christ is alive and ruling the kingdom of God. He is not a myth or a legend. He is alive and powerful and is sitting at God's right hand, interceding for us today.
"Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him." (1 Peter 3:21-22, ESV)
Memory Verse: Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live”. (John 11:25, ESV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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