Easter, also known as Resurrection Day, is the event on which the entire Christian faith hinges. Paul, once a Jewish zealot hostile to Christians, became a believer when he met Jesus on the Road to Damascus (Acts 9). The Apostle Paul made it abundantly clear that without the resurrection, there is no basis for faith in Christ. “And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching in vain, and your faith is also vain” (1 Corinthians 15:14).
Can a man who claims to be God and then rises from the dead actually be God in human form? Is He someone you should follow? C.S. Lewis asked the same questions and came to the conclusion that there are only three possibilities. John 10:30 is just one of many verses that Jesus Christ claimed to be God. Therefore, to say He is just a “good man” or “great teacher” is to call Him a liar. If He were not a sane person in making such a claim then that would make Him a lunatic. However, if He is neither a liar nor a lunatic—He must be Lord!
So why is the resurrection important?
If you’ve been around church for any amount of time you’ve heard: Christ died on the cross and rose again; without Christ’s death and resurrection, there would be no salvation. In 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 Paul says, “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.”
The Resurrection Proves Three Things:
1. Jesus is God. 1 Corinthians 15:14 tells us without the resurrection there would be no chance of salvation. Jesus proved He is neither a liar nor a lunatic but He is Lord! And because He is God, He Did rise again, He has the authority to pay the penalty for our sins before God and gives us salvation (forgiveness of and deliverance from sin and its consequences).
Romans 6:23a tells us that “For the wages (payment) of sin is death…” Romans 3:23 tells us “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” No exceptions, every person has sinned, and the payment for sin is death.
2. Jesus is Worthy. John 1:1, 14 declares Jesus to be fully God and fully Man. 1 Peter 2:22 tells us Jesus never sinned. 1 John 2:2 tells us Jesus’ death was acceptable payment for our sin. Although He had never sinned He was counted worthy to pay for our sin because we are not worthy and our payment is unacceptable. Because Jesus was sinless, death could not hold Him.
3. There is Hope! 1 Corinthians 15 tells us that without belief in the resurrection, our faith means nothing. If we believe Jesus was resurrected, then we accept that He is God. Jesus is able to take our sin, take our place, He is worthy to be our propitiation (our stand in as atoning sacrifice) for punishment of sin. No other religion was founded by a person who died then came back to life, promising that His followers would do the same. Christ’s Resurrection shows us that He conquered sin and He Conquered death. John said in 1:29b “…Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
This is the great hope! God accepted Jesus’ sacrifice on your behalf. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…” (Acts 16:31). You will not stay dead at the end of your physical life, but you will be resurrected into an eternal life with God! “…the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23b).
Jesus said, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die”
(John 11:25-26).
Author: Editor
Community Connection is an outreach magazine and blog from Valley Forge Baptist to provide relevant and uplifting articles for the families and homes of Collegeville, PA and area residents. Articles are not just from staff but from other community members who’s lives have been touched by Jesus Christ. If we have been an encouragement to you please let us know at info@vfbt.org.
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