THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RESURRECTION

“The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.” – Romans 8:11.

Each Easter Sunday, we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead. People look at the resurrection of Jesus differently. Some have worked hard trying to disprove the resurrection of Jesus. There are Christians who major in apologetics to confirm His resurrection. Others would be happy to ignore the whole thing. They are happy to consider Jesus as a teacher of morality, but not as the Son of God who died for sins and was raised from the dead. But to the believer, the resurrection is everything. 

It is fitting that we pause and reflect on the biblical teaching about the resurrection, especially the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and its significance. We cannot jump too quickly to the significance of the resurrection before we have embraced the truth of the resurrection itself. Long ago, C. S. Lewis reminded us that there is a tendency in our age “to believe something because it’s good, rather than because it is true.” But if it is not true then ultimately, it does not matter if it seems reasonable or not. We must be convinced of the truth of the resurrection and its positive and beneficial significance for each of us who are followers of Jesus.  

The resurrection of Jesus offers us overcoming power.  There is no greater enemy or obstacle in life than death itself, yet Jesus overcame it. No obstacle is too significant.  The resurrection gives us hope that we can overcome the trials and problems in our lives.

The significance of the resurrection is that our faith is not in vain, and our sins are forgiven. This is huge because we are all sinners. “All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own…” (Isaiah 53:6 ) Romans 3:23 says, “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” The truth is Jesus has paid for the entire world’s sins. “He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.” (I John 2:2). His resurrection is a statement that the atoning sacrifice was completed and that our standing with God is not contingent on meeting His standards which we could never do, it is contingent on our receiving Him as Lord and Savior.

God is at work in us. In Ephesians 1:19-20, Paul writes, “I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.” The same power the Father used to raise Jesus from the dead is at work in us. Take a second and let that sink in. This is a strong message from someone chained in a Roman prison while he writes this. Paul assures us that whatever happens in our lives, challenges we meet, and trials we face, God will fulfill all His purposes for us and His promises to us. 

The message of Easter is a message of eternal hope. What we do on this earth is not in vain. There is an eternal future with God waiting for each of us who are followers of Jesus.

Discussion Questions:

1. How should the resurrection impact your life daily?
2. How much do the evidence and faith play a role in your belief in the resurrection?
3. What does the resurrection mean for your past, present, and future?