Resurrection

Why does it matter that Jesus came back to life? He died for your sins, we know that, but why is it so important that He was raised from the dead? On Easter Sunday I was in a room full of churchgoers and I asked that very question. Sadly, the answer was a mystery to many.

Do you know the answer? You have probably celebrated Easter much of your life, but do you know why Easter, the day we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection, really matters?

GOD IS POWERFUL

1. The resurrection is a display of God’s power. I love the taunting nature of 1 Corinthians 15:55-57. God is all-powerful. If death can’t stop Him then nothing can. Far too often Christians see God and Satan as dueling rivals. This is bad theology. God is the God of even Satan, The Accuser. God has power over him too and Satan operates within the boundaries that God allows. Satan is no match for God — not even close, and he knows it. If death is Satan’s victory, God has the power to overturn that victory.

WE HAVE HOPE

1. The resurrection gives us hope. The fact that God has power over death serves as a reminder that something happens to us after we die, and if we trust in the provision from The One who has power over death, we have hope for eternal life. He wrote a check for us on the cross, paying for all of our sins so that we don’t have to. At the resurrection, the "check cleared". His payment for our sins was good and we are saved from the eternal consequence of sin if we believe that. Romans 10:9.

WE HAVE GUIDANCE

1. The resurrection allows for Jesus to direct us toward righteousness here on Earth. We do not worship a dead God, but One who is alive and active in our lives. He lives and He guides us. Paul writes in Galatians 2:20 that it is not he who lives but Christ who lives in Him. In Acts we see that in Him we live and move and have our being. This is why we talk so much about dependence. We don’t have a sin problem; we have a dependence problem. If Jesus is driving, we’re not sinning.

WE HAVE A MEDIATOR

1. The resurrection allows for Jesus to be our Mediator. This is really good news. Hebrews 7:25 says that Jesus can save us because He lives to intercede for us. Satan is constantly telling God how you are guilty. He takes your sins and tries to hold you as a guilty hostage. Jesus, however, serves as a reminder that those sins have been paid for. He hushes the accuser's accusations and declares us righteous by His payment. Satan says "guilty"; Jesus says "sentence served, FREE!"

Our God is not dead. He is alive! He has displayed His power over death. He gives us hope for eternal life. He guides us in this life. And, He declares us righteous against the enemy’s accusations. How will you live for Him today?

• JP