IMPORTANCE OF THE RESURRECTION

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

IMPORTANCE OF THE RESURRECTION

(Rom 4:25) who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.

You know when you think about it the resurrection doesn’t get much focus in people’s minds. On the religious side the emphasis is Jesus hanging on a cross in what is called a crucifix. It can be worn around a neck or you see a larger size in many churches and cathedrals. On the other side of the spectrum you see the skeptics disregarding the resurrection altogether. To them Jesus was just a man and not God. But is the resurrection really essential to a person’s belief and more notably to a person’s salvation? What is the IMPORTANCE OF THE RESURRECTION?

The apostle Paul wrote an extended treatise concerning the resurrection that is often overlooked. In this grand chapter of 1 Corinthians 15 he outlines the Fact of the Resurrection (1-11), the Significance of the Resurrection (12-19), the Order of the Resurrection (20-28), the Moral Implications of the Resurrection (29-34), the Body of the Resurrection (35-50), the Mystery of the Resurrection (51-57), and the Motivation of the Resurrection (58). Paul really makes you think through the resurrection. My favorite part is when he speaks of how our faith rises or falls on this cornerstone of our faith:

(1 Cor 15:13-17) But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. 14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. 15 Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. 16 For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. 17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!

Just think of it…if Jesus didn’t rise from the dead then Christ is still in the grave and our hope of a Savior is gone! He died for our sins but doesn’t live to forgive us of our sins. That means we would still be in our hopeless unregenerate position and would forever perish! Then all of our preaching would be in vain and we would have nothing to live for on earth or to look forward to beyond the grave.

But Jesus did rise from the dead! He was delivered up because of our offenses and was raised because of our justification. The resurrection seals the deal of our salvation. The empty tomb is crucial to our redemption. He died. He rose. He lives. We live through Him! Jesus said it the best: …Because I live, you will live also. (John 14:19)

I love the cross and the symbol of our Lord’s death. But wouldn’t it be great if we had more depictions of the empty tomb? It would remind us that every day is hopeful and a wonderful future is before us, even in the worst of times. Don’t leave Jesus on the cross! He is risen!!

Louie