Why the Resurrection Matters April 9, 2012
As a kid, Easter to me meant candy. I knew Jesus diedand rose; it just wasn’t something I really cared about. But candy? Now thatwas something I cared about deeply.
What about you? What does the resurrection mean toyou? Perhaps more to the point, what should it mean to you? The biblicalwriters don’t assume the resurrection is self-interpreting. They give clearreasons why it matters. Here are a few:
Intellectually, the resurrection matters because ifit’s not true, the entire Christian faith is empty. Our sins are not forgiven.We are pitiful fools. Even if our groundless faith has some practicalbenefits—say, it helps us cope with guilt or makes us nicer people—thesepositive effects don’t change the fact that our joy and niceness are based on afiction. If Jesus didn’t rise again, we’re delusional!
Relationally, theresurrection matters because it assures us that our sins can be forgiven. Why is this? Isn’t Jesus’ death enough to satisfy the wrathof God and open the door to heaven for us? No. The resurrection is utterlycrucial because it is the confirmation that Jesus’ work was enough. By raisingJesus from the dead, the Father in effect was saying, “I approve of what my Sonhas done. His work is complete. There is no penalty left to pay. My wrath issatisfied. He does not need to stay dead. I hereby certify that my Son has doneeverything He needed to do for sin to be forgiven. My Son, arise!”
Missionally, the resurrection matters for how itaffects our life’s objectives. It makes us witnesses, messengers, people withgood news to tell. The founder of every other faith is dead, but ours is alive.Furthermore, every other religion is about how people can get close toGod—through work, goodness, rituals. Christianity, on the other hand, is abouthow God drew close to people. Through Jesus, our sins have been dealt with!
Why does the resurrection matter? It verifiesChristianity is trustworthy. It proves you can be brought near to God throughfaith in Jesus. And it puts a calling on your life to go tell others the goodnews. All because He is risen. He is risen indeed!