Why Does the Resurrection Matter Today?

“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,” (1 Cor. 15:3-4)

In all our drive and passion to be “cross-centered” people, have many Christians unwittingly forgotten the importance and centrality of the resurrection? Does our focus on the gospel accidentally slip into a variety of declarations of Jesus’ death—the brutality of the cross, the bearing of our sins upon Himself, a substitutionary, effective atonement, His shed blood, and the forgiveness He provides…all without a mention of His rising from the grave three days later? Those of us who proudly wear the badge of “historically orthodox Christian” love to proclaim the truths of Good Friday and its staggering implications for all of mankind. But in our desire to keep the cross at the forefront of our faith, have we pushed the empty tomb to the background? 

In all reality, the resurrection is the pinnacle of our faith. Many mere men could die on a cross, and many did. But only the Son of God was able to rise from the grave! The resurrection—not the crucifixion—has been the point of attack for many atheists and liberal scholars throughout history. From the Sadducees denying the resurrection of the dead, to theories of a stolen body, to the Docetic belief that Jesus never truly had a physical body, many unbelieving groups have attacked the historical event of the resurrection. Sadly, a survey in the UK found that nearly 25% of professing Christians did not believe in the resurrection as described in the Bible. But what would our reality be if there really was no resurrection? 

If Jesus’ Resurrection Didn’t Happen

“Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.” (1 Cor. 12-14)

The Apostle Paul’s exposition of the centrality of the resurrection of Jesus in his letter to the church in Corinth clearly portrays the catastrophic consequences “if Christ has not been raised.” Not only is our preaching in vain, but our entire faith is worthless. If Jesus’ resurrection didn’t happen then:

1. Faith in Jesus Christ is Foolish

If we were worshipping a lifeless corpse lying somewhere in the Middle East, then we would be a foolish people indeed. 

2. All People Remain Dead in Sin

Without a redeemer and savior, we all remain dead in our sins, for “the wages of sin is death.” (Rom. 6:23)

3. All People Who Have Died Are in Hell

Without a sacrifice for sin, everyone who has died has done so without Christ’s atoning work on their behalf. Everyone has faced God’s judgement against sin apart from the mediation of Jesus. All people then are facing eternity in hell, a place Jesus says is “a fiery furnace” with “weeping and the gnashing of teeth.” (Matt. 13:42) 

4. Hundreds of Witnesses Were Liars

Many of same people who witnessed the risen Jesus who go on to proclaim the good news of his resurrection, spark a wildfire of Christ followers, and even die for their beliefs. These had to be individuals absolutely convinced of what they saw, or they were they were the craziest liars who ever existed, not willing to expose a myth under threat of persecution and death. In fact, even Jesus must be considered a liar, as he said himself “I am the resurrection and the life.” (John 11:25)

5. The Bible is Make-Believe 

If the culminating event of all of Scripture is not true, then what basis is there to trust any other portion of the text? We cannot deny or downplay the resurrection without denying the entire Christian faith. We are simply peddlers of a fairy tale if Christ was not raised.

These are just five sobering realities that exist if the resurrection of Jesus Christ did not occur. This is the reason why the resurrection of Jesus is just as important today as it was the day it took place over 2,000 years ago! We rejoice together with the words of the angel at the tomb, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here.” (Mark 16:6) All of our gospel teaching, preaching, and evangelism must ultimately center around three words: “He is risen!” 

Jesus’ Resurrection: Past, Present, and Future

How does the truth of this historical event that happened over 2,000 years ago impact our lives today? Let’s look at the ways that the risen Son of God gives us hope for our past, present, and future:

Past

On Easter, Christians everywhere remember the past event of Jesus Christ rising from the grave. This was a supernatural event for sure, but also a historical one. Jesus died. Jesus rose. Many people saw him. From this event sprang up a rapidly growing community of people who would carry the message of Jesus’ resurrection, delivering it with fervor, even under threat of persecution and death. For the Christian, every Sunday becomes Easter Sunday. Each and every time that the church gathers we should be looking to the past and celebrating the empty tomb and risen Lord!

Present

The same Jesus who was able to conquer the grave has also gifted us with the Holy Spirit. “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.” (Rom. 8:11) This enables us to walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:4) and know that Jesus is giving us strength (Rom. 8:4), comfort (John 14:16), and assurance (Phil. 1:6). 

Future

Jesus rising from the grave allows us to look forward to the resurrection of our bodies. “For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.” (1 Cor. 15:21-22) Because Christ was raised, we too will be raised. Then we will enjoy eternal communion and fellowship with the triune God. Amen!