Christ’s crucifixion and death showed God’s unconditional love for us. Although painful and agonizing, Christ died willingly for our sins. Because of this we are forgiven and no longer condemned. And while that is great news, without Christ’s resurrection what he did for us would be null and void. Christ was delivered to death for our sins, but raised to life for our justification. (Romans 4:23,24) In other words his death paid for our sins, but his resurrection is the proof or the receipt for that payment. The resurrection validates Christ and it validates us.
The resurrection validates Christ because what he said would happen did happen. Jesus knew he was going to be betrayed, condemned, mocked, beaten and die, but he also knew and told his disciples that he would be raised to life on the third day. (Matthew 20:18-20) And it took place just the way Jesus said it would. This is good news for us on so many levels, one being that we can trust everything Christ tells us.
The resurrection also validates our faith in Christ. Without the resurrection our faith is in vain and futile. (1 Corinthians 15:14-16) We can believe without a doubt that Christ is the resurrection and life he professed to be and we who believe in him will live – even though we might die, we will live again. (John 11:25-26)
Christ’s resurrection not only declares that Jesus Christ is Lord, but it celebrates the victory of life over death. Jesus conquered what no one could – death! Christ’s resurrection erased all doubt in anyone’s mind. Death can no longer hold us in bondage. “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:55) Death has no victory. Christ has the victory.
Christ’s resurrection was not only his victory, but ours, too. (1 Corinthians 15:57) Because of this victory Christ lives…and because Christ lives, we can live also. (Romans 6:8, 9)
So don’t go looking for Jesus in the grave or you won’t find him. He is not there. He is alive and all around you. He did just what he said he would do. He has risen! He has given us a great gift – his life!
“And the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid,
for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was
crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said…’”
(Matthew 28:5-6)
