This past weekend we celebrated Easter — the celebration of the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. It’s a time to remember what Jesus did for us when He conquered death on the cross. You might still wonder, what is the significance of the Resurrection and what did it accomplish for us?
First, we can know that the Resurrection of Jesus Christ justifies us before God. In Romans 4:25 Paul writes… “Who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.” Justification means, “the action of declaring or making righteous in the sight of God.” We can take great comfort in this truth. Because of our sinful nature we are separated from God and are not at all capable of a relationship with him (see more in Romans 6:28 and Isaiah 59:2). But, Jesus stepped in and took our punishment. He was the payment for our sins, something that we couldn’t do on our own!
Second, it gave Jesus victory over death. In Romans 6:9 it says, “We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.” The Resurrection showed that Jesus conquered death. Death is the punishment that we deserve, but Jesus took it upon Himself. Every one of us will die; nothing will let us escape it. But, Jesus rose from death — it had no control over Him. When we die, we will either let the punishment that was given to Jesus cover us or we will have to pay for it on our own. Death is no longer an enemy of ours because Jesus has defeated it. We do not need to fear death!
Lastly, the Resurrection unites us with Christ. In 2 Corinthians 4:14 we read, “Knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.” When we transfer our faith from ourselves and give it to Jesus, we are united with Him. This union means that we are clothed in the righteousness of Jesus and bound together by the Holy Spirit.
Let us daily remember what the Resurrection means to us as Christians!
Remembering,
Tony
Posted in A Word from the Pastor