1 Corinthians 15:3-4
For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.
So far we have been meditating on the manifold blessings of the Cross of Christ, that is, of the sacrificial death of Christ at Calvary. Now we reflect on another indispensable element of the Gospel–the resurrection of Christ.
Let’s face it, other faiths have martyrs who also willingly suffer and die for their cause. However, Jesus’ atoning sacrifice is not in the same league as other “martyrs”. Besides, our Saviour’s death is uniquely different from any other religious founder’s precisely because He rose again. Indeed, if our Redeemer had died according to the Scriptures but failed to rise again, we would be lost and still in our sins (1Co 15:17)!
Our very salvation depends on a solid revelation of Jesus’ resurrection: “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Rom 10:9). We are indeed saved because Jesus’ death paid the penalty for our sin (atonement) and because He ever lives to fulfil His advocacy role for the redeemed.
Moreover, our sense of victory flows from a revelation of the resurrection of Christ: “Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us” (Rom 8:34).
Believers who know the power of His resurrection are indomitable, come what may. Because He lives, you can face tomorrow. Because He lives, all fear is gone. Because you know He holds your future, life is worth living. That is your portion!
Pastor Josh