Saturday, March 30, 2013

A Pastor's Thoughts on the Resurrection


A Pastor's Thoughts on the Resurrection

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how 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:
1 Cor. 15; ,3, 4

   
 Today is Easter Sunday. This day has been called the Prince of Sundays. It is called that because is it on this day that we commemorate the resurrection of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. How important is the resurrection? Why is it significant that Christ died for our sins, then rose again? Some theologians and scholars have downplayed the importance of the resurrection.     
So, what is the resurrection? What is its importance?

    The resurrection is the key to all we as born again Christians hold dear. The resurrection is key to our salvation. Without the resurrection we have a savior on the cross. Without the resurrection we have a King in the grave. Without the resurrection our hope lies in a crypt; our confidence rests in a coffin. Our defense is in one who is defeated, and our protection in one held captive.
    How can the dead offer life to the living? How can the tomb hold the key to redemption? Truly, outside of the cross of Calvary we must toil and sacrifice to a vengeful God with little hope of mercy. And truly, outside of the resurrection we must bow to a religious system that relegates our relationship with God to little more than ancestor worship. Without blood there is no remission, and without the victory there is not spoil.

    But, as the angel in Luke 24 ; 2 asked, "Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but He is risen." He is risen. Those words turn a cross into an alter. Those words turn a sacrifice into a Savior. "He is risen!" Those words shake the gates of Hell, open the windows of Heaven, bring peace to the cursed Earth and make the grave into a pleasant place to wait for the resurrection.
    "He is risen" turns wrath to mercy.
    "He is risen" turns death to life.
    "He is risen" turns judgment to grace.
    "He is risen" turns fear into hope.

Because of the resurrection we can look to the cross and be saved by one who conquered Hell for us. Because of the resurrection we can face the grave holding the hand of one who defeated death and the grave. Because of the resurrection, Hells dread is turned to Heavens hope. 

    In that we now have the confidence given us by the resurrection of Christ, we rest in the confidence of our resurrection in the last day. Easter Sunday is our day. It is resurrection Sunday. Rest in it; joy in it; celebrate in the day of His resurrection. The glory of the cross and the hope of the resurrection are in Him. "He is risen."