Every Sunday we gather in worship, remembering the first day of the week on which Jesus bodily resurrected from the dead. This weekly routine gives testimony to how significant the resurrection of Christ is to each one of us. In addition, each year at Easter we publicly put an emphasis on that bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. As followers of Christ, I’m convinced that that we are fully aware that the bodily resurrection of Jesus is a cause for celebration. However, the more I study the resurrection, the deeper my appreciation grows in understanding just how momentous this one truth is that dominates much of the New Testament. We whole-heartedly celebrate the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ because:
- It is the cornerstone of Christianity and the basis of our hope. (“if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile, and you are still in your sins – 1 Cor. 15:17; “he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ – 1 Peter 1:3)
- It proves Jesus’ triumph over sin and death and His claims of divine authority. (Jesus “was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by His resurrection from the dead” – Romans 1:4)
- It guarantees the bodily resurrection of His followers. Our future is gloriously tied directly to His future and the best is yet to come. (“for since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep” – 1 Thessalonians 4:14)
- It’s further proof that God’s plan to end death and dwell with His people will ultimately see a successful completion (“and I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more” – Revelation 21”3-4).
- It demonstrates the power of God which now lives within every believer and as such provides purpose for our lives on earth (“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” – Romans 8:11)
With one of the earliest saints in Scripture, we join Job in saying “I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, not another. My heart faints within me.” (Job 19:25-27)
He is Risen,
David Brewer
Elder
David Brewer has served as an Elder of Tri-Cities Baptist Church Since 2009. He is married to his wife Lynda and they have four children; Abigail, Philip, Leah, and Elizabeth.