Saturday Scripture Gold with Bibi: The Significance of the Resurrection

Hello, and welcome to Saturday Scripture Gold. Thank you for taking time out of your busy weekend to drop by!

Dr. Seamands tells of a Muslim who became a Christian in Africa. "Some of his friends asked him, 'Why have you become a Christian?' He answered, 'Well, its like this. Suppose you were going down the road and suddenly the road forked in two directions, and you didn't know which way to go, and there at the fork in the road were two men, one dead and one alive--which one would you ask which way to go?'"
-Warren Webster, April, 1980, HIS, p. 13.

"Easter Sunday" is an annual holiday celebrated by many. Millions of people commemorate the resurrection of Jesus on this day. Many consider it as "the most holy" of religious holidays. For some, it marks the only time they attend church services (Christmas runs a close second!)

Christians in the first century did not have an annual observance of this event. The word "Easter" is found only once in the KJV Bible (cf. Acts 12:4). The word in the Greek is actually "Passover", and so translated elsewhere in the KJV. "It is reasonably certain that the NT contains no reference to a yearly celebration of the resurrection of Christ" (ISBE). The annual observance is a human tradition, introduced in the second and third centuries.

Churches today who follow the New Testament pattern do not celebrate "Easter" per se. Like the church in Jerusalem, they are content to abide in the apostles' doctrine (Acts 2:42). They note Paul's teaching regarding religious holidays (cf. Galatians 4:9-11). And, they also value Jesus' warning regarding the traditions of men (cf. Matthew 15:9).

This does not in any way demean the importance of the resurrection of Christ. It has great significance to the Christian. It is something we should think about often (certainly more than once a year!). And, it is an appropriate subject even on "Easter Sunday", just as sermons on thankfulness are around Thanksgiving, and mothers are on Mother's Day. Even though churches may not celebrate such holidays per se.

With that thought in mind, allow me to use this opportunity to review the significance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ for the Christian. It's significance can first be seen by considering the following...

What if Christ was not raised? If this was so, then gospel preaching is in vain (1 Corinthians 15:14). The preaching of the apostles is empty, meaningless because they proclaimed nothing more than a fairy tale, a story of fiction.

We would also have to say our faith is vain (1 Corinthians 15:14). Our belief in Christ would also be empty, and meaningless. For our faith would be on a lie, a story of make believe, not truth.

We would have to conclude that the apostles were false witnesses (1 Corinthians 15:15). They swore that God raised Jesus from the dead (Acts 2:32). They also claimed to spend 40 days with Him after the resurrection, eating and drinking with Him (Acts 10:39-41). There is no way they could have been deceived or mistaken; either they told the truth or they were deliberate liars, deceivers, and frauds!

We would have to say that we are still in our sins (1 Corinthians 15:17). It would have been a liar or lunatic that died on the cross. No such person could have provided a sacrifice that was holy and without blemish.

We would have to say that believers have perished at death.(1 Corinthians 15:18). Their faith would have been in a false Messiah. They would have had no atonement for their sins. Dying in their sins, there would be no hope.

Lastly, we would have to say that Christians are to be pitied (1 Corinthians 15:19) for the following reasons:

1. Because we believe in a false Messiah;
2. Because our faith in Him leads us to refrain from much worldly pleasure;
3. Because we are often ridiculed or persecuted for our faith.

As Paul makes it clear, the resurrection of Christ is foundational to the Christian faith. If Jesus is not raised, then we should not be Christians! Now let's examine the significance from another angle.

What if Christ has been raised? In that case, it verifies our justification (Romans 4:24-25). Jesus claimed His blood would be adequate (Matthew 26:28). By raising Jesus from the dead, God demonstrated His acceptance of Jesus as a sacrifice for our sins! (Romans 8:33-34).

His resurrection demonstrates the power available to the Christian (Ephesians 1:18-20); the power available at our conversion (Colossians 2:11-12; 1 Peter 3:21); and the power available to live the Christian life (Romans 8:11-13; Philippians 2:12-13; 4:13; Ephesians 3:20; 6:10).

It also gives us hope concerning our own resurrection (1 Peter 1:3). Simply put, His resurrection gives us a living hope! (1 Peter 1:21). Especially concerning the resurrection of believers! (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14).

Finally, His resurrections demands our complete loyalty (Romans 14:9). He was raised and then exalted to become our Lord (Acts 2:32-36; Ephesians 1:20-23). Thus, our lives and service belong to Him (Romans 14:7-8; 2 Colossians 5:15).

In conclusion, the impact of the resurrection of Jesus should not go unfelt in our lives. As a historical event it has everlasting implications for both the believer and the unbeliever. The believer must never lose sight of the significance of the
resurrection. Do our lives demonstrate that we serve a risen Lord and Savior? Do we possess the hope, peace, and strength that the reality and power of His resurrection gives to the Christian?

The unbeliever also needs to examine the significance of the resurrection carefully. It verifies the deity of Jesus, that He has all authority (Romans 1:4; Matthew 28:19; Act 2:36). It verifies the truthfulness of what He taught, such as...

1) No one can come to the Father but through Him (John 14:6)
2) His blood was shed for the remission of sins (Matthew 26:28)
3) He came to offer abundant life (John 10:10)
4) He went to prepare a place for us (John 14:2)
5) He shall come again (John 14:3)
6) There will be a resurrection of the dead and ensuing judgment (John 5:28-29; 12:48)

If Jesus rose from the dead, then one must believe in Him! (cf. John 8:24). May we never forget "the significance of the Resurrection of Christ" in our lives!

Now, let's pray...

O Father, give us the humility which realizes its ignorance, admits its mistakes, recognizes its need, welcomes advice, accepts rebuke. Help us always to praise rather than to criticize, to sympathize rather than to discourage, to build rather than to destroy, and to think of people at their best rather than at their worst. This we ask for in thy name's sake. Amen

Until next time...

Have a blessed week!

Bibi