Why is the resurrection so important – what does it mean for us?
- Jesus’ resurrection from the dead demonstrates His power to defeat Satan… death [could not] keep its hold on him (Acts 2:24).
- And Jesus’ resurrection is also God’s affirmation or ‘yes’ to the sacrifice Jesus made being accepted. That’s why Jesus didn’t stay dead? His resurrection is the absolute proof that Jesus’ sacrifice is all-sufficient for the forgiveness of sins. – If we accept Jesus; if we trust Him and follow Him, we are cleansed and forgiven and receive the promise of eternal life.
- The resurrection verifies the truth of Scripture. Both in the Old Testament (e.g. Psalm 16v10; 110v1) and in the words of Jesus, His resurrection is clearly taught. (If Jesus did not rise from the dead then the Bible would not be true.)
- The resurrection also proves that there is going to be a Judgment Day. Acts 17:31 says: “[God] has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead.” This promise of future judgment helps us, as Christians, to live in this fallen world where evil pervades, and it assures us that one day justice will be done. (If there was no Judgment Day some people would literally get away with murder.)
- The resurrection proves that Jesus is who He says He is… I am the gate for the sheep, whoever enters through me will be saved… I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. (John 10:7, 9, 11).
- And Jesus’s resurrection assures us of our own resurrection and future inheritance. Jesus said: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die” (John 11:25). He went on to say, “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you and I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:2-3)
What will our future inheritance look like? We don’t really know for certain because we are not given detailed information. Instead, we are given picture language, poetry and symbols, to try and describe the indescribable. If fact the Bible says, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9), That’s how wonderful it’s going to be; so wonderful it’s indescribable in earthly terms!