Jesus conquered death

Death is on my mind. In the past few weeks, several friends have died or lost loved ones. I could not have picked a worse time to read a book about the last great war where death is also a recurring theme. In coming to the Bible to hear God speak today, how delightful that He points to the reality of the resurrection.

But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. (1 Corinthians 15:20)

The resurrection is foundation to my faith in Christ. In fact, “If Christ has not been raised, preaching is in vain. . . . Faith is futile and we are still in our sins” (1 Corinthians 15:14,17).

But that is not all. The resurrection also proves the deity of Jesus Christ. The Bible says He “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). Moses and other prophets performed miracles, so it could be that Jesus of Nazareth could be seen as only a prophet —  apart from the resurrection.

The resurrection also points to Jesus’ sovereignty over all things, including life and death. “For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living” (Romans 14:9). The One who conquered death rightly rules over all things. I can trust Him because His power is a sure thing.

The resurrection has vital implications for other aspects of my salvation. Both justification (being declared free from guilt) and new life are linked to the fact that Jesus rose from the dead. In a discussion about Abraham, Paul wrote,

That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. (Romans 4:22–25)

As for new life in Christ, the apostle Peter wrote of the reason why this is our hope. (Remembering that in the Bible, hope is a promised certainty rather than the ‘wish’ or ‘hope so’ that is associated with that word today.)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. (1 Peter 1:3)

Paul also repeated this as the promise of God. “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).

My eternal destiny depends on the resurrection. Without its reality, I have no hope. However, the promises of God are made sure by this amazing event in history. That is, if Christ did not rise from the dead, then I shall not rise, but because He has risen then all who are alive or asleep in Christ will not perish; we shall step into eternity and see Him face to face.

********************

Oh Father, while death casts a pall, Your Word calls it a mere shadow (Psalm 23). Faith in You means that those who believe and have gone before me, have passed through that shadow and are now in the light of Your presence. I am sure of this because Jesus came, died, and rose again. He gives life to us who are otherwise dead in our trespasses and sins, and life to those who have died in Christ, yet who will never die. Thank You for faith to believe and thank You that You already live in my heart. Your life is my life because death could not hold You. You walked out of that tomb a winner!