Aug 06 2008
What is the Importance of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ?
A. It is the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Bill of Rights of the Christian faith.
B. It emphasizes the absolute uniqueness and utter superiority of the Christian faith.
The founders of all other religions in human history eventually died. But only the founder of Christianity (who also died) is alive and active today! Thus, in one sense of the word, the empty tomb, not the cross, serves as the official sign of Christianity!
C. It is the final side making up the divine triangle of salvation.
Thus:
1. Jesus’ birth made it possible.
2. Jesus’ death made it actual.
3. Jesus’ resurrection made it certain.
D. It serves as the official measurement of God’s power.
We are all aware of how man measures power, using such units as candle power, horse power, atomic power, etc., but how is divine power measured? In the scriptures there are two such standards of measurement.
1. In the Old Testament it is the power God used in bringing Israel out of Egypt.
“And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen. And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them. But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore. Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore” (Exod. 14:26-31).
2. In the New Testament it is the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
“And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places” (Eph. 1:19, 20).