The day after the death and burial of Jesus, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered before Pilate worried that the disciples’ may steal the body. So Pilate ordered soldiers to guard the tomb (Matthew 27:62-66). However, nothing was going to get in the way of what happened early that Sunday morning – the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ refers to that event in which He was raised to life. It occurred three days after His crucifixion (Luke 24:46; Acts 10:40; 1 Cor. 15:4), which took place on the first day of the week (Mark 16:9). The resurrection of Christ was an event foretold by the prophets (Psalm 16:10) and prophesied by Christ Himself (Matt. 20:19; Mark 9:9; 14:28; John 2:19-22) – it was a necessary event (Luke 24:45-46). After His resurrection He appeared to Mary Magdaline and other women (Matt. 28:9; Mark 16:9; John 20:18). He also appeared to the disciples (John 20:26), to a crowd of about 500 (1 Cor. 15:6) and later on to Paul (1 Cor. 15:8). The resurrection was the power of the Triune God on display (The Father: Acts 2:24; 3:15; Rom. 8:11; Eph. 1:20; Col. 2:13; the Son: John 2:19; 10:18 and the Holy Spirit: 1 Peter 3:18). It was powerful! In this post I would like to sure three demonstrations of the power of the resurrection of Christ in the life of the Christian.
The Power of the Resurrection in Justification
If we are going to be forgiven of sins and justified by God, it was necessary that the Lord Jesus Christ would rise from the dead. The act of the Jesus Christ rising up from the grave was a public demonstration that Christ’s suffering and death satisfied the wrath of God. The Father accepted and approved the perfect sacrifice of His Son. In his letter to the Romans Paul writes concerning Christ, “who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification” (Rom. 4:25). If this did not occur we would be bot be forgiven. In his grand chapter on the resurrection Paul again writes, “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins” (1 Cor. 15:17).
The Power of the Resurrection in Sanctification
By virtue of the resurrection of Christ, the believer is granted the ability to grow in Christlikeness. It logically flows from the previous point that if Christ was not raised from the dead we would still be lost in our sins. However, because we have been raised up with Christ, we are to “seek those things that are above” (Col. 3:1). Because of our union with Him we are to pursue those things that are pleasing unto the Lord. The resurrection of Christ enables us to bear fruit for God (cf. Rom. 7:4). As we strive to walk in the will of Lord, let us be reminded that our resurrected Lord is interceding for us (Rom. 8:34).
The Power of the Resurrection in Glorification
The power of the resurrection is also seen in the certainty of the believer’s future bodily resurrection. Jesus stated plainly,
“Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear His voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment” (John 5:28-29).
The reality behind what we read in verses 28-29 is amazing. Every single person in history will one day be raised up and will stand before God. With authority and command, the Lord Jesus Christ will speak and the dead will be raised. Note that Jesus speaks of two different kinds of resurrection – “the resurrection of life” and “the resurrection of judgment“. The first is in reference to believers and the second to unbelievers. The reason why some are able to expect the resurrection of life is because they trust in Christ for salvation. It is His death and resurrection that makes their future one possible. This future event is something the people of God for centuries have anticipated (1 Cor. 15:51-52; 1 Thess. 4:16-17). This will be a spectacular event. At the return of Jesus Christ His people will be changed instantly. They will receive resurrected bodies and will be fitted out to enjoy the eternal kingdom of their Lord.
The resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is powerful.
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