The resurrection really matters, because…

Jesus’ resurrection demonstrates that Jesus is indeed the divine Son of God

By his resurrection, Jesus was declared with power to be the Son of God (Romans 1:4).

Jesus’ resurrection proves that Jesus’ death was indeed a sacrifice able to atone for our sins and reconcile us to God

Unless Jesus’ identity as the unique divine Son of God was confirmed by his resurrection, his death would have been of no more significance or saving power than any other human death.

Jesus’ resurrection means that Jesus is at the right hand of the Father, interceding for those who belong to him

Romans 8 reminds us that Jesus who died and was raised to life is at the right hand of God, interceding for us. Because of the resurrection, we have an advocate at the highest possible level, within the being of the infinite Triune God.

Jesus’ resurrection demonstrates God’s power over death, and that Jesus has opened up for believers a path to eternal life with God

Prior to his death and resurrection, Jesus had declared: “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever lives in me will live, even though he die”. Unless Jesus rose from the dead, that promise would have been false and empty.

Jesus’ resurrection led to the birth of the worldwide church

On the day of Pentecost proclaimed “God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it”, and 3000 people were baptized and joined the infant church. But if Jesus had not risen from the dead, there would be no Christian church, and we would never have even heard of Jesus.

Jesus’ resurrection means that Jesus is forever living Lord of the church

We serve a living Lord, and we are led and sustained by a living Lord.

Jesus’ resurrection gives us confidence that one day he will return, to defeat all evil, end all suffering, and make all things new.

Without Jesus’ resurrection, we would see no end to the relentless human cycle of evil, suffering, and death. But because Christ is risen, we look forward in confidence and expectation, to when Jesus fully establishes the awesome reign of God.

Author: Dr Stuart Lange

Dr Stuart Lange is the National Director of the NZCN and is a Senior Research Fellow at Laidlaw College, where he was formerly Vice Principal. Stuart wrote and presented the historical DVD documentary Te Rongopai: 200 years of the Gospel in New Zealand, 1814-2014.