Why the Resurrection?

As we enter this holy week leading up to Resurrection Sunday, let us remember how important the resurrection of Jesus Christ is to the Christian faith. Most Americans in one form or another celebrate the Christmas season, and yet only the professed Christian remembers and celebrates Christ's resurrection.

Not only does the Resurrection separate the nominal from the true believer, but it also empowers the true believer with hope beyond fleeting hope, life beyond earthly life, and power beyond human power. Those who have indeed believed that Father God raised His Son Jesus from the dead are counted as the righteous, not by anything we have done, but by the grace of God. It is belief in Christ's resurrection that allows us to participate in His resurrection; if we will count ourselves dead with Christ at the cross, then we will find ourselves raised to new life in Christ as well (Romans 6:1-14).

The most exciting news is this: When Jesus Christ was raised from the dead, He led all who believe in Him to a place, a status, where the sin and death that has haunted the earth since the Garden of Eden no longer has any power. Sin has no right to oppress the Christian, and death has no ability to keep the Christian in the grave. We are, in fact, raised to walk in a new life, free from sin's shackles and free from the fear of death! If Christ had not undone Satan's work by rising from the dead, we would have no hope. Instead, thanks be to God, we are filled with hope--powerful hope--because of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. May we celebrate our new life every day, not just on Easter.

God Bless you this Holy Week!