Easter Sunday is a significant day for the Christian church, often compared to the Super Bowl in terms of its importance. It is a day that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, who was executed by the Romans via crucifixion. The Easter story is the bedrock of the Christian faith, and its truth has been declared by the Christian church for over two thousand years. However, there are still people who find it hard to believe this seemingly unbelievable story. They question how a dead person can come back to life and dismiss it as mere hallucinations or false memories. But today, I want to tell you that this story is not only true but also life-changing if you put your faith in it.
The resurrection of Jesus is the linchpin of the Christian faith, as the Apostle Paul argued in 1 Corinthians 15. He stated that if Christ has not been raised, our faith is futile, and we are still in our sins. The resurrection is what sets Jesus apart from any other human who has lived and died. It is what gives meaning to his life and death. Without the resurrection, his life and death would be meaningless. Jesus' resurrection is the ultimate display of his power over death, and it is through his resurrection that we have hope, new birth, and an imperishable inheritance.
In 1 Peter 1:3-4, the apostle Peter outlines the four gifts that a Jesus follower receives through the resurrection of Jesus: mercy, new birth, hope, and an inheritance.
The resurrection of Jesus is a display of God's great mercy towards humanity. Despite our sins and shortcomings, God sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sins and rise again, offering us forgiveness and salvation. Through the resurrection, we receive the mercy of God, which is undeserved and unearned. It is through this mercy that we are able to experience a restored relationship with God.
Through the resurrection of Jesus, we are born again spiritually. Just as Jesus conquered death and rose again, we are raised from spiritual death to newness of life. This new birth allows us to live in a manner worthy of the gospel and experience a transformed life through the power of the Holy Spirit.
The resurrection gives us a living hope, an expectation of the inheritance that awaits us in heaven. This hope is not uncertain or fleeting but is grounded in the certainty of Jesus' resurrection. It is a hope that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for us. This hope sustains us in the midst of trials and gives us confidence in the promises of God.
Through the resurrection, we receive an imperishable inheritance that is kept in heaven for us. This inheritance is far greater than any earthly possessions or wealth. It is a reward that is undefiled and unfading, offering us eternal joy and fulfillment in the presence of God. This inheritance is a reminder of the ultimate victory over sin and death that Jesus achieved through his resurrection.
The resurrection of Jesus is not just a theological truth to be understood but a reality that should transform our lives. It should give us peace in the midst of trials and motivate us to live in a manner worthy of the gospel. As followers of Jesus, we are called to prioritize our relationship with Him above all else and to live in a way that reflects His character and love. The resurrection is not just the linchpin of the Christian faith but should also be the linchpin and bedrock of our lives.
