Why is the resurrection of Jesus essential to the Christian faith?
• First, the resurrection proves that Jesus is equal with God. He claimed equality with God, and for blasphemy, the Jewish authorities got Pilate to crucify Him. But God raised Him up. God would not have resurrected a blasphemer. He was “declared to be the Son of God with power… by the resurrection from the dead,” (Romans 1:4). • Second, the resurrection proves that Jesus’ death on the cross satisfied God’s righteous demands against us. “He was delivered up because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification,” (Rom. 4:25, NASB). His death was the payment God required for our sin; His resurrection is the receipt that the debt has been paid. Apart from the resurrection, we would still be “in our sins,” (I Cor. 15:17). • Third, the resurrection proves that we, ourselves, can look forward to a changed, improved body. Jesus said, “Because I live, you will live also” (John 14:19). Someday, these lowly bodies will be changed and be made like the glorious body of Jesus
