The Effect of Jesus' Resurrection

            In this month, we typically celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It was this pinnacle act that forever changed the scope of human existence, if not the course of history. For in His resurrection, we see the Father’s vindication of the Son’s innocence and God’s intervention into the realm of man with overwhelming power such that even man’s enemies of death, hell and the grave are utterly defeated. Whereas the founders of the other world “religions” lie as but dust in their tombs, Jesus of Nazareth is very much alive and reigning from His throne, sitting next to His heavenly Father, awaiting His return to complete His mission of redemption.

            We believe, at least many of us do, that this is the end of the story of redemption. However, this is most certainly not the not the case at all. First of all, according to the Scriptures, Jesus’ resurrection was but the “first fruits” (I Cor. 15:23), the initial harvest of our own resurrection that will assuredly take place after our deaths one day of which we do not know the hour or the year. Yet, if we are “in Christ” (i.e. if we have a personal relationship with Him), then we have already experienced a resurrection. We were spiritually dead in our sins and, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we were raised to new life in Christ (Eph. 2:1-10). Therefore, in this new resurrection power, He expects us to live out our lives in obedience and holiness as expressions of this change. This is what the apostle Paul means in being a “new creature in Christ” with “old things” having passed away, no longer having a bearing on our lives (II Cor. 5:17). By His resurrection power, we have the capacity and resources available and necessary to radically impact the people and community around us for the cause of Christ. The question is this: Are we willing to live as the followers of the risen Christ in which we profess to believe? If so, let’s do it and see all the good that we can accomplish in His Name and in the power of His resurrection!