Last Updated: March 2017
Easter Sunday is more than just a big event on the church calendar. It is a celebration of the biggest event in human history. Have you ever stopped to think, “Why do we have Easter? What’s the big deal?” What is the reason for the resurrection?
The Reason for the Resurrection
The word “Easter” is an unfortunate moniker because it doesn’t really tell us what the day is really about. Easter is about the resurrection. Thus, many Christians prefer to call it “Resurrection Sunday” instead. Easter is about the resurrection. And what’s the big deal about the resurrection?
1. The resurrection gives us confidence for our future. Because Jesus rose from the dead, we can be certain that we will rise from the dead, too. (1 Corinthians 15:19; 1 Thessalonians 4:14; 1 Peter 1:3).
2. The resurrection gives us a living faith. Imagine the Christian faith with a dead Jesus. It wouldn’t be a faith at all! Although some faith traditions focus upon deceased personages, the Christian faith is embodied in a living person, Jesus Christ. Without the resurrection, there could not be a true Christianity. When God declares us righteous — the Bible calls it ‘justified’ — it’s all because of Jesus’ resurrection (Romans 4:25).
3. The resurrection provided forgiveness of sin. We often refer the fact that Jesus died as the reason why our sins are forgiven. That is true, but there’s more to it. Scripture tells us also that Jesus’ resurrection is the reason for the forgiveness of sin (1 Corinthians 15:13-17).
4. The resurrection proves Jesus’ divinity. Although Jesus was fully man, he wasn’t only a man. Mere men don’t raise themselves from the dead. In the case of Jesus, he asserted his status as God’s Son when he rose from the dead.
5. The resurrection eliminated the finality of death. When Jesus rose from the dead, he put death to death (1 Corinthians 15:55). Death couldn’t claim final vengeance. Instead, Jesus claimed power over death and sin. Our lives don’t end when we’re placed six feet under. Death didn’t end Jesus. Death isn’t the end for us, either. We will rise because Jesus rose (1 Corinthians 15:12-19).
6. The resurrection establishes the certainty of Christ’s future reign. If Jesus’ bones and flesh have returned to Middle Eastern dust, the future of mankind is bleak indeed. In reality, however, Jesus is alive. This is why Paul wrote in the Resurrection Chapter (1 Corinthians 15) about Jesus’ future reign. Jesus’ future reign is predicated upon his resurrection.
To sum up, the resurrection is everything that Christianity stands for. Paul put it bluntly: “If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.” End of story.
If you really want to live an empty life, try denying the resurrection. On Resurrection Sunday, we celebrate the single greatest event in the history of the world. This epochal moment signaled change in the world. Christ, the God-Man, rose from the dead. He banished death, dealt sin a fatal blow, and provided hope for the millions in the world who would find true life in him.
This Resurrection Sunday, let us exult in the life-giving, world-changing, soul-saving reality that Christ is alive today. He is risen! He is risen indeed!
For excellent Easter Sunday resources, be sure to check out the massive collection of Easter PowerPoints, videos, bulletins and other Easter media.