Why Was The Resurrection Necessary

Side Note: All notes and articles found in this post is credited as Rev Dr Steve Reynolds who spoke at Life BP Church on Sunday, 30th March 2008.

Today's passage is taken from 1 Corinthians 15: 1-11.

The passage today recounts the death as well as resurrection of Christ. It is mentioned that "Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;" in v3. It then further goes on to tells us how "He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures:" in v4. One point we can take note of here, is that Jesus fulfilled the prophecies as mentioned in the Bible! No other religion in the world has had someone to truly fulfill prophecies, if any, stated in their "holy book".

From v5-8, it is accounted that Jesus was seen by many people after His resurrection. Firstly Cephas, then the twelve disciples to name a few. How is it possible, that after having so many witnesses, people still refuse to believe that the Lord is risen? Well, one common reason given, is that people do not believe what they do not see.

Moving alongto the main topic, why was the resurrection necessary? The answer is simple. Death.

Every human being here on earth is subjected to death, you and I alike. Why resurrection then? This is because when Christ rose from the dead, he conquered death itself! Hence, those who have believed in Him are saved from eternal death and suffering. Have you ever seen a bad pattern in your life? Or a bad problem? If your answer is no, that is a lie.

When our forefathers, Adam and Eve, sinned, we likewise were born into this world of sin, having "inherited" their sinful nature. "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23. Hence, it is needful for someone to come rescue us from death itself. This person is the Lord Jesus.

By Christ's death on the cross, we can see His infinitely love for us, and that He loved us so much as to pay the price for our sin. It wasn't even His own! But He paid the penalty for us by dying on that cruel tree. Will you still not come to Him? The blameless one who bore our iniquity and died for us? This was the rescue plan that God had planned out from eternity past. Through His resurrection, we can see His omnipotentcy, and that He is powerful enough to break the bonds of death. Oh how great the sacrifice our Saviour paid, but through that purchase, He saved the elect.

And so, rescue for the lost is attempted. Just like someone who is drowning in the pool, we are helpless to save ourselves. Christ, on the other hand, is the life guard, who throws the life buoy toward us. However, through all our struggling to save ourselves, we sometimes push the life buoy aside and refuse to grab hold of the buoy. In the end, the life guard stands there, shaking his head, because although a life could have been saved, the drowning person refused to be saved by someone else.

So the question is, are we willing to give up our own plans for rescue, to trust in the Lord's offer of rescue? Search the scriptures, and any other "holy book" or religion. But if you are really finding the antidote to death, Christ is the only way.

"I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:" John 11:25

May this short devotion bring the lost others to Christ, as well as rekindle the first love of those believers who have lost it.

God Bless.

Timo