But now is Christ risen from the dead.
1 Corinthians 15:20
One of my first struggles of faith was dealing with the resurrection of Jesus Christ. I can remember my first Easter as a Christian searching the various accounts of the resurrection described in the four gospels. Then one day I saw it. It was the personal encounter with the resurrected Christ that changed His followers so dramatically. They were changed from cowards into courageous men and women of God. Yep, the testimony of these first Christians bares witness to the veracity of the resurrection. His resurrection became the very cornerstone of their faith and preaching. Charles Spurgeon spoke of this truth in one of his devotionals, here is an excerpt.
“Again, our justification, that choice blessing of the covenant, is linked with Christ’s triumphant victory over death and the grave; for He was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification. Nay, more, our very regeneration is connected with his resurrection, for we are Begotten again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. And most certainly our ultimate resurrection rests here, for, If the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwells in you. If Christ be not risen, then shall we not rise; but if he be risen then they who are asleep in Christ have not perished, but in their flesh shall surely behold their God. Thus, the silver thread of resurrection runs through all the believer’s blessings, from his regeneration onwards to his eternal glory, and binds them together. How important then will this glorious fact be in his estimation, and how will he rejoice that beyond a doubt it is established, that now is Christ risen from the dead.
The promise is fulfill’d,
Redemption’s work is done,
Justice with mercy’s reconciled,
For God has raised his Son.”
He mentioned that the Resurrection effects us in many ways. One of those effects it has guarantees our justification. The very fact that Christ was raised from the dead declares that His sacrificial death was acceptable to God. This means my sins have been forgiven, the price for sin was paid, I stand justified before God. Next, my new birth becomes available. When Christ was risen, He appeared to His disciples. He breathed into their hearts the breath of life. This life is resurrection life. These disciples were born again that day. They were no longer slaves to their past, their sins were forgiven and they had received new life into their spirits. Finally, His resurrection guaranteed my resurrection. Jesus is actually the first fruit of a brand new race of men. When He returns, our bodies will immediately be made like His body. We will experience this glorious transformation in a twinkling of an eye. Since Christ is risen, my resurrection is assured.
