Notes From the Pastor's Desk
April 20, 2025
The Necessity of Christ's Resurrection
It was necessary that Christ not only die the vicarious death He died, but also that He victoriously rise from the dead. A dead Christ cannot save, but He who has defeated death, hell and the grave, through His own blood, is able to save and keep. Since Christ was and is the Son of God, we could not expect the grave to be able to hold Him. Peter said it was “not possible” (Acts 2:24) that He should be holden of it. Let's consider why Christ must rise from among the dead.
I. That He Might Fulfill The Scriptures
Read Jn. 2:19. Jesus promised His disciples when the temple of His body would be destroyed, He would raise it up again. They thought He spake of the Jewish temple, but Christ had His body, crucifixion and resurrection in mind when He spoke. He had to be raised to fulfill His own promise.
II. That He Might Forgive Sins
See 1 Cor. 15:17. If Christ is not raised, we are yet in our sins. It was sin that brought about eternal separation from God. Jesus' resurrection was the sign that the Father accepted the payment of His Son for sin.
III. That He Might Justify The Sinner
Think about Rom. 4:25. The Bible says He was “raised for our justification.” That not only has to do with our being declared righteous on the basis of what Jesus has done for us, it has to do with our future. His treating us righteous has yet another aspect to be fulfilled, when we are raised for a future state of glory forever.
IV. That He Might Give The Believer Hope
In 1 Cor. 15:19 we are told that those who have hope in this life only are of all men most miserable. Hope is something we have through Christ that moves us and causes us to look forward to the future.
V. That Our Preaching Would Have Value
Muse over 1 Cor. 15:14. We preach a risen Christ who has power to save. Since Jesus is alive, we can preach!
VI. That Our Faith Would Be Worthwhile
Our faith would be in vain if Christ had not risen but, thank God, He did rise!