The Word - April 9, 2012 - THE IMPORTANCE OF THE RESURRECTION

"And what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised him from the dead and seated him at His right hand in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 1:19-20).

The truth of the resurrection of Christ is one of the most important doctrines of the Christian faith. In 1 Corinthians 15:14 Paul says, "If Christ be not risen from the dead, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is vain also."

Roams 14:25 says, "Jesus was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification." To be saved, we must believe in the resurrection of Christ as well as in his death. Romans 10:9 reminds us, "That if we confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

This was the supreme miracle of the ages. No human eye witnessed the conception of Jesus. No human eye witnessed the inward, ultimate sufferings of Christ. No human eye witnessed the moment of the resurrection. But thank God, He is risen, the tomb is empty.

He showed himself to his disciples, and to over 500 brethren at one time. Forty days after his resurrection, He was received up into heaven with His disciples looking on. He is a Prince and Savior, able to save to the uttermost, all who will come to God by Him.

Now He is seated at the Father's right hand, "Far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And has put all things under His feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him who fills all in all."

His is risen! He is coming again!

He lives, the great Redeemer lives; What joy the blest assurance gives! And now before His Father, God, pleads the full merit of His blood.