Some two thousand years ago, Jesus Christ was crucified on the Cross of Calvary as sacrifice for the sin of the world and to ultimately mend the strained relationship between man and his Maker. The Bible from Genesis to Revelation talks about how God and Man tried to relate. But man being carnal would at every point in time fall short of God’s expectation. The coming of Christ to this world changed the story and broke every barrier between God and man with His death and resurrection on the third day.
The death of Christ is a symbol of victory. Victory over death, sickness, poverty and other works the devil uses to torment man. The beating, nailing to the cross and humiliation that Christ experienced, are all assurances that we as Christians and all that believe in His death and resurrection have been insured – we are exempted from such experiences while on earth.
His death brought salvation to man. “For God so loved the world that He have His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. Through Him, we are able to get remission for our sins and also receive the gift of the Holy Spirit at no cost. “Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit,’“Acts 2:38.
The salvation we enjoy through His death on the cross and the gift of the Holy Spirit, ensure our renewal.
“He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,” Titus 3:5.
Also, His resurrection is a testament of victory over death. The resurrection of Christ is a confirmation that those who died believing in Christ as the Son of God and lived a life of holiness while on earth, would rise again at the second coming of Christ. It is an assurance that indeed the power of death has been demystified. “But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.” I Corinthians 15:57
Asides from victory over death, His resurrection validates that we are guaranteed a better life at the end of time when we will shed off our current body and put on a glorious and heavenly body to live a life of eternity with Jesus Christ. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Peter 1:3-5
“And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of His Spirit who lives in you.” Romans 8:11. This verse tells us that the resurrection of Christ endows Christians with power to live a life of holiness led by the Holy Spirit who will lead us through a life that avoids sin. “Therefore if a man is in Christ, he is a new creature, old things have passed away, all things have become new.” II Corinthians 5:17.
In general, while we continue to live on earth and enjoy the salvation that was made feasible by the death and resurrection on the cross, it is important that we also give our life of commitment to others, especially those who are yet to give their lives to Christ.
This season, as we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the gains must not be lost in the celebration but the joy should be shared with others who are yet to believe and give their lives to Christ. That is when the joy of the celebration is achieved.
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