Which is More Significant: Christ’s Death or His Resurrection?

(Editor’s Note: Last month, we celebrated Easter, and this month, we’ll dive into why this celebration is crucial to the gospel and to us as believers).

At the core of the Christian message lies the death and the resurrection of Christ Jesus.

Both truths are tightly intertwined, much like the threads in a piece of cloth.

Without the resurrection, Jesus’ ministry would conclude in defeat and disappointment.

Thus, the cross of Christ secures a victory for us that we could never achieve on our own.

The Bible emphasizes how Christ disarmed powers and authorities, triumphing over them through his death on the cross.

In this way, God disarmed the evil rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross of Christ.

Colossians 2:15

Why did Jesus suffer so much?

He did because of you and me.

The Bible explicitly reveals that Christ took upon Himself the punishment we deserved.

It tells us that all have sinned, resulting in a separation from God, and the consequence of sin is death.

Yet, Jesus bore this punishment for us, breaking the power of sin over us.

Through His death, Jesus defeated the works of the devil, condemned Satan, and fulfilled the promise of crushing the serpent’s head.

Without Christ’s sacrificial death, we would remain in our sins, unforgiven and unsaved. However, the story doesn’t end there.

The resurrection of Christ is equally vital to the gospel message.

Our hope of resurrection hinges on His bodily resurrection.

Without it, our faith would be futile. But through His resurrection, we have the promise of eternal life and victory over death.

Jesus’ resurrection also declares us righteous and brings the gift of the Holy Spirit.

His fulfillment of prophecies confirms His divinity and faithfulness.

The angel at the empty tomb affirming His promise, declaring, “He has risen, just as He said.”

He isn’t here! He has been raised from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying.

Matthew 28:6

No Resurrection, No Salvation

The connection between the death and resurrection of Christ is pivotal, emphasized in Scripture and essential to maintain.

Jesus’ entry into the tomb is as significant as His triumphant exit from it.

In 1 Corinthians 15:3–5, Paul underscores the core of the gospel: Jesus died for our sins, His burial serving as evidence, and He rose again on the third day, His appearances confirming this to numerous witnesses.

This truth is of utmost importance.

Attempting to separate Christ’s death from His resurrection leads to a flawed understanding of the gospel.

Without Christ’s resurrection, our faith is rendered futile, and we remain in our sins, deserving of pity.

The absence of the resurrection means death reigns unchecked, serving as the just consequence of sin.

For Jesus’ resurrection to hold true significance, it must have been real that He died and genuine that He resurrected.

So Much More…

God’s predestined plan for believers revolves around their transformation into the likeness of His Son.

Jesus is acclaimed as “the firstborn among many brothers” because He is the firstborn from the dead.

For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn, with many brothers and sisters.

Romans 8:29

Our incredible privilege, ordained before the world’s foundation is to become like Christ.

The Spirit is already underway in sanctifying us, and we will complete this transformation when we are bodily raised, mirroring Him.

From eternity past, the Son, in harmony with the Father and the Spirit, chose to become incarnate, to suffer, and to die.

His resurrection over sin and death paves the way for us to share in His triumph, solely by His saving grace.

In this shared victory, we magnify His preeminent glory forever, ensuring that His kingdom knows no end.

There’s no greater perspective on Christ’s resurrection for our salvation than this truth.

Therefore, we cannot separate Christ’s death from His resurrection; they are inseparable components of God’s redemptive plan for humanity.