As we think this week about the resurrection of Jesus, consider that the resurrection is God’s declaration of approval of the cross. It is the declaration that the cross is not a failure. It is not a loss. It is victory.
First, it is a victory of mystery. What is that mystery? It is the mystery of Jesus. What makes Him special? Why do people need Him? Why would He come to save us? All of those questions swirl around the cross. These questions and more faced the apostles after the death of Jesus. The resurrection answers those questions – Jesus is the One that God has approved to save! Jesus is the One who has found victory over death! Jesus is the One worth listening to.
“He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.” (Acts 17:31)
But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.
1 Corinthians 15:20-22
Second, it is a victory over death. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 15 that Christ’s victory in the resurrection is the proof that our victory over death is also assured. Death is the great enemy of our life. We hate it. We fear it. In the resurrection of Jesus, death is defeated!
What a Savior! What a mystery! But, to be honest, the most profound mystery is the mystery of love. It is the mystery that keeps God reaching out to us. Love redeems. Love saves. This love reveals another profound mystery – why would anyone would wait to say yes to the love of Jesus?!
Something to think about,
Pastor John
Calvary Baptist Church - 
As I looked at the picture you have here and read your words, the song “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” came to mind.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of Earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.
Yes, the love of Jesus and His glory and grace just make everything worth it. I love how he conquered death. The verse I Corinthians 15:22 really caught my attention as it talks about how in Adam (or our flesh) we all die, but in Christ (who came to baptize us in the Spirit) we all will be made alive. What a glorious thing to come to understand! I praise God for working to bring the dead to life through Jesus. Thank you for this encouragement today. I just need to keep looking to the cross.
Thanks for your thoughts today! Yes, in Adam we all die, but in Christ we are all made alive! It truly is glorious.
May God bless you!