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Although the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ are both crucial events in human history, the former is typically given more attention than the latter. Such emphasis is understandable, as His death resulted in all humanity's sins being paid in full and Christ earning the salvation mankind could not. However, the Scriptures also note the resurrection's significance to believers, especially through the assurances it provides us.
For example, the resurrection assures us that we serve a living Savior. Nearly every religion looks up to or even worships some mortal human being that no longer lives. This contrasts with Christianity, where our Savior's miraculous resurrection is recorded in all four gospel accounts. Furthermore, Romans 8:34 not only proclaims Christ's resurrection, but also notes His position in heaven at the right hand of the God the Father. In addition, the same verse and Hebrews 8:1 note that Christ continues to serve us in this position, interceding on our behalf as our high priest. Thus, Christ's resurrection assures us that we worship and serve not a dead man, but a living Savior.
His resurrection also ensures our regeneration. 1 Peter 1:3 states that Christ's resurrection allowed us to become born again in Him and new spiritual lives. Romans 8:11 explains that because He was resurrected, He continues to live not just in heaven, but also in us through the Holy Spirit awakening our human spirits upon salvation. This event brought about our regeneration, which reestablished our fellowship with God and enabled us to receive His love, guidance, and peace. Furthermore, this regeneration that Christ brought about through His resurrection allows us to receive spiritual power from Him as Ephesians 1:19-20 state. Thus, Jesus' resurrection allowed us to be born again, receive restored fellowship with God, and receive the Holy Spirit's power.
In addition, the resurrection ensures our justification. In Romans 4:25, the Apostle Paul notes that while Jesus' death paid for our trespasses, His resurrection ensured that we would be justified in God the Father's sight. Philippians 2:8-9 note that God approved of Jesus' obedient and selfless death for our sakes. In raising up Christ from the dead, the Father demonstrated His approval of His Son's work of salvation, thus enabling believers to be declared forgiven before God. Thus, Christ's resurrection assures us of our righteous standing before the Lord.
Finally, His resurrection ensures us that we will also be resurrected one day. In 2 Corinthians 4:14 and 6:14, the Apostle Paul notes that we will one day be risen up by the same power that rose Christ from the grave. This resurrection is detailed in 1 Corinthians 15:12-58, which notes that this resurrection will see us receive new glorified bodies as Christ did. This will occur during Christ's second coming, where He will raise the dead bodies of all believers, with these bodies being made to be perfect and imperishable as verses 52 and 53 state. Thus, as verse 20 states, Christ's resurrection represented the first of many resurrections that will take place in our future.
Jesus' resurrection is not a simple event meant to be glossed over but is rather a crucial event in God's plan that holds many significant truths for us. As the Scriptures make clear, His rising from the dead ensures that we worship a living Savior, are regenerated and justified, and will receive a resurrected body when He returns.
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