Luke 24:1-12

Nine Reasons the Resurrection is Important

First, A fulfillment of Jesus prediction before his death (authoritative prophet)

Second, An evidence of his power… Arguably the most powerful miracle that could be performed (Romans 1:4)

Third, Symbolic in the series of atonement acts… He died to pay for the penalty of sin. Yet he didn’t stay dead thus signifying the completeness of the atonement act = justification

Romans 4:25 “who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.”

Fourth, Closely related… it is a vindication of Jesus’ innocence.

Fifth, Evidence of God the Father’s approval of the Son and his cross work (Early preaching of the Apostles)

Sixth, The resurrection is the basis for future miracles

Acts 4:10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.

Romans 8:11 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.

Seventh, The resurrection of Jesus is the basis for his followers to walk with renewed life

Romans 6:4–5 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.

Eighth, The resurrection of Jesus shows us that the reigning power of death has been broken… the beginning of the end of death’s authoritative reign over humanity. (Romans 6:9) 1 Corinthians 6:14 says that he will raise us up Jesus like he raised up his son. (Also see 2 Corinthians 4:14, Colossians 2:12)

Ninth, Legal authority… A new Federal Head… Romans 7:1-4 tells us that the resurrection provides for us a new “spouse” to be bound to. We were married to the Law just like a woman is married to a husband. But through Jesus death that relationship died and its governing authority is removed. With the resurrection we are given a new spouse.

Luke 23:26-43

When we look at the cross we should not pity Jesus. Instead the cross should be symmetrical to our lives. (Made up of exactly similar parts facing each other or around an axis; showing symmetry.) The cross has direct implications upon us.

The Cross condemns our efforts to please God… our attempt to even the scales of justice by having more good in our life then bad. Jesus prayed “Father, if there be any way, let this cup pass from me.” The Cross was necessary for eradicating our sin.

The Cross reveals God’s motif of bringing life from death… joy out of suffering… healing through pain. God’s pattern is to place suffering on the path and bring us through.

Psalm 23:4 “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

The Cross reveals the Love of God for you.

John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

You and I should meditate on the cross and sense the unending waves of God’s love.

The Cross should be our defense from condemnation. Sin was dealt with at the Cross. Jesus said “It is finished”. When the devil attempts to condemn you by reminding you of your sin, you can point to the cross and say with confidence “It is finished.”

The Cross should be our confidence in prayer. The sin that stood in the way of our friendship with God has been taken away. Let the great conversation begin.

Hebrews 10:19–22 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.