He was born in an insignificant backwater of the Roman Empire. His parents were working-class poor, and his neighbors may have suspected he was an illegitimate son. He never travelled more than 200 miles from his home.
He never married, had no children, never had any possessions to speak of, he never commanded a military unit nor held political office. He lacked any of the resources of his time and culture to make an impact.
His adult ministry lasted only three years. Many of his followers rejected and left him. He was betrayed by one of his closest followers. He suffered injustice through an unfair trial by a judge who bent to public pressure. He was beaten mercilessly, mocked and humiliated, and executed in the most horrifying way. He was buried in a borrowed tomb.
And yet, this is the man who changed human history.
Jesus.
“Jesus doesn’t matter because he influenced the world, he influenced the world because he matters.”[1]
Jesus was buried in a borrowed tomb, but he didn’t stay there. Three days later he rose from the dead, victorious over sin and death. The risen Christ appeared to his disciples and over 500 others. He appeared to his skeptical brother James, who believed and followed him. He appeared to the persecutor Saul, the one who hunted Believers became a follower himself.
Why do Jesus and his resurrection matter?
We are all sinners and the consequence of our sin is death. We cannot stand before a holy and just God. But the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus. Jesus’ death and resurrection made this free gift possible and available to everyone who believes and everyone who calls on the name of Jesus will be saved.
In believing in Christ, we are justified through his sacrifice on our behalf and have peace with God. Paul says in Romans 8 that there is now “no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” and that nothing is “able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!”
Followers of Christ have a living hope. Peter, one of Jesus’ closest friends said it this way,
“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)
What are some of the hallmarks of this living hope?
- God loves you
- God has forgiven you
- You have an eternal inheritance that will never be taken from you
- You will spend eternity with Jesus and other believers
- You have the Holy Spirit living within you
- No matter what you’re going through, Jesus is with you
- God will equip you for every good work
- You will continue to become more like Jesus in your thoughts and actions
- Your life can have an eternal impact on others
- Peace in your mind and heart because you trust God
- Contentment and thankfulness knowing that every good and perfect gift is from God
- You will be able to forgive others
- You can have hope for today and the future
- Jesus is coming back
- Every broken and messed up part of life on earth will be made right in a New Heavens and Earth
- And so much more!
If you are a follower of Jesus, Happy Easter to you! Be encouraged friends: Jesus is risen, and our King is alive and seated on his throne! You have an outstanding strength for today and hope for tomorrow.
If you’re not a follower of Christ yet, what’s holding you back? The best day to give your life to Jesus was yesterday, the second-best day is today. Seek the forgiveness of God through Jesus and begin a new life today! If you have questions about following Jesus, ask any of us at Beacon Wealth, we will happily share why each of us has put our hope in Christ and why we hope you will as well.
Happy Easter!
Reference
[1] Wallace, J. Warner. Person of Interest. Zondervan, 2021. Pg. 255.