Have you ever wondered why the resurrection is important, or why it is connected to atonement, or what it exactly means in relation to our salvation?
The resurrection was God’s way of showing us His stamp of approval on, and symbol of victory for, what Jesus accomplished for us, and that it was, indeed, an accomplishment worthy enough for God to accept and glorify on our behalf. And we know that Jesus’ atoning work was sufficient over all sin because of the resurrection. If Jesus did not resurrect from the dead, then it indicates that his atoning work on our behalf was either incomplete or unacceptable, and thus, “we would still be in our sins” (1 Co. 15:17). Conversely, however, since we can know and can testify to the fact that Jesus did raise from the dead—based upon the accounts of over five hundred eye-witnesses (1 Co. 15:6)—we can rest assured that His work was enough. His work was enough to cover over any and every sin. Our sin was crucified with Jesus on the cross, so that we could live a new life in him, being both spiritually and physically resurrected with him (Gal. 2:20, Rom. 6:5, Col. 2:12).
Do not think that there is too great a sin that God cannot conquer or abolish. In fact, He already revealed that power by abolishing it through the sacrifice of His son, Jesus. Yes, sin is the most costly debt, and yes, it required the most costly sacrifice for it to be paid in full. But Jesus’ work is done, and he now offers you the most costly reward of his work and suffering—salvation, new life in Him, and a new eternity with God and the rest of the redeemed in a new heaven and new earth (Rev. 21:1).
The price for your sin was paid when Jesus cried, “It is finished”, dying the death we deserved under sin. Yet, by the power of God, he stands in victory over sin, and extends his hand to those who want him, to those who desire to overcome the world and sin with him (John 16:33, Rom. 8:17, Col. 2:12).
