The Significance of Christ’s resurrection -John 20

At the time Jesus rose from the dead most people were pagans and/or idolaters. They made idols for themselves or purchased them created out of wood or gold. They bowed down before those things which they knew were inanimate. This left the empty part of their spirit unfulfilled for lack of being able to truly contact God.

Then came along the followers of Jesus after the resurrection. These heretics and pagans were converted to Christ because they heard the good news of victory over death. That good news was liberating and motivating. It was so phenomenal that the news and its resulting conversions spread throughout the Roman Empire.

But …… What do we have today? Christ’s resurrection is observed on Easter Sunday but is shared with a fictitious rabbit. It is the day in which many people come wearing newly purchased clothing. There is no joy or excitement about the resurrection, even among most professing Christians. Think about it! The man we profess to be our Savior defeated death and rose to live again forever in a human body. He defeated death so that his victory can be ours. That one-word resurrection is what caused those pagans and heretics to turn the Christ. I ask you, how much of an impression on your life has the resurrection of Christ made?

Comparing what happened 2000 years ago to today, there is a drastic difference. Then the good news of victory over death brought people to salvation. It was such fantastic, good news that millions of people have come to know him as Savior. My concern in bringing up this topic is that the excitement is gone. The evangelistic motivation has evaporated. Victory over the issues of life is mundane. I wonder what would happen if for 365 days a year we allowed the good news of Christ’s resurrection to be forefront in our thinking. Is there some way what Christ did and the effect it had on his followers could be happening today? Can we repeat that thrill and excitement of yesteryear when we attend church? If not without joy, there is no power. Without power there is no victory. Without victory there is no hope!