Easter – Events that Changed the World
We can all think of events and inventions that have had a world-changing impact. Medical breakthroughs like the development of vaccines, antibiotics, and imaging technology. The internet, smartphones, and AI have revolutionised information and communication pathways.
As we approach Easter, Christians reflect on and celebrate Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. For believers, this shapes our worldview. Of course, these events are not only for the private benefit of believers. The Bible makes it clear that what Jesus came into our world to accomplish is of central importance to every person in our world.
In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul the Apostle says:
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4
Paul supports his claim by citing all the people who witnessed Jesus’ death and resurrection – and there were hundreds of them. But his main point is not to prove the events took place. His main concern is to show why these events are significant and life-changing.
Christ Died for Our Sins
Since I became a Christian many years ago, this statement has been one I have pondered and been deeply thankful for. Christ, the sinless one, came into our world to die for sinners, people like me. He took the punishment I deserved. Sobering and liberating. It’s how my broken relationship with God has been restored.
He Was Raised on the Third Day
I think I have been slower to appreciate the importance of Jesus’ resurrection. I knew the resurrection was impressive – beating death, never to die again, is something no one else has ever been able to replicate. But I struggled to understand how Jesus’ resurrection intersected with and affected my life today.
1 Corinthians 15 highlights why Jesus’ resurrection makes a huge difference to our lives now. Jesus’ resurrection means:
1. We Will be Raised
1 Corinthians 15:20 says:
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
1 Corinthians 15:20
Jesus was raised as the first of the crop. When a farmer picks the first fruit from his orchard, he is expecting more to follow. Jesus is the first of the crop, guaranteeing that the rest will follow in due course. Jesus was raised, and that means we will be too (check out verses 23-24 for the timetable).
You can see why this marks a defining point in history. Australians generally avoid the topic of death because we don’t know what to do with it. Is there more to life than this life? Or is this life all there is? If this life is it, then we must squeeze the most out of our limited life span.
The Bible makes it clear that Jesus’ real-time and space resurrection guarantees our own resurrection. We are the ‘crop’ to come. For believers, our ‘world view’ includes being raised from the dead to spend eternity with God. Not only that, but when Jesus returns, everyone who has ever lived will be raised to stand before his judgment seat and give an account.
2. Believers Do Not Fear Death
The resurrected Jesus now rules the universe at the right hand of the Father. And he is exercising that rule until all his enemies have been put under his feet. In 1 Corinthians 15:25, we are told ‘The last enemy to be destroyed is death’. Later in the same chapter, Paul says ‘…the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory”’ (1 Corinthians 15:54). When Jesus rose from the dead, he demonstrated authority over death. We know death is still a reality in our world. But when Jesus returns, he will finally pronounce the defeat of death, a victory that has already been assured when he himself rose.
It means that believers do not fear death. We still grieve it. We still experience the decline and decay of our bodies. But we know with certainty that death does not ultimately win. Jesus won over death when he was raised.
3. Our Priorities Now are Profoundly Changed
Knowing we will be raised from the dead is not a life insurance policy. It is not a belief we file away for a time when death is imminent. The main point in 1 Corinthians 15 is to help believers see how Jesus’ resurrection impacts life choices now. The end of 1 Corinthians 15 finishes with this statement:
Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:58
The ‘work of the Lord’ is specifically the work that promotes Jesus and the gospel. It includes activities like bearing witness about Jesus to neighbours, relatives, colleagues and family. It involves faithfully teaching your children the Bible and encouraging them to trust in Jesus. Giving time, energy and money for the promotion of the gospel is working for the Lord. Serving in a variety of ways to build up God’s people is doing this work.
It’s this work of the Lord that isn’t in vain. It’s not vain, or a waste of time, to promote Jesus because this is labour that will echo into eternity.
Easter – the Pivot Point in History
At Easter, we celebrate the history-defining events that are of central importance for every person who has ever lived. When we take these on board, they transform our perspective on the future. Death does not win. Jesus’ death and resurrection completely alter the purpose for our existence. We have a rich relationship with our Lord that will never end, and meaning and purpose in our lives now.
He is risen indeed!