4 Reasons the Resurrection Is Good News
Mark Vroegop
Guest Contributor
All over the world, Easter Sunday will be marked by unique celebrations. Christians will rejoice in the empty tomb. It’s more than a date on the church’s calendar. Resurrection Sunday defines Christianity.
Do you know why the resurrection of Jesus is so important?
Consider the following four reasons.
1. The resurrection showed that Jesus’s words are trustworthy.
Jesus said He would be lifted up so He could draw men to Himself (John 3:14). He said He would rise again after three days (Matthew 12:40). And He also said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). The empty tomb shows us that His words are worthy of our trust.
Jesus can be believed.
2. The resurrection proved that Jesus’s death had the approval of a holy God.
The underlying message of the Bible is that God is redeeming a world marred by sin. And the only way to atone for sin is death. Jesus’s death was unique in that He gave His life as payment for our sin. Since He was sinless and undeserving of death, His sacrifice can be applied to those who receive Him by faith. But this only works if God approves.
The resurrection shows that Jesus’s death was sufficient.
3. The resurrection demonstrates that Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross defeated sin.
Sin—the desire to be autonomous—is what is wrong with our world, and it is what causes death. The God-given consequence of sin is death—“the wages of sin” (Romans 6:23). The resurrection shows us that sin has lost its power and a way of forgiveness is now offered: “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved” (Romans 10:9-10).
When Jesus Christ conquers death, it is a clear sign that sin is defeated.
4. Since death was conquered, the resurrection promises eternal life for believers.
The empty tomb is a symbol of eternal hope for those who put their faith in Jesus. To put our faith in Jesus means that we come to an awareness of our sin, recognize we need forgiveness and that we cannot self-atone, and confess our sin, asking Christ to be our Lord and Savior. 1 John 5:11-13 says:
“And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”
We come to Him by faith, placing all our eternal hopes in Him.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ frees those who receive Him to be forgiven of their sin now and to know that nothing —not even death—can separate them from the love of God. The effect of this is life-changing.
Easter matters.
Resurrection Sunday offers believers an important reminder. An empty tomb means we have reason to hope.
Jesus is alive!
It’s central to Christianity.
This is incredibly good news.
About the Author
Mark Vroegop is the lead pastor of College Park Church in Indianapolis and the author of three books, including Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament. He’s married to Sarah, and they have three married sons and a daughter.
This article was adapted from a post originally published on markvroegop.com.
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Love your definition of Sin:
Sin is the desire to be Autonomous.
Blessings.
Pastor Mark. The Resurrection has continually given me hope to live for the One who conquered death. God bless you for this sharing.
Pastor has hit the nail on the head with simplistic words without a dissertation and easy to consume.
And…. Real TRUTH.
Thank you for sharing your heart on the resurrection. I agree with what you said. Praise God Jesus is Alive!!
I did not have the ability in me to meet the standards required by God to live a righteous life, but Christ the sinless Son of God, took my sin upon Himself and gave me His Righteousness.
And by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ, i have been saved..
Thank you Jesus🙏
Before Jesus’ resurrection there was no afterlife? I thought earlier religions believed in an after life.
Thanks Pastor for this better explanation of the resurrection doctrine.
Thank you Pastor Mark, for all of God’s Truth brought out by the principles mentioned on the Resurrection of my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Happy Resurrection Suday to you!
Thank you for reinforcing my faith that Jesus is my saviour
Thank you, Pastor Mark Vroegop!! These articles impacted me so much yesterday when I read them, as I was working on my lesson from John 19- on the crucifixion. They took me deeper, and pulled back
some “layers,” as I considered them. So rich… ❤️🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
Amen
I’m thankful Jesus died for me and had risen. His death and ressurection means he has taken our sins and buried it with him so that I can have a clean standing with God
Am alive in Christ, he who is in Christ has eternal life. Everything in me is alive, I have overcome the world in the name of Jesus
Thank You Lord Jesus for the price You paid to set us free.
Indeed, I am alive today because if the resurrection. I praise my Savior while I have breath. Glory to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Amen Amen The Resurrected Saviour is The reason for The season.
Jesus is the Lord and Savior of my life and I can’t wait to see him face to face !!!
I had never thought of sin as the desire to be autonomous, but of course it is! It goes along with being in a trusting relationship with God. I’m gleaning so much from these articles!
How precious is your sharing and the reminder of the truth and meaning of Easter : –
(a) Jesus’s words are trustworthy.
(b) Jesus’s death had the approval of a holy God.
(c) Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross defeated death.
(d) “Since death was conquered, the resurrection promises eternal life of believers.”
Praise the Lord, our Jesus Christ – the Savior
amen
It is no longer Happy Easter to family and friends; it is Happy Resurrection! Yes, I do get quizzical looks from family and store clerks etc. Thank you BSF for teaching me the difference between Resurrection and Easter! Yes, the Cross is the world’s greatest gift! Come soon Lord, come soon!!
How precious is the reminder of the truth and meaning of Easter – “Since death was conquered, the resurrection promises eternal life of believers.”
Praise the Lord, our Jesus Christ – the Savior
Thank you for sharing these four reasons why the resurrection is considered good news. As a Christian, the resurrection of Jesus holds immense significance for me personally.
Overall, the resurrection of Jesus carries profound meaning for believers like me, offering unwavering assurance, boundless hope, and a resounding confirmation of Jesus’s divinity and redemptive work.
The resurrection stands as a beacon of hope, reminding me of the eternal life that awaits us and the profound love and grace of our Savior.
Wonderful synopsis. Thank you very much.
The Goodness of Good Friday is reflected in Dr. Vroegop’s incisive reflections.