Why is Jesus’ resurrection so important?  It is a major foundation of the Christian Faith.  Early Christians believed in the resurrection, and a large number of them saw Jesus alive after the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3-8).  It is a critical piece of the story of God’s redemption of the world through the work of Jesus. It gives us hope, an expectation of an assured future (Romans 15:13).

We are connected to Jesus’ resurrection through our baptism.  In our baptism we were united to Jesus’ death and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4).  If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then we are still in our sins and our faith is worthless  (1 Corinthians 15:17). If Jesus did not rise, then we have nothing to hope for.  If there is no eternal life then we just live a meaningless life, recognizing that our brokenness and evil will always be around until we destroy ourselves.  With no resurrection, any hope we have then is a false hope.  The reality would be then our death would send us into nihilistic oblivion.  Fortunately, Jesus did rise from the dead (Matthew 28:1-10).  The resurrection validated who Jesus was and what he is able to do.  It gives us the assurance that he was victorious over sin, death, and the Devil (Hebrews 2:14; Romans 6:23).

Because of Jesus’ resurrection, we have a new life (2 Corinthians 5:17-18; Romans 6:4).  We have been reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:18-19).  Because Jesus rose, we too will rise to eternal life (Romans 6:23).  We will have new immortal bodies (1 Corinthians 15:42-54).  Everything will be made right and we will live forever in the presence of our loving God (Revelation 21:1-4).  

Therefore, because of Jesus’ resurrection, we have the hope that everything now that is broken will be made new (Revelation 21:5).  There will be a perfect life for us with a new Earth and Heaven.

PS For more on Jesus’ resurrection check out “Praise God for Jesus’ Resurrection”.