We are in the Easter weekend, Good Friday has passed, Resurrection Sunday is pending. The significance of this weekend is that we have a Saviour who was born to die, yet not just to die, but to also be raised. After all, Paul was clear about the prime significance of the resurrection.
13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. 14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. 15 Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up – if in fact the dead do not rise. 16 For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. 17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! 1 Corinthians 15:13–17 (NKJV)
In Romans Paul is more succinct. Speaking of Jesus sacrifice he states it in simple terms.
25 who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification. Romans 4:25 (NKJV)
The word ‘offenses’ refers to our transgressions or trespasses, in a word, Jesus was delivered up to crucifixion because of our sins. The other side of this is that Paul says Jesus’ resurrection was for our justification. Which means that we were pronounced righteous or acquitted of our sins through Jesus’ resurrection. Thus, Jesus’ death paid the penalty for our sins and His resurrection validated the efficacy of His sacrifice on our behalf.
We now move to Colossians for Paul’s further explanation of what transpired.
13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. Colossians 2:13–15 (NKJV)
Paul informs us that though we were dead, we were resurrected with Christ (made alive together with Him) and the charges against us (handwriting of requirements) were dismissed. The additional piece he adds is that Jesus’ sacrifice disarmed the spiritual powers arrayed against us. Thus, as we celebrate Easter let us give thanks for Jesus’ death and resurrection and by faith avail ourselves of the reality that our victory is not in our abilities. Our victory lies in embracing the fact of Jesus’ death and resurrection on our behalf and the truth that He is transforming us and bringing us to glory (Romans 8:28-30)!
