Three Benefits Of Jesus' Resurrection Series

This message was relayed all across England and the nation was gripped by discouragement and defeat.

Hours later, however, the fog lifted, and the entire message came through: “Wellington defeated the enemy!”

Discouragement was banished and the nation rejoiced in the good news.

This story perfectly illustrates the state of mind of the disciples when Jesus died. Jesus had made the claim that he was God.

He said that he had come to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10), and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45).

He said that he had come so that his people might have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10).

He said that whoever was thirsty—spiritually thirsty—could come to him and be refreshed (John 4:13-14; 6:35; 7:37).

He said that whoever would follow him would never walk in darkness, but would have the light of life (John 8:12).

He said that he had come to give eternal life to his people (John 10:28).

But then he was crucified.

It was a terrible day. At noon the sun suddenly disappeared and everything became frighteningly dark. There was an earthquake. Events took place that caused even the Roman centurion to exclaim, “Surely he was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:54).

Then Jesus died and his body was buried in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea (Matthew 27:57-60). The message that rang out to all the world was: “Jesus defeated! Jesus defeated!” And all the disciples were gripped by discouragement and defeat.

But then, three days later on Easter Sunday morning, came the resurrection! Three days after Jesus was buried, he rose physically and bodily from the grave. Then the entire message came through: “Jesus defeated the enemy!” The discouragement of the disciples was banished and they rejoiced at the good news.

Jesus had conquered death and hell. Jesus had conquered Satan and sin. And so we sing:

Rise, O Church, and lift your voices,

Christ has conquered death and hell.

Sing as all the earth rejoices;

Resurrection anthems swell.

Come and worship, come and worship,

Worship Christ, the risen King!

When Jesus died on the cross of Calvary, he paid the penalty for sin. When he died, he defeated Satan. On the cross he conquered our enemy.

The resurrection was God’s stamp of approval. The resurrection was God saying, “Jesus, I accept your death as a substitute for guilty sinners.”

The resurrection was God’s vindication of Jesus’ work.

And because of the resurrection of Jesus, we can be confident that Jesus paid the penalty for all the sin of his people. If there was one single sin not covered by the death of Jesus, if there was one single sin for which he did not die, then he would have never been raised from the dead; he would still be in tomb.

But his resurrection proves that his death covers every single sin.

And because of Jesus’ resurrection, we can be confident that God forgives us all our sin.

Speaking of Jesus, the Bible says, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

You know, there is no other way to heaven except through the risen Lord Jesus Christ. His death paid the penalty for sin. His resurrection proved that God accepted his death as a sufficient payment for sin. His resurrection guarantees that God will forgive us our sin when we sincerely and wholeheartedly cry out to him for forgiveness.