Why the resurrection matter.

 Why does the resurrection matter?. 

Recently a colleague spoke of the death of four brothers dying in motor vehicle related accidents with the last one being run over by a bus. The thought that all of them died in accidents probably experiencing very painful death is just unsettling and can lead us to think about why we sometimes experience these horrible events. God answers this question in the book of Job where he speaks the longest monologue to us and this is reiterated by our Lord Jesus Christ in his life, teachings and death. 

Job 38

{38:1} Then the Lord answered Job out of a whirlwind, and said:

{38:2} Who is this that wrappeth up sentences in unskilful words?

{38:3} Gird up thy loins like a man: I will ask thee, and answer thou me.

{38:4} Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? tell me if thou hast understanding.

{38:5} Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest or who hath stretched the line upon it?

Our fear of death and suffering can make us become slaves to evil, we turn to prophets of baal, to witchcraft, morden witchcraft and magic. Yet we will still die. Prolonging life through Morden witchcraft has also become a problem now as we see people living longer in distress. People live longer in sickness because Morden witchcraft try to defy natural death (this is discussion for another time). Through fear of death we have lost belief in God almighty even if they believed all their lives. Not that I relish in death or dying but the natural course of death should be allowed to take place. This is why the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ is a great promise to Christians and a game changer for believers. 

The book of Hebrews here explains why the resurrection of our lord is a game changer. 

Hebrews 2:14 Now since the children share in blood and flesh, he likewise shared in them, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil. 15 and free those who through fear of death had been subject to slavery all their life.16 Surely he did not help angels but rather the descendants of Abraham; 17 therefore, he had to become like his brothers in every way, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God to expiate the sins of the people.

This is very important because Christ suffered like us in all ways so that we can learn from his conduct and be reassured. St Peter clearly explains this below. 

1 Peter 3, 18-19 For Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous, that he might lead you to God. Put to death in the flesh, he was brought to life in the spirit. 19 In it he also went to preach to the spirits in prison. 

It is also important to note that his preaching was not in vain because Matthew clearly describes the happen gs at the time. 

Mt 27:52-53. 

Tombs were opened, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised. 53 And coming forth from their tombs after his resurrection, they entered the holy city and appeared to many. It is clear that every knee shall bow to Christ who was there from the beginning. Peter goes further to say in 1 Peter 4, 6 But they will give an account to him who stands ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is why the gospel was preached even to the dead that, though condemned in the flesh in human estimation, they might live in the spirit in the estimation of God. And in Jn 5:25; Amen, amen, I say to you, the hour is coming and is now here when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.

It is therefore clear that death is the beginning of new life in God for Christians. This is the meaning of the resurrection the basis of our belief as Christians.