Jesus' resurrection provides what I desperately need

Last week Christians focused on the central reality on which we base our whole lives -- the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. This event is the cornerstone of our faith. As the Apostle Paul accurately declares, if Jesus did not physically die and physically rise from the dead, our faith is futile and we are "of all people most to be pitied." (1 Corinthians 15:17-18).

There is solid historical evidence for Christ's resurrection which has been carefully cited and defended by many. (For one example, check out this video by Sean McDowell https://youtu.be/c42t0OvNDSc?si=6rYF3xClmed-vd--).

The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus is the sole reason that I have forgiveness of sins and the guarantee of eternal life with God. But Jesus' resurrection also gives me what I desperately need now. Jesus' first words to his followers when he appeared to them after his resurrection, promised what was essential for them and for us.

John, one of Jesus' closest disciples reported that Jesus first appeared to his disciples on the Sunday evening of the day that he was raised. What he said to them, as they hid in confusion and fear behind locked doors, was what they needed to hear then and what I need to hear now."Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit.'" (John 20:21-22 ESV).

Peace

The first thing Jesus said to his followers when he met them was "Peace be with you." In fact, he repeated it twice on this occasion and then again when he appeared to them eight days later. To these followers whose whole world was thrown into turmoil when Jesus was killed, who were themselves threatened by political and religious authorities because they were his associates, who were totally confused about how they should go forward after they had placed all their hopes on him before he was crucified, Jesus says before anything else, "Peace be with you."

This tells me that Jesus' resurrection is the sure foundation that can offer us peace. Though not specifically like Jesus' first followers, each of us has faced, are facing or will certainly face troubling and unsettling situations` and events in our lives. Pain, sorrow, loss and difficulties often leave us shaken and unsettled. We may not see a way out or through them. But because Jesus is alive he provides us his peace.

I would describe peace as a settled confidence that Jesus, the living Lord, is in control, and his good purposes will ultimately be accomplished in his world and in my life.

Even though what happens in our lives is often difficult and confusing, because Jesus is alive we can rest assured that he has everything under control and that he will ultimately work everything out for his designed good. So, I can take a deep breath and trust him.

Purpose

After bestowing on them his peace, Jesus then tells his followers that just as he was sent by his Father to accomplish his purposes, so were they also now sent to accomplish God's purposes in the world. This means, as a follower of Jesus, my life and yours has meaning. You and I are not some random accidents of a directionless universe, but someone designed and loved by God, chosen to fulfill Jesus' purpose in his world.

We live in a time that some describe as a "meaning crisis." Many people are adrift trying to answer the big questions, "Why am I here? Does my life have any significance or really make any difference?" Jesus' resurrection provides a resounding affirmation that those who are related to him by faith have a high calling and purpose: to carry out God's plans that he has designed for them. Because Jesus is alive, you can be sure that you are irreplaceably significant.

Partner

Jesus didn't send his original disciples then or us now to accomplish his purposes on our own. Because he is alive, he gives us his Holy Spirit to be with us to enable us to be and do all he wants. As he promised his followers right before he was arrested, "I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leve you as orphans; I will come to you." (John 14:16-18 ESV).

What an incredible gift he gives! Jesus sends his Spirit to those who believe in him to dwell in and be with us forever. You and I were never meant, nor are capable of, living this life and becoming the person God created us to be or to do what he wants us to do on our own. We are in partnership with him and can count on him to provide all the strength, wisdom and resources to carry out all he wants us to do in this life.

Without Jesus' resurrection, I have no assurance that this world or my own life will not spin out of control.

Without Jesus' resurrection, my life ultimately has no lasting and significant purpose.

Without Jesus' resurrection, I am left on my own to figure it all out and make the best of it on my own.

But, thank God, Jesus is alive. As a result we can have confident peace, a significant purpose and an empowering Partner to be with us. His resurrection provides what we so desperately need to live a confident, satisfying and purposeful life now.