How The dynamic, historical fact of Jesus’ Resurrection changes everything
Tertia die resurrexit a mortuis or “On the third day, he rose again from the dead” is from a line in one of the earliest creeds—the Apostles’ Creed, developed from the even earlier Roman Creed, written in the second century AD. This short phrase is at the very heart of Easter.
On the Thursday before Easter, “Maundy Thursday,” Christians reenact the Passover dinner of Jesus and His disciples. On “Good Friday,” Christians mourn the crucifixion of Jesus on the cross. It is precisely at the cross, where Jesus suffers and eventually expires, that “atonement” is made for the sin of all humanity. Indeed, in John 9:30, the apostle tells us that Jesus “παρέδωκεν τὸ πνεῦμα”—literally translated, “gave the Spirit.” In this final act, Jesus releases the Holy Spirit into the world for the benefit of all those who believe, and are yet to believe. As monumental as this act on the hill of Golgotha is, it remains a death on a cross, where a man breathes his last…
Until … tertia die resurrexit a mortuis… “on the third day he rose from the dead.” The resurrection of Jesus by the Father is the other side of the Good Friday coin. Although modern science and medicine struggle with the veracity of the resurrection, it is, nevertheless, a historical given—a dynamic fact.
Because the resurrection occurred, humans who believe have had their sins forgiven. Because the resurrection occurred, the Holy Spirit will indwell us, as He indwelt Jesus. Because of the resurrection, we can hope that our lives do not end at death, but rather travel through it into eternity. Because of the resurrection, our lives today are marked by the eternity of God. We can live the Jesus life—overcoming, overpowering, fearless, full of love, and full of mercy.
If Jesus wasn’t resurrected—did not rise again—then Jesus would have just been one of many Jewish people who was crucified by Roman soldiers. If Jesus wasn’t resurrected, then you and I would still be drowning in guilt and pain. If Jesus wasn’t resurrected from the dead, I would not be writing this to you.
The resurrection occurred; our sin is atoned for; our life is dynamic, filled with love and joy; we have been redeemed by “the blood of the lamb.”
Rejoice, O Christian, rejoice. God resurrected Jesus for our sake.