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Why did Jesus need to be raised? I mean, if our sins need to be paid for on the cross, He did that. What is so significant about coming back to life?

Look at Romans 4, verse 25. I'll give you a little simple formula that will help you keep the two separate. When it comes to sins, you've got to have the cross. When it comes to being declared righteous, you've got to have the empty tomb.

Referring to Jesus “… who was delivered up for our transgressions,” there's the sins, the delivering up is the cross. He who went to the cross, died, “was delivered up for our transgressions.”

Let me explain that. God demands death as the penalty for sin. “The soul that sins will surely die.” And if the penalty is to be paid for, it's going to only be paid for in blood. That's the requirement. That's why all the sacrifices in the Old Testament, if someone was to find forgiveness. So the cross took care of our transgressions. Jesus paid the price in full for our sins.

But He was raised for our justification. When God raised Him from the dead, He at that moment said in effect, “I approve, I accept Your sacrificial death.” Accepted, completed as done. Transaction completed and whoever comes to Christ is declared righteous in Christ from that point on.

Now isn't that a great thought? Died for our sins and was buried in proof of His death, raised for our being declared righteous proving the acceptance of the Father.
 

Charles R. Swindoll, adapted from, “A Celebration of Light and Life” copyright, 2003

About this author:  Chuck Swindoll


 
 
By Chuck Swindoll