by: Rachel Neumeister

On Easter Sunday morning in our college and careers group, there was a student leader instead of the usual man who is a vessel of wisdom.  Because of the lack of knowledge, the discussion took a different turn.  The topic in question was that of Jesus’ need for resurrection.  “Wasn’t it enough that he just died on the cross?  We would still have our salvation and our sins would still be paid for.”  I don’t think any one of us actually believed this to be a valid belief system, but it was a question one of the individuals had come across (and admittedly, so have I).
The point was made that none of the animals in the Old Testament offered as sacrifices rose from the dead, so why did Jesus need to?  Wouldn’t the payment still be made in his death?
If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then the sins that he bore on the cross would have victory over him, and therefore, so would Satan.  What a terrifying thought to think of a world dominated by Satan, with no hope of a resurrected Saviour who has already conquered all the forces of evil.
What’s more, Paul speaks of the worthlessness of our faith if Christ did not rise from the dead in 1 Corinthians 15: 14, 18-19.  He says, “And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith…And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.”  I say, what have we got to lose?  If he did not rise from the dead, yes we ought to be pitied and our faith is worthless.  But if he did rise from the dead and we choose not to believe, the consequences are far more disastrous, as a Godless eternity of pain and torture awaits us.
My contribution to the said conversation was the explanation of how EBC has been a target for the forces of evil in years past because of the strong Christian community.  How reassuring it is to know that no force of evil can have any authority around us or over us, because the one who has already defeated Satan and all his army is dwelling within us.  This is the power of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 
“Death has been swallowed up in victory.  Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?  But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Corinthians 15:54-57).