What is the connection between Good Friday and Easter Sunday? Good Friday marks the crucifixion of Jesus, where he willingly gave his life as a sinless sacrifice to bear the penalty for our sins. The resurrection we celebrate on Easter Sunday is a miracle that validates the truth of Christianity. How does the resurrection not only confirm that Jesus is God, but how does it contribute to our salvation? Jesus’ resurrection is the foundation of the believer’s standing before God and the key to a transformed life. It can always fill you with hope and joy, especially when the joy in life wears thin.
First, our justification flows from Christ’s resurrection in distinction from his sacrificial death. Romans 4:25: Jesus, “was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.” It is not our effort to become righteous. It is our relationship (union) with him that we share his righteousness. John Calvin said, “We do not contemplate him outside ourselves from afar in order that his righteousness may be imputed to us but because we put on Christ and are engrafted into his body-in short, because he deigns to make us one with him. For this reason, we glory that we have fellowship of righteousness with him.” This grace is good news if you are not feeling good about yourself for deeds left undone or things you have done. He is merciful. Jesus forgives us and gives us his righteousness.
Second, our hope in eternal life is in Christ’s resurrection. Christ is described as “the firstfruits” of the resurrection. Paul states that Christ’s resurrection and ours are the beginning and the end of one harvest. “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:22-23). Christ as the firstfruit is the promise of resurrection for all believers and the assurance of possessing a new, perfect body, restored to glory—Jesus’ resurrection sets the precedent for this reality. It is living the quality of life that Christ lives. As C.S. Lewis has said, if someone from Earth saw our resurrected body in heaven, they would be tempted to worship us. Are you discouraged in the direction of the world or your life? We have the hope and joyful anticipation of eternal life, to be in the Lord’s presence.
Finally, we are united with Jesus in his death and resurrection so that, “we might walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). Because of Christ’s resurrection, the same Spirit that raised him from the dead dwells in you. “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you” (Romans 8:11). Feeling powerless to see change in your life? The resurrecting power of God’s Spirit can bring the change you need. As we behold the glory of the Lord and look to him, we, “are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 5:18).
Let’s celebrate all these realities and more this Sunday!
