Because of the Resurrection

“Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you.’ And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples.” Matthew 28:1-8

The self-substitution of Christ for man’s sin is the heart of the cross. Because of His death at Calvary, Christ allows believers to enjoy the eternal benefits of these central truths:

Propitiation. The wrath of God against sin was fully vented on His own Son at the cross. The Christian never need to fear angering God. Our sin is forgiven, and even God’s chastisement for sinful behavior is motivated by compassion.

Redemption. Christ’s death purchased us out of the slavery of sin. His shed blood paid the penalty of death and ransomed us from sin and evil. We have been delivered from the kingdom of Satan and placed into the kingdom of God’s Son.

Justification. By God’s grace we no longer are guilty before God. Christ’s death secured our verdict, releasing us from the sentence of death. He declares us righteous and credits His righteousness to our account.

Reconciliation. Once enemies, God and man are now friends. The cross made a permanent change possible between formerly alienated man and God. The right Man is now on our side, and we are on His.

“The cross is the sign of the Christian faith, of the Christian church, of the revelation of God in Jesus Christ.” -Emil Brunner