Session 31

Why does an empty tomb matter?

From 1 Corinthians: A 35-Day Devotional

Miracles can be one of the difficult parts of Scripture to believe. The supernatural is rare, at times confusing, and by our understanding…impossible. In Christianity, one miracle stands above the rest — Jesus’ resurrection.   

Religious leaders of the day threatened Jesus before His death. He answered by saying, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days” (John 2:19). Jesus predicted His death and resurrection, and everything went exactly as He said. Then, Jesus spent 40 days with the disciples, traveling and teaching (Acts 1:1-10). He died a public death, and celebrated a public resurrection.

The resurrection is the linchpin of Christianity, and sets it apart from every other religion in history. No other religion has an empty tomb, because no other religious leader came back from the dead.

Jesus'  resurrection made a way for us to overcome sin.

Through Jesus’ resurrection, we receive forgiveness from and power over sin we would not otherwise have (1 Corinthians 15:16-19). Jesus’ resurrection was more than a power play by the one, true God. It made a way for us to overcome sin. “For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man” (1 Corinthians 15:21-22).

When we believe that Jesus is Lord and was raised from the dead, we are saved (Romans 10:9). Sin and death are no longer our master. Rather, our lives are ruled by the grace demonstrated by Christ’s death, burial and resurrection.

When everything in life seems to be out of our control, we can rest in the fact that Jesus had the ultimate victory.  We take confidence in the fact that, through Him, we will have victory as well.

Reflect:

• Do you believe in miracles? Why or why not?
• What’s one way you’ve experienced freedom since you started following Jesus?
• Have you ever asked Jesus into your life? Learn more about salvation here.