Resurrection's significance grows in framework of Jesus' story

What is the significance of a moment? Not much we may think, but what about that moment when Jesus rose from the grave?

This moment is more significant than we can imagine when we put the resurrection moment in the framework of his life story.

We have a window on the moments and days of Jesus’ life. We read about moments such as these: the glorious moment Jesus was born; his time with family and the home; the moment he was baptized; the moments when he was led into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil and he came forth victorious; the moments of calling his disciples; the preaching moments of his ministry and the moments of the many miracles he performed.

So how are the moments of his crucifixion significant?

• First, the events of the crucifixion of Jesus were moments of brutal treatment. The crucifixion of Christ was a gruesome and horrendous event that literally killed Jesus. So profound was the physical torture and death of Jesus, that the ordeal was analyzed by a doctor in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Dr. William D. Edwards of the Mayo Clinic described in medical terms what led up to the death of Jesus on the cross. Edwards took each phase of the crucifixion — the flogging, the nails, the lack of water — and interpreted those events in the light of what medically happened to Jesus’ body during the terrible suffering.

He concluded: “Accordingly, interpretations based on the assumption that Jesus did not die on the cross appear to be at odds with modern medical knowledge.” The torment was so bad that Jesus did die.

• Second, the suffering moments that Jesus experienced were foretold in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New Testament. Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, Isaiah 53:3 foretold: “He was despised … we did not esteem him.”

The prophecy was fulfilled in John 19:14-15: “And Pilate said to the Jews, “Behold, your King!” So they cried out, “Away with him, away with him, crucify him!”

The Old Testament foretold the moments of his torture on the cross. Isaiah 53:5 reads: “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”

What Isaiah wrote was fulfilled in the New Testament in John 1:29: “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”

• Third, the moment of Jesus’ resurrection of Christ was a timely and timeless event that took place in the time that God determined, God’s own time.

The Bible says that when the time was fulfilled, Mary gave birth to Jesus. Just as he walked among men, the crucifixion and resurrection came about in God’s own timing.

I am sure that those bystanders, disciples and friends of Jesus thought that the death of Jesus was the end.

But the good news is that we can surely tell the difference in our lives because of the moment of the resurrection. That in itself is proof that Jesus is different from any other revered god or figure in history. Where are those people now? They are in the grave.

The resurrection moment is the standard for all those who die in Christ Jesus. The resurrection moment tells us that death is not the end for those who have trusted him. Jesus himself said: “I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14: 3)

The resurrection moment tells us that God’s grace is sufficient, is revealed through Jesus Christ and because of that, we can have eternal life: “So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord ... This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Saviour, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel.” (2 Timothy 1: 8-10).

What is the significance of the resurrection moment? For the Christian, it is assurance of a home in heaven for all time and eternity.

Judy Brandon writes about faith for The Eastern New Mexico News. Contact her at: [email protected]