We rejoice in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ because it is a great victory over death. It is a restoration of the human nature of life, for God originally created man to live forever and not to die. Therefore, the resurrection of Christ is a deposit of our resurrection. That is why St. Paul called Christ’s resurrection. “The first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1Cor. 15:20).
He is the first fruit and we follow Him. Someone may ask, “How can Christ be the first fruit and many have been risen from the dead before Him? The son of the widow of Zarepath whom Elijah raised from the dead (1 Kings 17:22), the son of the Shunammite who Elisha raised after he had died
(2 Kings 4:32-36). Moreover, there are three persons who were risen from the dead by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself…the son of the widow of Nain, the daughter of Jairus and Lazarus. But all those people died again and they are still waiting for the general resurrection, while the resurrection of Christ is not followed by death.
The resurrection enhances the value of man and assures that his life does not end by his death. It confirms that there is another life after death, other than this earthly life. We conclude the creed saying, “We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.”
Thus, we can say that the most important thing in the resurrection is what is after the resurrection. The resurrection proves that the human life has an extension in the other world and that death is just a stage in the human life. Death became a golden bridge between two lives, one of them is earthly and the other is heavenly. There is no doubt that the eternal life is much better because it is in heaven without sin or curse in company with God and the angels and saints. It was described in the New Testament as, what an “Eye has not seen, nor an ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him”
(1 Cor. 2:9). For that, St. Isaac said, “The fear of death scares the foolish man, but the righteous desires death exactly as he desires life.”
That is also what St. Paul said, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain… For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better” (Phil. 1: 21-23). The resurrection changed the thought of people towards death, for it became a departure to a better life, it became a promotion and a desire for the righteous. After the resurrection of Christ, death lost its terror. The saints do not fear death or its causes like sicknesses of the conspiracies of wicked people. Only the ungodly are those who are always frightened of death the condemnation.
The resurrection is connected with faith. Atheists do not believe in it but believers trust that God is Almighty and can raise the dead as He created man, in the first place, from dust and created dust out of nothing. Believing in the resurrection leads to the life of righteousness and virtues. The believer knows that he, or she, will stand before the throne of God in the Day of Judgment to give account about his/her deeds.
The resurrection is compensation for all the injustices and sufferings of the earth. It gives real comfort to us that we will see again and live with all our beloved family members and friends who passed away.
One of the blessings of the resurrection is that nothing is impossible, not only with God, but also with the believers. Another blessing is the desire to eternal life. A third blessing is the transfiguration of the human nature, body and soul… “for our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body” (Phil. 3:20-21). St. Paul adds one more blessing saying that Jesus was risen from the dead because of our justification” (Rom. 4:25). His resurrection was the evidence of the acceptance of His redemption and salvation.
The Lord Jesus had to rise from the dead because He raised others. He proved His Divinity (Rom. 1:4). All the prophecies and types had to be fulfilled in his resurrection (See. Psa. 16:9, 10). The types Jonah and Isaac were fulfilled in His resurrection. Also, the resurrection of Christ was a necessity, because His Divinity parted not from His humanity for a moment nor a twinkle of an eye.