IMPORTANCE OF THE CRUCIFIXION
1) THE CRUCIFIXION SHOWS THE SEVERITY OF SIN AND THE NEED FOR REPENTANCE
Anyone who believes that God does not take sin seriously has not examined what Scripture teaches about the cross. Isaiah affirms, “(Jesus) was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). Christ endured physical death and the wrath of God in our place. F.F Bruce affirms, “God’s only son experienced wrath on our behalf” (1322).
Many, when reading or hearing about the crucifixion, often become overwhelmed with sadness. Other emotions that should be felt, however, are anger toward and remorse for the sin in our lives and in our world. According to Bruce, “The people of God are to hate what God Himself hates with an absolute hatred—sin(Deut. 12:31; Is. 61:8; Heb. 1:9)” (544). He also asserts, “True repentance is a ‘godly sorrow’ for sin (and) is God’s will and pleasure (Luke 15:7-10; 2 Pet. 3:9), as well as His command (Mark 6:12; Acts 17:30)” (1078).
2) THE CRUCIFIXION DEMONSTRATES THE GREAT LOVE OF GOD
Paul makes this point by affirming, “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). The Scriptures clearly teach that in spite of our rebellion, God sent Christ to die for us. Isaiah 53:6 says, "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all."
3) THE CRUCIFIXION BRINGS HOPE TO A SEEMINGLY TRAGIC STORY
Because all have sinned against God, the only way to settle matters with him is by spending eternity in Hell. Paul, however, shows that it is God who can settle matters between himself and mankind in a way that prevents condemnation. Paul affirms, “God put forward (Christ) as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith” (Romans 3:25). The key word in this verse is “propitiation,” which simply means Jesus’ death satisfied God’s wrath enabling everyone who trusts in him to be saved.
IMPORTANCE OF THE RESURRECTION
Many have said that even if Jesus did not rise from the dead, it would not make a difference. The Apostle Paul, however, says otherwise in 1 Corinthians 15:12-20.
He says,
12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.
Notice what the implications would be if there was no resurrection.
If Christ is not raised from the dead…
1) THE GOSPEL MESSAGE IS USELESS
The Corinthians may not have realized what they were denying when they denied the resurrection. Paul helps to remind them that denying Christ’s resurrection meant denying the Gospel. The Gospel means good news, but without the resurrection the opposite is true.
2) THE BELIEVERS FAITH IS USELESS (14)
What brings us hope as believers is the fact that Jesus has been raised. Because He has been raised, we too can have eternal life. According to R.C. Sproul, “Paul…show(ed) them that the resurrection of Jesus cannot be separated from the resurrection of those who are His (vv. 20-23).”
3) THOSE WHO PREACH THE GOSPEL ARE DECEIVERS(15)
Paul has already said that if there is no Resurrection than the Gospel message is useless. Now he takes it one step further and says without the Resurrection, the Gospel message is deceptive. When Christ called his disciples to be witnesses, he wanted them to testify of truth. If Christ has not been raised, then our testimony is untruthful.
4) THE BELIEVER IS STILL DEAD IN SIN (17)
Once again Paul indicates that if the resurrection had not occurred, then our faith is useless and we are still separated from God and dead in sin.
5) THOSE WHO HAVE DIED BELIEVING IN CHRIST HAVE PERISHED (18)
This is a continuation of point number 4.
6) THE CHRISTIAN IS TO BE PITIED(19)
When explaining this verse, Sproul says, “Our hope of salvation is so glorious that if we were still in our sins and lost (vv. 17, 18), we would have experienced the greatest and cruelest of all deceptions (vv. 31, 32).”
Bruce, F.F. New Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers. 1995.
Sproul, R.C. 1 Corinthians. The Reformation Study Bible. Orlando: Ligonier Ministries. 2005.
