The Resurrection Matters, Part 3

Grace to you! The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the heart of Christianity. Without Jesus literally rising from the dead, there is no Christianity. So far we have seen how the resurrection impacts various aspects of our lives. Let’s look at another way the resurrection of Christ changes our lives to glorify God. (See 1 Corinthians 10:31)

The resurrection of Christ helps me to see my current circumstances, no matter what they may be, as an opportunity to make Christ known to others. Often we think if God would change our circumstances or those ‘certain people’ in our lives, then we could make Jesus known to others easier. Although we all want things changed at times, it’s not the case that we need things to change in order to speak to others about Jesus. The apostle Paul was in prison at the end of his life. He met a gruesome death from the Roman government for preaching the gospel. What was his mindset while in prison? How did the resurrection of Christ affect his outlook? “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound!” (2 Timothy 2:8-9)

What a perspective considering his current situation! Paul, bound in chains, under constant guard, and facing his execution mere days away expresses great confidence in making Christ known! They thought putting him in prison would stop him but he just started telling the Roman guards about Jesus. Now this is where God’s wisdom outdoes our wisdom! Roman soldiers were regularly moved around to various posts and missions. Sometimes they would watch prisoners. Sometimes they would sail across the waters to fight a battle. Sometimes they would escort important dignitaries. Think of all the people and places a Roman soldier who had committed his life to Christ would be able to reach with the good news of Jesus! Whereas Paul was one man traveling the world, but now in prison he can reach soldiers with the good news who would then take the message of Jesus into all the world! In short, we might think the work of God was hindered because Paul was in jail. But God used his very imprisonment to help spread the gospel over the whole world!

Look at again Paul had hope: “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead…” If God can take a dead body and give it life, He can do the same thing with my “dead situation and circumstances” to bring “life” to other people. So what “prison” are you facing? Do you know that God wants to use you right now to make Christ known to others? You may think the gospel is imprisoned, but a rock-walled, sealed tomb of Jesus could not keep life from going forth to change the world for God’s glory!