Key verse Romans 1:4 - '...And (Jesus was)  declared to be the Son of GOD with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.'

The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is just as crucial to our salvation as His death on the cross for our sins. For if Jesus didn't rise from the dead it means His sacrifice was not sufficient payment for the sins of the human race. 

It means there would be no atonement for our sin.

But rest assured... Jesus did rise from the dead on the 3rd day after He died. This fact was witnessed by many people who saw Him afterward, and numerous peole with whom Jesus interacted.

But how do we know for sure? Let me ask you - what changed the disciples from cowards to lions?

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net

Jesus was only taken down off the cross after a Roman soldier ensured Jesus was dead by thrusting a spear into His heart.

It is crucial that Jesus was dead because without Him dead there could be no resurrection from death.

Without a ressurection the Christian system of belief is empty, as in fake. The Apostle Paul said that those of us who believe Jesus was raised from the dead if in fact He did not rise, we are the most pitiful of all people.

Why would he say that? Because our hope for eternal life would be in vain.

But take heart - the dicisples, the very ones who abandoned Jesus, were changed by something to the point they turned the world upsidedown with a message coming out of an event they witnessed. And most of them died telling what they saw.

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net

When Pilate, the Roman governor, asked the religious leaders clamoring to have Jesus put to to death  , he asked them, "Why, what evil has He done?" But the mob didn't answer him except to cry out all the more, "Let Him be crucified!"

John 19:7 gives more information as to the reason the leaders in Jerusalem wanted Jesus dead. They said because Jesus "made himself the Son of GOD."

This was an excuse they used because the real reason was Jesus told them earlier in His ministry their religion would not gain them favor with GOD, and that they were the "children of the devil."

Yes, that will get religious people riled up. Now, on the cross Jesus had something to say to those witnessing His death. He asked GOD His Father to forgive those men standing there as they mocked Him. And then, just before He died He declared, "It is finished!"

This meant HIs death completely atoned, or paid the penalty, for the sins of the human race. All sin, for all time.

Why would He do this? Because of His love for us and His desire to see the human race survive. At least for those who chose to believe in Him and show it by taking Him as their Savior. You know, like what it takes to become married.

It takes more than intellectual  assent. It takes an action on our part to become married.

Now transfer that to salvation and you will have eternal life according to John 3:16 - "For GOD so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not preish but have everlasting life."

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net