A Bodily Resurrection

When Jesus died, He did what no one else could do. From the prophets of old to the priests in the temple, none of their deaths could have accomplished what Jesus’s death was able to. Although God worked mightily through many people throughout the generations, none of these people could do what was required for humanity to be saved.

All four Gospel accounts (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) describe how Jesus died on the cross and the humiliation He went through. His death and resurrection are the most significant thing that could ever happen to humanity because He brought us total victory from sin and its power. The Gospels of Matthew and Mark tell us that when Jesus breathed His last, the curtain (or veil) of the temple “was torn in two from top to bottom†(Matthew 27:51; Mark 15:37-38).

This curtain weighed hundreds of pounds and separated the Holy of Holies, where God’s presence dwelled, from the rest of the temple. From the days of old, only the High Priest could go into the Holy of Holies—and only once a year—to offer sacrifices to God to atone for the sins of the people. Yet even the priest had to atone for himself first before atoning for others. But now, through Jesus Christ’s perfect sacrifice, we can be forgiven and made right with God.

So now in Christ we have access to God. Our sins have been atoned for. The veil that separated us from having direct fellowship with God has been torn by God Himself. Now anyone who puts their trust in Jesus can have access to God on a daily basis and for unlimited time. This was God’s good plan. He created us to be in relationship with Him, and even though we broke that relationship through sin, He has restored us. Now we have been completely brought back to God. • Shadrach Goni

• Why was Jesus the only one who could save us? (See our “Know Jesus” page.)

• If you are struggling with any sin, remember that Jesus Christ has defeated Satan “long time” and “big time.” Jesus’s sacrifice was enough to forgive all your sins—past, present, and future! Furthermore, when we read from the writing of the apostle Paul in Romans 5 and 6, we find an emphatic explanation to the church in Rome about how the death and resurrection of Christ have given us victory over sin. Who is a trusted Christian in your life who could encourage you to say no to sin and remind you of God’s love even when you mess up?

For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Romans 5:10 (NIV)

Read Verses:

1Cor.15.12-1Cor.15.22