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Christians around the world celebrate Jesus of Nazareth\u2019s resurrection on Easter Sunday, almost 2,000 years after he died and was raised from the dead just three days later.<\/p>\n
The exclamation \u201cHe is risen\u201d is thrown around so much during the Easter holiday.\u00a0But what does it mean? Why is the grisly image of the cross of Calvary so revered by Christians?<\/p>\n Most are aware of the story of Jesus being crucified on Good Friday and emerging from his tomb after three days. But Christians believe the meaning of his resurrection is much more significant than merely showcasing divine power over death.<\/p>\n The Gospels tell us two followers of Jesus went to his tomb early the morning of the Sabbath. As Luke 24:2-8 reads:<\/p>\n They found the stone rolled away from the tomb,<\/span>\u00a0but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.<\/span>\u00a0While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning\u00a0stood beside them.<\/span>\u00a0In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, \u201cWhy do you look for the living among the dead?<\/span>\u00a0He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee:<\/span>\u00a0\u2018The Son of Man\u00a0must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.\u2019<\/span>\u00a0\u201d<\/span>\u00a0Then they remembered his words.<\/span><\/p>\n Jesus had in fact predicted his death and resurrection. He hinted at first \u2013 as John documents, Jesus said he would\u00a0rebuild the temple in three days \u2013 and later outright foretold his death to his apostles.\u00a0Mark 8:31-33 reads:<\/p>\n He then began to teach them that the Son of Man\u00a0must suffer many things\u00a0and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law,\u00a0and that he must be killed\u00a0and after three days\u00a0rise again.<\/span>\u00a0He spoke plainly\u00a0about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.<\/span><\/p>\n But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter.\u00a0\u201cGet behind me, Satan!\u201d<\/span>\u00a0he said.\u00a0\u201cYou do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Jesus knew he had to die \u2013 and why. Like a dutiful son, he accepted his Father\u2019s wishes.<\/p>\n But being mortal, he knew the pain that awaited him.\u00a0Luke describes Jesus\u2019s \u201canguish\u201d about his instructions the night Jesus was apprehended by the Romans in Luke 22:39-44:<\/p>\n Jesus went out as usual\u00a0to the Mount of Olives,\u00a0and his disciples followed him.<\/span>\u00a0On reaching the place, he said to them,\u00a0\u201cPray that you will not fall into temptation.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0He withdrew about a stone\u2019s throw beyond them, knelt down\u00a0and prayed,<\/span>\u00a0\u201cFather, if you are willing, take this cup\u00a0from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.<\/span>\u00a0And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.<\/span><\/p>\n But the Father did not take the cup from the Son, and Jesus submitted willingly to his humiliating, excruciating death by crucifixion.<\/p>\n Just three days later, an angel rolled the stone away, and Jesus emerged \u2013 still with the scars from the wounds inflicted upon him.<\/p>\n Death was conquered! It all makes for a great story. But why is it so significant?<\/p>\n It isn\u2019t merely that Jesus arose from death that gives Christians cause to rejoice. We rejoice in his death as well.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2018He himself bore our sins\u2019 in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; \u2018by his wounds you have been healed,\u2019\u201d 1 Peter 2:24 reads, referencing the Old Testament prophecy from Isaiah which foretold Jesus\u2019s coming and mission.<\/p>\n Through his crucifixion, Jesus paid our sin debt. And like Christ, we too can conquer the death that awaits us to be \u201cborn again\u201d in Him \u2013 if we willingly accept his sacrifice on our account and repent of our rebellion against God.<\/p>\n As the Apostle Paul writes in Romans 6:8-9, \u201cNow if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.\u201d<\/p>\n Nor must death have dominion over us. That\u2019s why the death and resurrection are so meaningful to those who believe. Not only has Jesus risen from the clutches of the grave, but he offers to deliver us from its grip as well, to worship Him eternally in paradise.<\/p>\n So when hearing \u201cHe is risen\u201d during Easter, remember it\u2019s more than just a simple catchphrase. It\u2019s an encapsulation of all that Christians believe God offers us \u2013 all of us \u2013 through his Son.<\/p>\n And that\u2019s a cause for celebration.<\/p>\n Bradley Jaye is Deputy Political Editor for Breitbart News. Follow him on\u00a0X\/Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>\u00a0@BradleyAJaye<\/em><\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n