Easter Is No Mere Sunday

Christians place much emphasis on the cross. Nearly everything we do, believe, proclaim, and depict revolves around the crucifixion. From our artwork to our evangelism, the cross is the focal point. Enter a church building or cathedral, you see the cross everywhere. Catholics use not only the cross, but depict Jesus still hanging on it. Why? Is Jesus’ crucifixion the prominent aspect of Christian faith? Is our relationship with God based on the cross? Is the cross the evidence of God’s mercy? Or is there something else?

Paul writes in his first letter to the Corinthian church a summary of the Gospel message (1 Cor 15:3-4):

  • Jesus died for our sins, according to the Scriptures
  • Jesus was buried
  • Jesus was raised on the third day, according to the Scriptures

He then spends the next twenty verses (vv. 5-24) discussing the fact of Jesus’ physical resurrection and its importance. Following this, he spends the rest of the chapter (vv. 25-58) outlining the implications of Jesus’ resurrection. But for now, I want to focus on the importance of that blessed, miraculous, prophecy-fulfilling event.

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