Growing up, my most vivid memory of Easter Sunday involved feelings of excitement for the annual bonfire at dawn and of relief that I’ll finally get to eat meat and sweets again after an entire month of fasting from them.

If only for those two things, as a kid, I appreciated the fact that Jesus Christ resurrected from the dead.

But then, as I grew older, I began to ask if there is a better reason Jesus Christ needed to rise from the dead, aside from the fact that in any story, it would be tragic for the main hero to die and stay dead.

Here are two of the most important reasons the resurrection is necessary.

There is victory here and now.

Imagine with me that a brilliant scientist discovered the perfect cure for cancer. There is no need to reformulate it nor is there any doubt on its effectiveness.

In this scenario, all the doctors have to do is to inject the cure to all cancer patients who have faith that the cure works.

Jesus Christ won for us a better cure with His death and His resurrection—it is the victory over sin and death, which are problems a lot bigger than cancer because everyone of us is infected by them.

But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians‬ 15:57‬ (NLT‬)

That does not just mean we have life after death.

That also means we can invoke His authority when we face fears and temptations.

God’s marvelous grace has manifested in person, bringing salvation for everyone. This same grace teaches us how to live each day as we turn our backs on ungodliness and indulgent lifestyles, and it equips us to live self-controlled, upright, godly lives in this present age.

Titus‬ 2:11,12‬ (TPT‬‬)

Through His resurrection, Jesus Christ gives full assurance that we are not left helpless or weak in this broken world. We can approach every battle with confidence knowing that the war has been won.

That also means we can fight against injustice and apathy by sharing His love and peace to a troubled world.

Jesus repeated his greeting, “Peace to you!” And he told them, “Just as the Father has sent me, I’m now sending you.”

John‬ 20:21‬ (TPT‬‬)

Through His resurrection, Jesus Christ gives us the authority to share the good news to others that there is an ultimate cure to sin and death—His sacrifice!

There is future hope and glory.

Listen to what Jesus Christ promises to do when He comes again:

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Revelation 21:4

Those who follow Him should be the most hopeful people in the world, because we know that what we have now is not all there is. Regardless of the pain, the challenges, and the trials, we know that these things will end and that they cannot triumph over us.

As you reflect on the resurrection of Jesus Christ, how has your perspective changed?

Are you all the more motivated to spread the good news that there is victory over sin and death?

Are you all the more encouraged to look beyond your circumstance and fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of your faith?