The Significance of the Resurrection

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the most significant event in the history of all mankind. The significance of the resurrection can be determined through the uniqueness, the necessity, and the urgency of the resurrection.

The Significance of the Resurrection from Daniel Vandenburg on Vimeo.

Tragedy to Triumph

During the war of 1812, one of the essential points of interest for the British army was the port of Baltimore. If the British can control the port, they could seriously hamper the trade routes of the United States. In September of 1814, the British began a bombardment of the fort in Baltimore.
Francis was a lawyer from Washington, who was sent to negotiate the release of a civilian prisoner. He was on a truce ship when the attack began. Though Francis was not a prisoner, he was not allowed to leave the ship due to the bombardment.
All through the day, canon shots rang out. Bombs were bursting in the air. As night fell, he could see the red glare from the rockets. Francis just knew the fort was not going to be able to withstand the attack. If the fort fell, Baltimore would be crippled. The war would sway heavily in the British favor. Tragedy was coming.
In the early light of dawn, the British called off the attack. Through the smoke, Francis caught a glimpse of something that gave him hope. He was able to see the one thing that made him realize that this was not a tragedy but a triumph for the United States. There, waving high above the wall, the American flag was still there. The lawyer, Francis Scott Key, feeling so much relief and emotion, penned the “Star Spangled Banner.” What was going to be a tragedy, turned into one of the greatest triumphs for the United States?
There was another time when tragedy seemed imminent.
Jesus entered into Jerusalem in triumph. Within a week, he was put to death. All that his followers sought after, all that they believed in, all that they knew was for naught. Their king was dead. There was no hope. There would be no future kingdom. Jesus’ triumph had turned to tragedy, for he was dead.
A few days later, some women went to the tomb where he was buried. They were going to prepare the body with spices. When they arrived, they were shocked to find that the stone guarding the entrance was rolled away. When they entered the tomb, the body of Jesus was gone. Confused and perplexed as to what was happening, two men in robes like lightning, appeared to them. “In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!’” (Luke 24:5,6a NIV). Hope had returned.
All that Jesus spoke about and promised came true. He established an eternal kingdom for all those that believe in him. He destroyed the power of sin and death. It is through the resurrection of Jesus that we all have hope. It is through his death and resurrection that we have been freed from the bondage of death and sin, “For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 6:9-11)
What started out as a tragedy ended with the ultimate triumph.