What is the significance of Jesus' death and resurrection today?

Our culture has a mixed understanding of Easter.

On the one hand, there is a lot of chocolate and talk about a bunny hiding eggs – which is kind of strange when you think about it.

On the other hand, there is a lot of talk about Jesus’ resurrection from the dead – even stranger.

Strange though it might sound, there is good reason to believe Jesus’ resurrection is more than a myth. Many attempts have been made to explain away the resurrection – his followers lied about it,

Jesus wasn’t really dead, people were hallucinating etc - but each of these alternative explanations are problematic.

So to quote a line from Sherlock Holmes, ‘when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth’.

But what does the death and resurrection of Jesus 2,000 years ago have to do with us today? It’s a reminder of three things:

First, God is not unfamiliar with suffering.

Jesus became one of us and was killed in one of the most brutal forms of torture ever devised, which means we can be confident that God understands our pain.

Secondly, it’s the ultimate reminder that we are loved.

As St. John wrote: “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.”

Jesus’ death paid the penalty for our wrongs and made it possible for us to be forgiven and have an authentic relationship with God.

Finally, the resurrection reminds us of the astonishing reality that Jesus is alive.

While he never promised us this life would be easy, he promised us that he would be with us as our Good Shepherd. A simple prayer for you to use this Easter might be: “Jesus, show me how you’re with me today.”

Pastor Todd Roberts leads Antioch Community Church, Headford Street, Broomhall.

To join the church, which is meeting online during the coronavirus lockdown, visit antiochsheffield.org.uk/antioch-online