The Resurrection: The Promise of Better Things

As we reflect on the resurrection of Jesus Christ, it's natural to focus on the historical event itself - the empty tomb, the appearances to the disciples, the world-changing implications. But have we considered the ongoing consequences of Christ's resurrection? The fact that Jesus is alive forever has profound implications for us today, offering a promise of something far better than anything we've known before.

The book of Hebrews gives us a fresh perspective on Christ's resurrection, connecting it to the idea that Jesus is simply better - better than anything or anyone to which He has been compared. Because Jesus lives forever, making intercession for those He saves, He is able to save completely. His present ministry as our great high priest and our ability to draw near to God through His intercession are only possible because He is alive.

This isn't about potential future outcomes or wishful thinking. These are present realities for everyone who calls upon the name of Jesus. Let's explore three ways in which Christ's resurrection makes things better for us right now.

1. A Better Promise

Under the old covenant, everything was temporary. The Levitical priesthood, the sacrificial system, even the law itself - all were designed to be temporary measures until Christ came. The priests' terms of service ended with their deaths. The sacrifices had to be repeated daily, monthly, yearly. Their effectiveness was limited in both time and scope.

But with Christ, there are no such limitations. God the Father swore an oath upon His own name (an oath that could only be fulfilled through the resurrection) that Christ's priesthood would be eternal. "The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, you are a priest forever."

This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. He has signed His name to our debt, taking responsibility to advocate for us and stand in on our behalf. He has become the guarantee of our righteousness because of His sinless life, of our eternal life because of His endless life, and of our perpetual acceptance in God's family because of His intercession.

In Christ, we have a better hope. When we seek God, we will actually find Him. The promise of Jeremiah 29:13 comes true in Jesus: "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." We have every reasonable expectation to be welcomed and accepted into God's family, because Jesus lives.

2. A Better Salvation

While there were 83 high priests in Israel from Aaron until the destruction of the temple in 70 AD, all were prevented from continuing their ministry because of death. But Jesus holds His ministry permanently because He continues forever. His is an indestructible life.

Right now, as we worship and praise Him, Jesus is interceding for us before the Father. His death was not the end of His ministry, but the beginning of a permanent, immutable work on our behalf. Because He lives forever, He is able to save us "to the uttermost."

This salvation is not limited by time - it covers all our past sins and all our future struggles. It's not limited by degree - even our deepest, darkest secrets are covered by His grace. It's not dependent on our circumstances, whether we're on the mountaintop or in the valley. Merit is not a factor - God sees the heart, where true faith resides, even if it's small or almost imperceptible.

Christ's power to save is absolute, and what He does, He does completely. As He promised in John 6:37, "All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away." The door is always open if we'll come.

Our security in God's family depends on Christ's ongoing intercession for us. What we needed to be saved, Jesus did on the cross. What we need to stay saved, He is doing right now as He intercedes for us. And He who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it (Philippians 1:6).

3. A Better Savior

Unlike every other spiritual leader or mentor we've known, Jesus will never let us down. He faced the full force of temptation and yielded to none of it. He is able to sympathize with us in our weaknesses, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). He knows our frame and deals gently with us in our weakness (Hebrews 5:2).

Our resurrected Christ is described as holy, innocent, unstained, separate from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He dwells in unapproachable light and unspeakable glory, yet He is near to us, with us, and in us through the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Because of who He is by nature, Jesus was able to offer Himself as both priest and sacrifice, once for all. His sacrifice never needs to be repeated - it was completely satisfactory and sufficient in every way.

What does this mean for us? It means we can come to Christ with confidence - not with brash ego or arrogance, but with assurance in who He is and what He has accomplished. Our hope is not in religious practices, in our ability to "keep our nose clean," or in any human institution or individual. All of these will fail us. But Christ will never fail.

Our salvation is anchored in Christ Himself. It will not change because He does not change. As He promised, "All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away" (John 6:37).

Is God dealing with your heart as you read this? Do you hear the Holy Spirit's whisper, tugging at your heart? Then all you need to do is come to Christ by faith. It doesn't matter how big your faith is or how many questions you have. If you turn your eyes upon Jesus and call upon His name with even the smallest amount of faith, He will never turn you away. He is so good and so kind. He will save you completely, both now and forever.

For those who already believe, perhaps you've slipped back into the mistaken idea that you have to earn or pay or do something to be accepted by God. Maybe you judge your standing with God based on how well you're doing or how you feel. If so, you need this reminder to rest in Christ alone. It is in our Savior who lives forever that we trust, and in Him alone.

The resurrection of Jesus is not just a historical event to be celebrated once a year. It's a present reality that offers us a better promise, a better salvation, and a better Savior. May we learn to live in the light of this truth every day.