What does the Resurrection of Jesus mean for us? And why does it mean something for our own lives and not just the life of one holy God-man?
First, the Resurrection shows us that Goodness is in control of the universe.
Huston Smith puts it this way:
“Jesus’s resurrection was not about the fate of a worthy man. It concerned the status of goodness in the universe, offering evidence that goodness has power—indeed, ultimate power. Jesus was goodness incarnate, and in his resurrection his goodness triumphed….The resurrection reversed the cosmic position in which the cross had placed Jesus’s goodness.” (The Soul of Christianity: Restoring the Great Tradition [HarperSanFrancisco, 2005], 75-6)
It is crucial to remember this when we face the obvious evil in our world. The awareness that goodness is ultimately in control keeps us from losing hope; and hope itself helps us to notice the good and not to get mired in discouragement at the in-your-face presence of evil.
The resurrection shows us that there is no violence in God.
According to theologian James Alison,
“At the resurrection, what the apostolic group began to understand was that there is no violence in God, no wrath, no desire for retribution, no need for vengeance or satisfaction” (“Befriending a Vengeful God,” Encounter, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, October 24, 2004).
How de we know that there is no violence or vengeance in God? For one thing, Jesus came right back to the people who had denied him and run off in his hour of need—and he didn’t come back to get even. He came into the room where the apostles were quivering in fear and said to them, “Peace be with you” (John 20:19 ).
The early Christians took very seriously the belief that there is no room in God’s love for violence. One of the ways in which this was evident was that they tended to refuse military service.
The Resurrection shows the tender mercy of God toward us.
Instead of taking revenge on us for our own denials and betrayals, God forgives us and turns our falling into new life—life renewed for our earthly journey, and life everlasting after death.
“For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life.” (Romans 5:10)
The gifts of the Resurrection carry with them a marvelous responsibility. For through the tender mercy of God who forgives us our sins; through the love of God in whom there is no violence; through the power of God whose goodness triumphs over evil—we, puny creatures that we are, are called to let ourselves be transformed into the good and merciful and peaceful presence of Christ for the world.
In John 20:21, Jesus says a second time (they probably needed to hear it again) “Peace be with you.” But then he adds, “As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.”
But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
Indeed I count everything as loss
because of the surpassing worth
of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as refuse,
in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him,
not having a righteousness of my own, based on law,
but that which is through faith in Christ,
the righteousness from God that depends on faith;that I may know him and the power of his resurrection,
and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
that if possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect;
but I press on to make it my own,
because Christ Jesus has made me his own.(Philippians 3:7-12 RSV)