Since the gospel narratives are mainly concerned with Jesus earthly ministry, it is important that the main aspects of His teaching be recognized. The most important of these are: the Kingdom of God (Matt 5-7; 24-25); His divine authority over humankind (Matt 7:28-29; Mark 2:10); His own role as God and Messiah demonstrated by miracles and signs (Matt 16:15-20); the significance of His death and resurrection (Matt 16:21; Luke 24:26; the relationship His disciples and subsequent believers are to share with Him (John 13-16); and the urgency of His commission to believers to make disciples (Matt 28:19-20).
Of the many events of His earthly life, the most significant, without a doubt, are His death and resurrection. On these two pivotal, historical incidents rests the validity of the entire Christian faith (1 Cor 15:14). It is vital then to understand the nature of these two events. The death of Christ was first of all a humiliating physical death ( John 19:18, 33). More than that, for a brief time it constituted a spiritual separation from God (Matt 27:46).
Within this moment there occurred the inexplicable mystery of the Father punishing the Son for the sins of the world (1 Pet 3:18; 2 Cor 5:21). This event, although it was the greatest crime of human history, was in the plan of God (Acts 2:23), and thus became the basis of salvation for sinners (Isa 53:5).
The power of the death of Christ would be nullified without His bodily resurrection. Although it does not justify us, the resurrection demonstrated that His death, by which believing sinners are justified, was valid (1 Cor 15:12-20). While skeptics have denied the bodily resurrection of Christ, the historical evidence for it is overwhelming: the many separate accounts of post resurrection appearances, the empty tomb, and the transformed disciples.
Every life that has been dramatically and wonderfully changed by believing in Christ since the first century is a testimony to its historical reality. Furthermore, it is the power of the Resurrection that marvelously empowers Christians today to live the Christian life (Eph 1:19-20; Phil 3:10).
