Crucifix or Empty Cross?

Romans 4:25, 1 Corinthians 15:17

Which is a better symbol of Christianity: the crucifix with Jesus dead body hanging on the cross or perhaps the empty cross that testifies to his resurrection and Easter? Which holiday really has greater significance: Good Friday or Easter Sunday?

Perhaps many people might say well isn’t it Good Friday? Isn’t it on that day that Jesus offered himself as a sacrifice for sin? On the day when he said “it is finished” on that day when our salvation was accomplished? Isn’t Good Friday far more important than Easter?

In Romans chapter 4 verse 25 it says this

He was handed over to death because of our trespasses and was raised to life because of our justification. (Romans 4:25)

Certainly Jesus death on the cross was huge. Yes there he did pay for our sins, he paid for them in full, but Paul reminds us in 1st Corinthians chapter 15 that

And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. (1 Corinthians 15:17)

You see Jesus’ resurrection Easter Sunday testifies this truth. Not simply that we ourselves also will be raised from the dead, but that God the Father has in fact accepted his payment for our sins. And we know this because he has raised Jesus from the dead. Is it as a testimony to the fact that we are right with God, that the entire world has been declared not guilty in Christ.

Thanks be to God that Jesus wasn’t just handed over to death as payment for our sins, but also his resurrection is a testimony to us that God has declared us righteous in his sight, in Christ. Amen.

Watch on YouTube