239. Why Christ had to rise
239. WHY CHRIST HAD TO RISE
How was Christ’s Resurrection a necessary part of our salvation? Wasn’t His death enough?
It behooved Christ to rise again, for five reasons.
First of all, for the commendation of divine justice, to which it belongs to exalt them who humble themselves for God’s sake, according to Luke 1:52: He hath put down the mighty from their seat and hath exalted the lowly. Consequently, because Christ humbled Himself even to the death of the Cross, from love and obedience to God, it behooved Him to be uplifted by God to a glorious resurrection. . .
Secondly, for our instruction in the faith, since our belief in Christ’s Godhead is confirmed by His rising again. . . .
Thirdly, for the raising of our hope, since through seeing Christ, Who is our Head, rise again, we hope that we likewise shall rise again. . . .
Fourthly, to set in order the lives of the faithful, according to Romans 6:4: As Christ is risen from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we also may walk in newness of life; and further on, Christ rising from the dead dieth now no more; so do you also reckon that you are dead to sin but alive to God.
Fifthly, in order to complete the work of our salvation. For just as He endured evil things in dying so that He might deliver us from evil, so was He glorified in rising again in order to advance us toward good things. . . (III,53,1).
It is very clear from Scripture that Christ’s Resurrection is absolutely necessary. “If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain . . . and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all men most to be pitied” (1 Cor 15:14-19). But why?
St. Thomas, as usual, gives more reasons than one. (For there usually are more reasons than one in God’s infinitely commodious mind. He is always more. Cf Ps 139:1-6, 17-18.)
First, because Christ rose, justice, not injustice, has the last word.
Second, because Christ rose, our faith is based on solid literal fact.
Third, because Christ rose, our hope is stronger than death.
Fourth, because Christ rose, He can now act in our souls and make us saints. We can’t do that ourselves! (Put straps under your boots and then try pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps.) It’s not just that “Christ rose” (past tense) but that “Christ is risen” (present tense). The practical point about the Resurrection is that He’s alive and acting right now. Imagine seeing what you took to be a stuffed animal in a museum come alive and charge at you.
(The reason He’s charging at you like a lion is not to eat you but so that you can eat Him.)
Fifth, because Christ rose, the work of our salvation is a full story, not just half a story: the comedy as well as the tragedy, light as well as darkness.
The reason you can’t be saved without the Resurrection is that you can’t be saved by a dead Savior. Corpses and memories don’t act. Corpses may scare you, but that’s all in your imagination. Memories may inspire you, but that’s all in your own mind. Christ doesn’t come to you from your own mind and imagination; He comes to you from His.
When we go to Church, there should be warning signs posted, and sudden shouts: “Look out! He’s alive!”
I once heard a holy priest say that every time he prays “Thy will be done” and remembers the Resurrection, he ducks.