The Two Greatest Events in Human History
Good afternoon. My name is John Otis, and I am with Triumphant Gospel Ministries. Today, I want to speak to you about what I believe are the two greatest events in all of human history: the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and His resurrection from the dead. These two events are of utmost importance because without them, none of us would have any hope of eternal life.
People often say that there are two certainties in life—taxes and death. I may not be certain about taxes, but I can say with confidence that death is inevitable. The question every one of us must face is this: How will we stand before the living God on the day of judgment? Every human being who has ever lived will stand before Him on that day.
Judgment and Eternal Destiny
The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ Himself will be the final judge. On that day, He will separate the sheep from the goats. The sheep are those who believed in Him and trusted in Jesus alone for their salvation. They will enter eternal life. The goats are those who refused to believe in Him, and to them Jesus will say, “Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire.”
Let me be clear—you do not want to go to hell. You do not want to leave this world without Jesus.
Jesus’ Promise of Eternal Life
While Jesus walked on the earth, He made this statement recorded in the Gospel of John: “Everyone who hears my voice and believes in Him who sent me has eternal life and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death unto life.”
Jesus also said, “I have come that you might have life, and that you might have it abundantly.”
Scripture further tells us the importance of the resurrection: “If you confess Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.”
Why Jesus Had to Die
Before we understand why Jesus had to rise from the dead, we must first understand why He had to die. To answer that, we must go back to the beginning—to Adam and Eve.
God created mankind perfect and placed them in the Garden of Eden. He allowed them to eat from every tree except one—the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God warned them that if they ate from it, they would surely die. Scripture records that they disobeyed God, and through that disobedience, sin and death entered the world—not only for them, but for all humanity.
Sin is disobedience to God’s command. The Bible defines sin as lawlessness—a transgression of God’s law. That law is summarized in the Ten Commandments, which reflect God’s holiness.
The Seriousness of Sin
Take, for example, the sixth commandment: “You shall not murder.” Many say, “I have never killed anyone.” But Jesus taught that if you are angry with your brother without cause, you have committed murder in your heart.
The seventh commandment says, “You shall not commit adultery.” Jesus explained that even looking at a person with lust is committing adultery in the heart.
Scripture goes further and says that if we know the right thing to do and do not do it, that too is sin. Even breaking the law once makes a person guilty of breaking the whole law. The Bible says, “The soul that sins must die,” and “The wages of sin is death.”
Salvation Is Not by Works
The Bible makes it clear that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. None of us can keep God’s law perfectly. Therefore, salvation cannot be earned by good works.
Scripture says, “For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
So how can we be saved? The answer is Jesus Christ.
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Jesus Our Substitute
This is where the glory of Christ is revealed. Jesus became our substitute. He paid the penalty for our sin.
The Bible says, “Christ also died for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.” He was put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit. Salvation comes through substitution—Jesus taking our place.
Why the Resurrection Was Necessary
Jesus did not remain in the grave. He rose from the dead on the third day. After His resurrection, He appeared to His disciples and showed them His hands and His side to prove that He was physically alive.
One disciple, Thomas, refused to believe unless he could see and touch Jesus. Eight days later, Jesus appeared to him and invited him to do just that. Thomas fell at His feet and declared, “My Lord and my God.”
Jesus then said something that applies to all of us: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Faith is central to the Christian life.
The Apostle Paul on the Resurrection
The Apostle Paul explained the importance of the resurrection in 1 Corinthians. He said that if Jesus had not risen from the dead, then our faith would be worthless, we would still be in our sins, and those who have died would have perished forever.
But Jesus did rise from the dead. Therefore, preaching is not in vain, and hope is real.
Resurrection Hope and Eternal Life
Scripture tells us that one day the dead will be raised. This mortal body will put on immortality, and death will be swallowed up in victory.
Jesus said in John 11: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.”
Last year, I lost my dear wife to cancer after 46 years of marriage. I placed this verse on her tombstone. Though her body lies in the grave, her spirit is with the Lord, and one day her body will rise again. That is our hope.
Invitation to Believe
Life is full of pain, suffering, and tears. But God promises a day when He will wipe away every tear, and death will be no more.
Jesus invites all who are weary and burdened to come to Him and find rest. I once lived as an agnostic, but when I trusted Christ, my life was completely transformed.
No matter what sins you carry, there is forgiveness in Christ. God separates our sins as far as the east is from the west.
Repentance and Faith
To receive Christ, we must do two things: repent and believe. Repentance means acknowledging our sin, turning from it, and desiring a changed life. Belief means trusting in Jesus alone for salvation.
Jesus Himself said, “Repent and believe in the gospel.”
You do not want to leave this world without Jesus. You do not know when your life will end. But if you turn to Him, there is hope—eternal hope.
Closing
Jesus had to rise from the dead because only then could He defeat death itself. And because He lives, there is hope for you and for me.
Thank you for listening. I will be here for a while if anyone has questions and would like to talk.
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