He Did Not Die in Vain

You were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. I Peter 1:18-19

As we celebrate the joyous commemoration of our Lord's resurrection, it is important to remind ourselves that He did not die in vain. Jesus fulfilled His purpose for which God sent Him to earth, and His death was not the end; it was just the beginning!

It was a dark day when He died - hope was crushed. But that was not the last chapter. For God had a redemptive plan for His people, and that included bringing Jesus back to life. Jesus conquered death once and for all.

For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever. Hebrews 7:26-28

He did not die in vain because His death accomplished great things for us, His children. His humble obedience to His Father, even to death on a cross, brought us salvation.

For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. I Thess. 5:9-10

Salvation only comes through Jesus Christ. And it is only possible because He took our sins upon Himself.

He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief corner stone. And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:11-12

His grief and pain bought us peace.

For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. Colossians 1:19-20

And not just peace in the sense of "I'm calm," but peace in the sense that we have peace with God, our Heavenly Father, and that there is no separation between us and Him.

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2

This certainly is wondrous news of life and love. Jesus lives and reigns above!

When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they. Hebrews 1:3-4

He has made the path to glory plain - telling us over and over in the gospel of John that if we believe in Him, we will have eternal life.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16

When we believe in Him, we have passed out of death and into life.

Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. John 5:24

And when we are freed from sin through His atoning blood, we derive our benefit: eternal life!

But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. Romans 6:22

Jesus did not die in vain.

Lord, let me not live my life in vain, but let me live to glorify You and bring honor to Your name!

He Did Not Die in Vain
Words by Carrie Breck

My blessed Lord was crucified,
The day was dark, and grief was wide,
For hope was crushed and all seemed vain,
Until that Savior rose again.

Refrain
Ring out the blessed news again!
Oh! bear aloft the strain;
The mighty Lord is ris’n in power,
He died, but not in vain!

He brings His great salvation nigh,
And on His love bids us rely;
He bought our peace through grief and pain;
But oh! He did not die in vain!

O, wondrous news of life and love!
That Jesus lives and reigns above!
He made the path to glory plain;
Ah, no! He did not die in vain.