The resurrection of Jesus and burning at the stake

Why does the resurrection of Jesus matter? What difference does it make in your life?

I think the apostle Paul would say,

But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:20-23

For Paul, the resurrection of Jesus gives us the hope that we too will be raised. When Jesus returns, we will be transformed and our bodies will be made new. And that hope of resurrection gives Paul the strength to endure suffering.

For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. 2 Corinthians 1:8-10

Paul holds fast to the massive hope that the same God who raised Jesus from the dead will also rescue him. Paul is able to endure suffering with hope and joy because he knows that he will be resurrected to live with Jesus forever.

This same hope has strengthened countless men and women throughout history to persevere when life is painful, agonizing, horrible, trying and grievous.

Here are two examples:

Polycarp - St. Polycarp Church in Izmir, Turkey

Polycarp was a second century Christian who was arrested by the Roman authorities and brought into the stadium for trial. He was told to deny Christ and worship Caesar. When Polycarp refused, he was threatened with death by wild beasts. Polycarp wasn't shaken by the threat so the Roman official ordered Polycarp to be burned alive. As he was being tied to the stake, he prayed,

O Lord God Almighty, the Father of thy beloved and blessed Son Jesus Christ, by whom we have received the knowledge of Thee, the God of angels and powers, and of every creature, and of the whole race of the righteous who live before thee, I give Thee thanks that Thou hast counted me worthy of this day and this hour, that I should have a part in the number of Thy martyrs, in the cup of thy Christ, to the resurrection of eternal life, both of soul and body, through the incorruption [imparted] by the Holy Ghost. Among whom may I be accepted this day before Thee as a fat and acceptable sacrifice, according as Thou, the ever-truthful God, hast foreordained, hast revealed beforehand to me, and now hast fulfilled. Wherefore also I praise Thee for all things, I bless Thee, I glorify Thee, along with the everlasting and heavenly Jesus Christ, Thy beloved Son, with whom, to Thee, and the Holy Ghost, be glory both now and to all coming ages. Amen.

{You should read the rest of Polycarp's story. Even though they lit the fire, Polycarp didn't die in the fire….AWESOME!}

Ignatius of Antioch from the Menologion of Basil - 11th century

Ignatius was a second century Christian who was arrested in Syria and sentenced to death in the Roman Colosseum. While he was travelling to Rome in military custody, he wrote this about his belief in Jesus and his attitude toward suffering:

All the ends of the world, and all the kingdoms of this earth, shall profit me nothing. It is better for me to die for the sake of Jesus Christ, than to reign over all the ends of the earth. “For what is a man profited, if he gain the whole world, but lose his own soul?” I long after the Lord, the Son of the true God and Father, even Jesus Christ. Him I seek, who died for us and rose again.
Pray, then, do not seek to confer any greater favour upon me than that I be sacrificed to God, while the altar is still prepared; that, being gathered together in love, ye may sing praise to the Father, through Christ Jesus, that God has deemed me, the bishop of Syria, worthy to be sent for from the east unto the west, and to become a martyr in behalf of His own precious sufferings, so as to pass from the world to God, that I may rise again unto Him.
But when I suffer, I shall be the freed-man of Jesus Christ, and shall rise again emancipated in Him. And now, being in bonds for Him, I learn not to desire anything worldly or vain.

These men saw a direct link between the resurrection of Jesus and how they endure suffering. When they were suffering, they fixed their eyes on the risen Jesus and found grace to persevere. They were filled with peace and hope because they looked forward to their future resurrection with Jesus. They believed with all their heart that their current suffering was only temporary and that when Jesus returns, they will enjoy eternity with Jesus on the new earth.

So THAT'S why the resurrection of Jesus matters to us today. No matter what difficulties we face, no matter what hardships, trials, sufferings; the risen Jesus is with us. The Spirit of the risen Jesus lives in us, filling us with hope. Hope of one day rising again with Jesus, to live with him forever.

Knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 
2 Corinthians 4:14-18

Resources:
Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume 1 "The Apostolic Fathers, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus." Edited by Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson.
Eusebius of Caesarea, History of the Church.

Photos:
http://www.ephesustoursguide.com/biblical-sites-in-turkey/st-polycarp-church-izmir.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignatius_of_Antioch