Zombie Apocalypse? I don't think so.

If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 1 Corinthians 15:13–14

Ask 10 Christians: Why is the cross important, and you will get a fairly uniform response.  Ask the same 10 Christians why is the resurrection important, and you will get less uniformity, more variety and even some blank stares. 

The beautiful and selfless act of Jesus' death on the cross was necessary, taking the death that was ours on himself. Death was required. But the resurrection is death conquered; the resurrection is life -- not just for Jesus, not just for a future time, but for everybody, for all time. His death was once for all, but his resurrection keeps on flowing -- with power and hope for all areas of our life. Jesus began his ministry with the announcement that the Kingdom of God was at hand, was available to anybody who wanted to be a part of it, the resurrection gives us the power to do so. 

NT. Wright says, 

The resurrection completes the inauguration of God's kingdom. . . . It is the decisive event demonstrating that God's kingdom really has been launched on earth as it is in heaven. The message of [the resurrection] is that God's new world has been unveiled in Jesus Christ and that you're now invited to belong to it. 

That's the invitation, an invitation to life in the Kingdom of God, with God, and for the world. Jesus says, 

It’s urgent that you listen carefully to this: Anyone here who believes what I am saying right now and aligns himself with the Father, who has in fact put me in charge, has at this very moment the real, lasting life and is no longer condemned to be an outsider. This person has taken a giant step from the world of the dead to the world of the living. It’s urgent that you get this right: The time has arrived—I mean right now!—when dead men and women will hear the voice of the Son of God and, hearing, will come alive. (John 5:24-25 MESSAGE)

It's urgent. It's life. It's available now. The resurrection was not meant to be a ticket for another time and another place, it is meant to be reality in your life, every day. Without the resurrection, we are become the walking dead instead of the community of life we were meant to be. 

Spend some time thinking -- make a list -- about the ways that the resurrection makes a difference in your life.

Peace, hope and love

Doug