What Does The Bible Say About The Resurrection Of Jesus Christ?

Understanding the resurrection of Jesus Christ is foundational to our Christian faith. The Bible tells us that without the resurrection of Jesus, our faith is useless. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:14, “If Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless.” (NLT) If this is how crucial resurrection is to our Christian faith, then it is only right and appropriate that we dedicate some of our time to what the Word of God says about it. First of all, the Word of God is clear when it says that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is real and that it is true history. The Bible affirms the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

What is amazing about the resurrection of Jesus Christ is that it confirms His identity as the Son of GOD. God is mighty enough to raise Jesus Christ from the dead; no other entity in the cosmos can ever do this. It goes to prove that Jesus Christ is the great “I Am” (John 18:6 When Jesus[a] said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. ESV). The resurrection of Christ is indeed glorious, miraculous, and real! Interestingly, both the Old and the New Testaments have spoken about the resurrection of Christ. In fact, Jesus Himself foretells not only His death but also His resurrection. Matthew 16:21 says, “From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” (ESV)

The Grand Importance of the Resurrection of Christ

So Christ was raised from the dead, what now? First of all, the resurrection of Jesus Christ witnesses the tremendous power of God Himself. Believing in the resurrection is also believing in His immense power. If God created the universe from nothing through His Words, then it is logical and reasonable to believe that He has the power to raise the dead. God has this power to create something from nothing, and so He also has the power to resurrect a life after death. Our God is the only entity that can reverse the hideousness that is death itself, which the Bible says is “the last enemy to be destroyed” (1 Corinthians 15:26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. ESV). And it is God alone Who can get rid of the sting of death and claim victory over the grave (1 Corinthians 15:54-55). The resurrection of Jesus Christ should remind us as His children that the Lord we worship has absolute sovereignty over all things, both the living and the dead.

Another reason the resurrection of Christ is critical is it validates Who Jesus claimed to be. Jesus was no ordinary man but the Messiah and the true Son of God. Jesus said that His resurrection, which is a clear sign from heaven, authenticates His ministry and proves His divinity (Matthew 16:1-4). And indeed, hundreds of eyewitnesses were able to attest to His resurrection and at the same time provide irrefutable proof that He is indeed the Messiah, the Savior of the world (1 Corinthians 15:3-8).

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is also important because it proves that He is indeed both sinless and divine. Psalm 16:10 states that the “Holy One,” which is our Lord Jesus Christ, would never see corruption. And amazingly, Jesus never saw corruption, even after His death. Because of this, Jesus brings forgiveness and has authority over all things. Acts 13: 38-39 says, “Let it be known to you, therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him, everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.” (ESV)

His glorious resurrection also validates the prophecies that were told in the Old Testament. Its implication is simple—the Word of God is true, and God Himself is faithful to fulfill and complete His plans. The sufferings and the resurrection of Jesus Christ were already hinted at in the Old Testament. And because it did happen, we can all agree in the chorus that God is speaking the truth and that His words stand forever (1 Peter 1:25 But the word of the Lord remains forever.”And that word is the Good News that was preached to you.). The resurrection validates Jesus Christ as the Holy One and at the same time authenticates that whatever God has said, it will surely be fulfilled. Our God is truly worthy to be praised!

To eliminate the resurrection of Jesus is to diminish the power of the Gospel. The Apostle Paul clearly understood that if Jesus was not resurrected, then all of us have no hope at all. Apart from the resurrection of Christ, there is no Messiah, no salvation, and no heaven for us. But since the resurrection is real, then we can all sleep well tonight and feel energized in the morning knowing that our God was able to fulfill His promise of redemption for us who believe in Jesus Christ. Let us not forget to feel thankful every single day that the Lord of all Creation can resurrect us from the dead and give us the chance to be in His Holy presence eternally.

Jesus as the Resurrection and the Life

Jesus Himself claims, “I am the resurrection and the life.” (John 11:25 Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life.[a] Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.) He is indeed the source of both resurrection and life. And by carefully studying the Scriptures, we will realize that Jesus is not only a life-giver but that He Himself is life. Because Jesus is life Himself, it is logical to think that death has no power over Him. Whoever trusts in Jesus Christ can share His victory over death (1 John 5:11-12). Bear in mind that it is in the resurrection of Jesus Christ that the full power of the Holy Spirit is unleashed by Jesus’ resurrection. The greetings of Paul in Romans 1:1-4 says that Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, was called to be an apostle and set apart for the Gospel of God. He promised this beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures concerning his Son, Who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God, in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord. Rejoice! For we will be able to personally experience the resurrection. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is indeed a great source of blessings to us, His children. It is a saving event that was powered by the Holy Spirit, and someday we will be able to taste and see the same power that resurrected our Lord and Savior. What makes the resurrection of Jesus Christ even more beautiful? It displays the great and infinite power and wisdom of the Holy Trinity!