The Resurrection
The Resurrection: Foundation of Hope and Redemption
The resurrection of Jesus Christ stands as the cornerstone of our faith, and the most pivotal event in all human history. If Jesus had simply been crucified and remained in the grave, our faith would crumble, and our souls would be left in the grip of sin and despair.
But He did not remain in the grave because death could not hold Him.
“Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.” (Acts 2:24)
In the New Testament, we find the compelling testimony of Christ's resurrection. Three days after His crucifixion, Jesus triumphantly emerged from the tomb, fulfilling His own prophecies, and establishing His divine authority. His resurrection wasn't merely a spiritual metaphor, but a tangible reality witnessed by more than 500 of His followers. (1 Cor. 15:6)
To grasp the full significance of Christ's resurrection and the establishment of His Kingdom, we must also go back into Scripture where the Old Testament laid the groundwork, foretelling the Messiah's atoning sacrifice and His triumph over death. From God’s covenant promise to Abraham that all nations of the earth would be blessed (Genesis 12:1-3) to passages like Isaiah 53 and 2 Samuel 7:1–17, we see the foretelling of the coming Messiah centuries before Christ's birth, all culminating in His resurrection.
The resurrection of Jesus inaugurated a new era—what Scripture calls “the last days”—ushering in the final phase of God's redemptive plan. His resurrection serves as the firstfruits of the righteous, guaranteeing the future resurrection of all who believe in Him. It is in Him, we find the assurance of our own resurrection unto glory.
“But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” (1 Cor. 15:20-26)
And don’t miss this - He rose bodily, in flesh and bone, a fact confirmed by the empty tomb and witnessed by His disciples. This tangible reality underscores the truth of His victory over death and sin. (Luke 24:39)
Most importantly, the resurrection demonstrates God's acceptance of Jesus' atoning sacrifice for our sins. By raising Jesus from the dead, God vindicated His Son and declared His victory over sin and death. Through Christ's resurrection, we find justification and reconciliation with God.
Speaking through the Spirit, the apostle Paul said that without Christ's resurrection, our faith would be in vain, and we would remain bound by the chains of sin. (1 Cor. 15:14)
What then does the resurrection mean for us as we approach Easter? If you read our previous blog, you may recall this quote: “Jesus’ last words should not be our least concern”. (Heather Zempel) She rightly says that we should see Jesus’ last words in Matthew 28:18-20 as a priority and a call to action to share the Good News. Because He lives, we as believers have assurance of eternal life and the promise of renewal for all creation. But what about our friends and neighbors who do not know Him?
Jesus commanded us to be ambassadors of the Good News so my prayer is that you will invite someone to join you in worship this Easter and pray that they will encounter the risen Christ. Blessings!
Credit: Ron Kelley
The resurrection of Jesus Christ stands as the cornerstone of our faith, and the most pivotal event in all human history. If Jesus had simply been crucified and remained in the grave, our faith would crumble, and our souls would be left in the grip of sin and despair.
But He did not remain in the grave because death could not hold Him.
“Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.” (Acts 2:24)
In the New Testament, we find the compelling testimony of Christ's resurrection. Three days after His crucifixion, Jesus triumphantly emerged from the tomb, fulfilling His own prophecies, and establishing His divine authority. His resurrection wasn't merely a spiritual metaphor, but a tangible reality witnessed by more than 500 of His followers. (1 Cor. 15:6)
To grasp the full significance of Christ's resurrection and the establishment of His Kingdom, we must also go back into Scripture where the Old Testament laid the groundwork, foretelling the Messiah's atoning sacrifice and His triumph over death. From God’s covenant promise to Abraham that all nations of the earth would be blessed (Genesis 12:1-3) to passages like Isaiah 53 and 2 Samuel 7:1–17, we see the foretelling of the coming Messiah centuries before Christ's birth, all culminating in His resurrection.
The resurrection of Jesus inaugurated a new era—what Scripture calls “the last days”—ushering in the final phase of God's redemptive plan. His resurrection serves as the firstfruits of the righteous, guaranteeing the future resurrection of all who believe in Him. It is in Him, we find the assurance of our own resurrection unto glory.
“But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” (1 Cor. 15:20-26)
And don’t miss this - He rose bodily, in flesh and bone, a fact confirmed by the empty tomb and witnessed by His disciples. This tangible reality underscores the truth of His victory over death and sin. (Luke 24:39)
Most importantly, the resurrection demonstrates God's acceptance of Jesus' atoning sacrifice for our sins. By raising Jesus from the dead, God vindicated His Son and declared His victory over sin and death. Through Christ's resurrection, we find justification and reconciliation with God.
Speaking through the Spirit, the apostle Paul said that without Christ's resurrection, our faith would be in vain, and we would remain bound by the chains of sin. (1 Cor. 15:14)
What then does the resurrection mean for us as we approach Easter? If you read our previous blog, you may recall this quote: “Jesus’ last words should not be our least concern”. (Heather Zempel) She rightly says that we should see Jesus’ last words in Matthew 28:18-20 as a priority and a call to action to share the Good News. Because He lives, we as believers have assurance of eternal life and the promise of renewal for all creation. But what about our friends and neighbors who do not know Him?
Jesus commanded us to be ambassadors of the Good News so my prayer is that you will invite someone to join you in worship this Easter and pray that they will encounter the risen Christ. Blessings!
Credit: Ron Kelley
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