The Resurrection of Jesus

Today is Easter Sunday. The day in which we celebrate what God was up to! Remember how Peter denied Jesus? Well, on the Day of Pentecost, Peter boldly preached in public in the very city of Jerusalem where Jesus was killed: “But God released Him from the horrors of death and raised Him back to life, for death could not keep Him in its grip” (Acts 2:24 NLT). Jesus was risen. He was and is no longer dead!

Luke tells us what happened on this most glorious day: 

“But very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. So they went in, but they didn't find the body of the Lord Jesus. As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes. The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, "Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? He isn't here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what He told you back in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that He would rise again on the third day." Then they remembered that He had said this. So they rushed back from the tomb to tell His eleven disciples—and everyone else—what had happened. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several other women who told the apostles what had happened” (Luke 24:1-10 NLT).

At first the apostles thought this news was nonsense. However, for the next 40 or so days Jesus appeared to them, ate with them, taught them, as well as over 500 people. They no longer thought this good news was nonsense as evident by people like Peter who boldly taught and witnessed to the resurrection of Jesus.

Question? If the death of Jesus achieved what God had planned for and nothing else can be added to it, then what was the purpose and meaning in raising Jesus to life?

Answer: The resurrection affirms the Lordship of Jesus Christ. It is said that the Resurrection was a divine endorsement of Jesus’ teachings, God’s confirmation that Jesus’ teachings were true.

Throughout the gospels Jesus made some big claims. He said that He was God (John 10:30). He spoke about His own death and resurrection well before it happened (Matthew 16:21). He claimed that no person can come to God unless they follow Him (John 14:6). If Jesus remained dead, then His teachings would be lies, His claims false, and there would be little hope.

As Jesus was raised to life, His teachings and claims are all affirmed therefore giving us hope that Jesus is who He said He is - Lord and Saviour. These affirmations give us hope – that we serve a real, living, loving God.

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ also promises that those who die in Christ will live with Christ in heaven. WE ourselves will be resurrected. The resurrection of Jesus Christ means that God offers new life to those who believe. Peter wrote: “What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we've been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for” (1 Peter 1:3 MSG). The resurrection of Jesus also gives the church a new mandate. When Jesus was raised to life He commissioned the church to be His witnesses.

And today we the church, God’s people, need to witness for Jesus by preaching the gospel of the resurrection, loving the unloved, defending the rights of the abuse, caring for the poor and standing up against injustices.

During this Holy Week we have journey together to the cross. Humanly speaking, everything looked hopeless. The kingdom that Jesus spoke of looked dead before it really got established. God’s plan was different. It was bigger and bolder than anyone had ever imagined. Daniel prophesied long ago: “How great are His signs, how powerful His wonders! His kingdom will last forever, His rule through all generations” (Daniel 4:3 NLT). Christ’s resurrection confirmed all of this. We have been redeemed, His Kingdom has come and will last forever, and now we are commissioned to share this good news. Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed!