The resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is foundational to the Christian faith. Though some may think that the resurrection is a myth, the Holy Scriptures provides ample proof that Christ actually rose from the dead. Jesus Himself testified of His own resurrection prior to His death on the Cross. On one occasion Jesus said, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19). The Jews thought that He was speaking of the temple building. “But He was speaking about the temple of His body” (John 2:21).
In Matthew’s gospel, we read: “Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. “He is not here, for He has risen, as He said. Come, see the place where He lay. “Then go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead, and behold, He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see Him. See, I have told you.” So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy and ran to tell His disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshipped Him” (Matthew 28:1-9). The two women arrived at the tomb and the angel assured them that Jesus had risen. They ran from the tomb “with fear and great joy” to inform Jesus’s disciples. And Jesus met them on the way.
There is solid undeniable historical evidence that the Lord Jesus Christ rose from the dead. God never leaves Himself without a witness. Those who do not believe in the resurrection do not and will not change the fact that it actually happened. All four gospels in the Bible record the resurrection and events of that day, as follows: Matthew 28:1-15, Mark 16:1-14, Luke 24:1-49, and John 20:1-23. Today there is an empty tomb and an occupied throne in heaven. We have a great Savior who is now seated at the right hand of God, His Father.
The apostle Paul also writes about the fact of Christ’s resurrections as follows: “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared also to me” (1 Corinthians 15:3-8). In verses 5 through 7, Paul gives us a list of those who were eyewitnesses to Christ’s resurrection. Then Paul adds his name since he had a personal encounter with his risen Lord Jesus on the road to Damascus. Paul points out that Jesus “appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time” after His resurrection, and some were still alive while Paul was writing this letter.
The risen Lord Jesus is the believer’s hope. There would be very serious consequences if Christ had not been risen from the dead. Paul argues, “And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:14-20).
Dr. Charles Stanley writes that there is no hope for us without Christ’s resurrection. And that we would have no assurance of eternal life. “The physical bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is essential to the truth and power of the gospel. Without the Resurrection, Christianity would be like every other religion in the world—powerless to save. Without the Resurrection, there would be no triumph over sin and death, and we would have no assurance of eternal life. There is no hope for us without His resurrection” (Life Principles Bible, p. 1379).
Since indeed Christ has been raised from the dead, He is most worthy of our faith and trust, because He said it would actually take place. Paul is pleased to announce victoriously that “Christ has been raised from the dead.” This further reinforces our confidence that we serve a risen Savior, who is alive forevermore. Let us join with Job who declared, “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will stand upon the earth” (Job 19:25). If you cannot truthfully and sincerely say like Job that your Redeemer lives, why not trust Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and He will surely become your Redeemer? May God help you to do so while you have the opportunity.