The Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is foundational to Christian faith. And it is celebrated worldwide by Christians as a most joyous occasion. If there had been no resurrection of Christ from the dead, there would be no forgiveness of sins`.
On the Sunday following Good Friday, Mary Magdalene and others visited the tomb where Jesus was buried. While there, an angel said to them “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” (Matthew 28:5-7).
This statement is about the resurrection of Jesus Christ who was crucified on the Cross on Good Friday. After His death, His body was taken down and laid in a tomb.
Easter is a call to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, keeping in mind the great sacrifice he made for mankind when He shed His blood and died on the Cross. Over 2,000 years ago, on the first Easter, God the Father raised His Son Jesus from the dead.
The apostle Paul points out the futility of the Christian faith if Christ had not risen from the dead. “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 live 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 15:17-20.
The Scriptures provide ample proof of Christ’s resurrection. When the angel invited those visiting the empty tomb to come, see the place where the Lord lay, they were asked to go quickly and tell Jesus’ disciples that he has risen from the dead.
The angel informed the women, “Behold, [Jesus] 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 worshiped him” (Matthew. 28:7-9).
Then Jesus in His gracious way asked them to make it known. He said: “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me” (v. 10).
The four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John present accounts of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and relevant events of that historic day.
The apostle Paul presents the fact of Christ’s resurrection. First, he begins with the death of Christ. “Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third in accordance with the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3,4).
The reference in accordance with the Scriptures is most important, because it was in God’s eternal plan for mankind. Christ’s burial was prophesied by Isaiah, “They made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death” (Isaiah 53:9).
Christ’s resurrection is foretold in Psalm 16:9,10 which reads, “Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.”
The holy Scriptures actually testify to the death and resurrection of the Savior of mankind, who is the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul also mentions the physical appearance of Christ to others, including himself: “And that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time . . . 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 15:5-8).
It is therefore absolute truth that not only Christ died, and not only was He buried, but also His physical appearances to so many is clear and undeniable evidence of His bodily resurrection.
The empty tomb means Christ has conquered sin, death and the grave. Thus we have hope of eternal life.
After His resurrection, Christ ascended to heaven where He is now seated at the right hand of God the Father, “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25).
On the day of His ascension to heaven, we have the promise of the Lord’s return. While the apostles were present and witnessing His departure, the Bible says, “While they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven” (Acts 1:10,11).
Jesus Christ is coming back. Are you prepared to meet Him? If you were to die before He returns, do you have the assurance you will go to heaven? If you have doubts about these questions, you can be certain right now whether you are going to heaven.
The Bible says, “But God demonstrates his own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Christ took the penalty we deserved for our sin, placed it upon Himself and died in our place. Three days later, Christ rose from the dead, having defeated sin and death.
This prayer cannot save you, but it is telling God what you are doing and asking Him to save you. Dear God, I’m a sinner and my sin deserves to be punished. I believe Jesus died for me and rose from the dead. I now trust Him as my personal Savior. I thank you for your forgiveness and eternal life. In Jesus name. Amen.
Please contact the pastor of a Bible-believing Christian Church and tell him what you’ve done. He will be happy to help you grow in your faith in Jesus Christ.