When Jesus Rose from the Dead
“He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” (Luke 24:6-7 ESV)
The Resurrection Changed Everything
Imagine receiving a phone call announcing that someone you deeply loved had died. Your heart would sink with grief. Then, a short time later, you receive another call saying there had been a mistake—they are alive! Your sorrow would instantly turn to overwhelming joy.
On the first Easter morning, Jesus’ followers experienced something even greater. They had watched Him suffer and die on the cross. Their hopes seemed buried with Him in the tomb. But when the women arrived at the grave, they heard the angel’s astounding announcement: “He is not here, but has risen.” In a single moment, despair was transformed into hope, fear into faith, and death into life.
The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of Christianity. Without it, there would be no forgiveness, no new birth, no victory over sin, and no eternal hope. Because Jesus lives, everyone who places their trust in Him can experience new life both now and forever.
By His Resurrection He Was Declared to Be the Son of God
Jesus’ resurrection was God’s public declaration that Jesus truly is His Son and that every promise He made is trustworthy.
“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.” (Rom. 1:4 ESV)
He Was Raised So We Could Be Born Again
The resurrection gives every believer a brand-new beginning. Through Christ’s victory over death, we receive forgiveness, a living hope, and new spiritual life.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1 Peter 1:3 ESV)
“Who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.” (Rom. 4:25 ESV)
He Was Raised to Give Eternal Life
Jesus not only conquered death for Himself—He conquered it for everyone who believes in Him. Physical death is no longer the end but the doorway into eternal life with God.
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?’” (John 11:25-26 ESV)
“Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Rom. 10:9 ESV)
Therefore
Because Jesus lives, we no longer have to live in fear, guilt, or defeat. We have been reconciled to God, given victory over sin, and assured that Christ is alive today, interceding for us. His resurrection power is at work in every believer.
“More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” (Rom. 5:11 ESV)
“Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.” (Rom. 6:8-11 ESV)
“Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.” (Rom. 8:34 ESV)
Take time today to thank Jesus for His victory over death
If you have trusted Him as your Savior, live with the confidence that the same risen Lord who conquered the grave now lives in you. If you have never placed your faith in Him, believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, confess Him as Lord, and receive the gift of eternal life that only the risen Savior can give.
Quote
“Our old history ends with the cross; our new history begins with the resurrection.” — Watchman Nee