Today the resurrection of Jesus Christ often means to Christians nothing more than proof of life after death. It meant that to the early Christians, but it meant much more. The resurrection was the proof that Jesus was the Messiah of God.
The Resurrection speaks of a living Savior. The angel said, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” (Luke 24:4-5). Had Jesus remained in the grave and returned to dust, there would be no hope of deliverance from sin and death.
The Resurrection tells us of the power of God. God’s omnipotence is clearly seen in the resurrection (Romans 1:4). Jesus lives by God’s power (2 Corinthians 13:4).
The Resurrection guarantees our redemption. Righteousness and justification are accounted to those who have faith in God (Romans 4:24-25; 5:1, 9).
The Resurrection is the foundation for the hope of life beyond the grave. See 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Corinthians 6:14 and 2 Corinthians 4:14. Jesus’ resurrection is the promise of our resurrection. When our loved ones die in the Lord and pass into the invisible universe, there is hope. Christians have the same hope of life beyond death.
The Resurrection gives assurance of the judgment. We know that there is a great day coming when God will judge all human beings that have ever lived (Acts 17:30-31). The resurrection gives us that assurance (John 5:21-29).
When Jesus died, the disciples fled because there was no sense in risking one’s life in a lost cause. However, at the very depth of despair, they were suddenly faced with a new development. Jesus was not dead; He was alive, for He had risen!
