Believers are called Christians because of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Christianity would be regarded as a dead religion without the resurrection from the dead, like every other religion. However, the resurrection means that God has the power to destroy the grave and death. It also has other signs that will be discussed in this article. So, keep on reading for more details.
What is the Resurrection
The resurrection of Jesus simply means that Jesus defeated death and the grave. The event of the resurrection took place after Jesus was scourged, crucified, killed, and buried. On the third day after his death, he was resurrected. The bible recorded the account of the resurrection in Mark 16:1-7.
When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb, and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.'”
So, the resurrection is Jesus rising from the dead. Thus, it is a central historical event in the Christian faith. It is important to note that without the resurrection. Christianity would not have existed. The bible says in 1 Corinthians 15:14, “If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain, and your faith is in vain.” That means the resurrection is what differentiates the Christians from other religions. In conclusion, the resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the foundation of the Christian system, and without it, Christianity is a hoax, and we are wasting our time.
What Did Christ Demonstrated through the Resurrection
The resurrection of Jesus Christ demonstrated the following to the world;
Jesus Christ is the Son of God:
The major demonstration shown through the resurrection is that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. The bible says that Christ is “‘And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection of the dead” (Romans 1:4). So, the resurrection shows that Jesus is not an ordinary man who died like every other man. Instead, He is the Son of God, as shown in the scripture above.
Assurance and Forgiveness of sins:
It is important to note that Christianity would not have existed without the resurrection from the dead, nor would man be forgiven for his sin of disobedience. The bible says that our faith is vain if Christ hath not been raised; ye are yet in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:17). This means that the resurrection proves that the sacrifice of the lamb (Jesus) was acceptable, and men can now appear before God as righteous if they are born again.
Christianity Live Forever:
One of the high points about Christianity is that it is not a religion or dead practice. Instead, the worship and praise are to a living being. Unlike other religions like Islam, whose founder is dead and his bones lie dormant on the earth. But the founder of Christianity—sixty years after his death—appeared to John on the island of Patmos and said: “I am the first and the last, and the Living one, and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forever” (Revelation 1:17-18).
Victory Over Death:
The resurrection of Jesus demonstrates that life does not end when one dies physically. Being the source of all life, God can revive a dead human body (1 Timothy 6:13). Heaven tells us that, as a result of Christ’s triumph over death, we shall one day rise alongside him. The truth is that death has lost its sting over believers.
Three Reasons the Resurrection Matters
Here are the three reasons why the resurrection matters most to believers;
The Resurrection Shows Our Sins Have been forgiven:
Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose from the dead on the third day, as Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. Also, in verse 17, “If Christ has not been raised from the dead, your faith is meaningless, and you continue in your sins.”
So, Paul connects Jesus’ resurrection and death as sufficient to atone for our sins. On the third day of Jesus’ resurrection, God expressed satisfaction with his Son’s sacrifice. Jesus’ resurrection vindicated him (1 Timothy 3:16). So we are also vindicated. “Delivered for our trespasses and resurrected for our justification,” Paul writes in Romans 4. (Rom.4:25).
The Resurrections Shows Death has been Defeated:
God raised [Jesus] from the grave, freeing him from the agony of death, Peter proclaimed on Pentecost (Acts 2:24). So, Jesus escaped death’s clutches. The resurrection shows that Jesus not only conquered death for himself but also for us. As the Second Adam, he was raised from the grave to represent mankind. Christ has really risen as the firstfruits of the dead. The bible says that as humans caused death, so too did humans cause the resurrection of the dead. “As in Adam, so in Christ shall all be resurrected” (1 Corinthians 15:20-22). His resurrection ensures our victory over death. Seeing Jesus’ tomb empty reassures us that sickness, death, and disease will not be the end of the story.
The resurrection means that God is interested in the world:
Jesus’ bodily resurrection from the tomb signified God’s final acceptance of the creation project. The resurrection informs us that what we eat matters. As a result, the early Christians believed the established order might be redeemed (Romans 8:18-25).
The new creation is still happening, but Jesus’ risen power is now functioning in us (Ephesians 1:19-20). While we look forward to the end of all death, sickness, and decay in Jesus’ name, we are also compelled and enabled to fight back against the tide of suffering and evil in this present world.
