Introduction

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is an event so significant His critics could not deny it; so impactful His enemies could not ignore it, and so life-transforming His followers could not stop proclaiming it! Though it occurred almost 2,000 years ago, it continues to dramatically change lives, religions, and cultures.

The influence of the resurrection is eternal in the lives of those who believe in it. And it calls for others to examine the benefits and victory it brings and consider believing. That is why in this study, I will discuss in detail the significance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and why it is crucial to embrace and believe in it.

The Facts of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ

I want to highlight in this section two important and undeniable points regarding the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

1. The Resurrection Was God’s Plan

The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ did not happen by chance. These events have been part of God’s plan from the very beginning, even “before the foundation of the world.”

1 Peter 1:19-20 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

Revelation 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

In addition to the above, the Old Testament Prophets foretold the events of Christ’s resurrection many years before His earthly life (see Psalm 16:10). In Isaiah 53:10-12, we read about a prophecy that the Messiah (Christ) will suffer, die, and be restored to life for the purpose of redeeming His people.

Moreover, Jesus Christ foretold His own death and resurrection when He declared: “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” John 2:19. Therefore, the resurrection of Jesus Christ fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies recorded concerning Him and His own predictions (see Mark 8:31; Luke 24:44).

2. The Resurrection Was Historical

Not even the critics, enemies of Jesus Christ or of the Christian religion, could deny His resurrection. Facts like the empty tomb (compare Matthew 27:62-66 with Matthew 28:2-4,6), the grave clothes that Jesus left behind (John 20:6-7), and the false claims of the Jewish Elders (Matthew 28:11-15), all proved this reality.

Jesus Christ indeed rose from the dead. The resurrection is not a mythical idea but a reality that is supported by multiple eyewitness accounts recorded in the Gospels and the Epistles (see Matthew 28:5–7; Mark 16:6; Luke 24:6–7; John 20:1–18). Here are some breakdowns of the eyewitness accounts:

• Mary Magdalene and the women at the tomb (Matthew 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-2,9; Luke 24:1-10; John 20:1-2)
• The Apostles (John 20:19-21,26; 1 Corinthians 15:3–8, Acts 2:24)
• The disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35)
• Jesus appearing to over 500 people at once (1 Corinthians 15:6).

For more on the gospel accounts of the resurrections, please read these passages: Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20. For more  details regarding the eyewitnesses, please refer to 500+ Witnesses to the Resurrection of Jesus.

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The Significance of the Resurrection and Its Impact on the Believers

The following are eight of the many significance and benefits of the resurrection of Jesus Christ for the believers:

1. The Resurrection Proves the Divinity of Jesus Christ

The resurrection of Jesus Christ serves as the ultimate confirmation of His divinity. It is the indisputable evidence to prove that Jesus Christ is truly the Son of God just like He had said.

In Romans 1:4, the Bible says that Christ was “declared (demonstrated) to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.” He proved Himself to be God in the flesh when He walked out of the grave.

Likewise, the fact that He foretold His death, burial, and resurrection (Matthew 12:39-40; 20:17-19; 26:30-32; Luke 18:31-33; John 2:19-22) was a clear indication that He is what He claims to be – the Son of God, Savior of the world (John 3:15-16).

2. It is the Foundation for the Christian Faith

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the foundation of the Christian faith and the core of the gospel message (Romans 6:4). In 1 Corinthians 15:17, we read these words: “And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.”

The resurrection validates all the teachings of Jesus Christ and affirms His divinity. The truth that the Christians proclaim is rooted in the power and reality of the risen Christ. There is no gospel without the resurrection of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:14).

The resurrection transcends cultural or religious identities. It draws believers into a harmonious community of devoted worshippers. This profound unity destroys all divisive barriers, and bridged the gaps between people from different cultures and backgrounds (Ephesians 2:14).

Ephesians 2:14-16  For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

3. The Resurrection Brings Forgiveness of Sin and Justification

Without the resurrection, we would have been stuck with sin and judgment (1 Corinthians 15:17). But because Christ is risen, sinners (like myself and you) can receive forgiveness. It is brilliantly stated in Romans 4:25 that Jesus Christ “was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.”

The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ serve as the confirmation that we have indeed been forgiven and redeemed (Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14).

4. It Assures Victory Over Sin and Death

The resurrection demonstrates the triumph of Jesus Christ over sin and death. Consequently, it assures the believers that death has lost its power over them. To demonstrate that victory, Christ declared in Revelation 1:18 that He has “the keys of hell and of death.”

And since we are in Him and He in us, we share in His victory over sin and the death it brings. This means that sin and death no longer have a hold on the believers in Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:20-22  But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

5. It is the Guarantee of the Hope and Assurance of Eternal Life

In John 11:25 Jesus declares “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. ”

The triumph of Christ over death grants the same victory to the believers in Him. It gives them a secure hope and an assurance of eternal life (Romans 6:4; Titus 1:2; 3:7). Because Christ lives, they will live also (John 14:19).

1 Peter 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

This hope transcends the problems or trials of this life (Romans 5:1-2). It is the source of comfort and peace for the believers experiencing suffering and trials, assuring them of a future resurrection (John 11:25–26) and the afterlife that is free from problems.

6. The Resurrection Empowers the Christian for Witnessing

Following His resurrection, Jesus Christ gave the disciples the mission to spread the Gospel. He declares this in Matthew 28:18-20:

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

We call this the Great Commission. Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, His disciples were empowered and emboldened to preach the gospel to all people. The previously timid apostles were transformed into leaders who preached without fear even in the face of fierce persecutions.

This is a call for all believers to be bold witnesses, sharing the gospel of the Jesus Christ and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:1-5).

7. The Resurrection Effects Transformation and Renewal of the Believers

The resurrection brings new life. It secures the believers’ salvation and invites them to participate in the newness of life (Romans 6:4; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Peter 1:3).

Therefore, it is not merely a past event, but it continues to have daily implications on those who embrace it. The believer is invited to live a transformed live that reflects their victory in Christ in every decision, relationship, and thought.

Romans 12:1-2  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Colossians 3:1-3  If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

8. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ Guarantees the Believers’ Own Resurrection

The resurrection not only proves that there is life after the physical death, it also points to the future resurrection of the believers in Christ. The resurrection power indwells the believers through the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:11) thereby assuring them of their own future resurrection.

1 Corinthians 15:20-23  But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.

The future resurrection of believers is our blessed hope and the greatest source of comfort and peace. We should therefore celebrate this, not only once in a year, but every day. No matter what happens in this life, we are guaranteed eternity with Jesus Christ.

John 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 14:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.

Do You Believe in the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ?

It is free to make Christ your Savior, and doing so brings you eternal blessings and inheritance. But rejecting Him brings you eternal judgment. I encourage you to reason with all the above details regarding the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ; and then answer this question: what is delaying your decision to believe in Him? 

All the above are true experience of the believers in Jesus Christ. But those who do not believe have no hope in Him. So, if you are reading this now, and you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord, it is important for you to make that decision right now!

Admit your sins against the Holy God. Repent and believe with your heart that Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for your sin. He was buried and He rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). If you sincerely believe this, you will be saved!

God will give you eternal life and the power of resurrection will indwell you, ensuring your own future resurrection. You will begin enjoying the victory and the peace that are in Christ.

Conclusion

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a historical event that cannot be ignored. God ordained it for the purpose of reconciling us (sinners) to Himself (1 Corinthians 5:19). When Christ rose from the dead, He completed the work of our redemption. And those who believe in Him receive the benefits that I discussed above and more.

Just like the Bible says in Colossians 3, if the resurrection truly has the above impact on our lives, we believers ought to live the life that reflects the characters and commandments of the risen Christ. We must allow the power of the resurrection influence our daily decisions, witnessing, and ways of life.

Furthermore, our identity in Christ places us far above the trials and tribulations of this life. We may feel some pain, but we also can look forward to a future without pain and suffering.

So, how does the hope of eternal life change your daily struggles? What areas of your life need to be renewed by the power of the risen Christ?

Looking Ahead

If Christ truly resurrected, which He did, then all the other things He said must be true. Which also means He is coming back again. Good news for the believers, but not for the unbelievers. Therefore, the most important question for you today is: do you believe? And I hope you do.

Thank you for reading!