QUESTION:
WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST?
ANSWER:
When the Lord Jesus Christ resurrected from the dead, He was able to prove that all His claims are true – He is the Messiah and the Son of the Living God!
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ stands as the cornerstone of the Christian faith. It is the pivotal event that validates His identity as the Messiah and the Son of the Living God. Without the resurrection, the foundation of Christianity would crumble, leaving the faith void of its power and promise. As the Apostle Paul declared,
“And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty” (1 Corinthians 15:14).
If the Lord Jesus Christ never resurrected, He would be the greatest hoax humankind might have ever known. But because He rose from the dead, He sealed all His claims to be genuine and true. The empty tomb is not a symbol of defeat but of victory. It stands as the definitive proof that the Lord Jesus Christ is who He said He is: the Messiah, the Son of the Living God, and the Savior of the world.
The Resurrection Validates the Lord Jesus Christ’s Claims
When the religious leaders asked Jesus for a sign to prove His authority, He did not perform a spectacle to satisfy their unbelief. Instead, He pointed to a prophetic event that would validate everything He claimed—the resurrection.
In Matthew 12:38–40, some of the scribes and Pharisees said, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.” But Jesus answered:
“An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”
He gave a similar answer in John 2:18–21, when the Jews asked Him, “What sign do You show to us, since You do these things?” Jesus replied:
“Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?”
But He was speaking of the temple of His body.
Jesus foretold His resurrection as the definitive sign that would confirm everything He said. It wasn’t merely a prediction—it was a declaration that His identity, His authority, and His mission would be undeniably affirmed once He conquered death.
So when He rose from the grave, this miraculous act stood as the divine endorsement of every claim He made. Let us now examine what those claims are:
1. Jesus Is the Son of God
He claimed divine Sonship—a unique relationship with God the Father. John 5:18 tells us the Jews sought to kill Him because “He said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.”
His resurrection affirmed that He was not blaspheming. As Romans 1:4 declares, He was “declared to be the Son of God with power… by the resurrection from the dead.”
2. Jesus Is the Promised Messiah
The Jewish Scriptures foretold the suffering and resurrection of the Messiah. Isaiah 53, Psalm 16, and other prophecies were fulfilled in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. He told His disciples that “all things must be fulfilled which were written… concerning Me” (Luke 24:44). His resurrection proves that He is the Christ—the Anointed One sent by God.
3. Jesus Has Power Over Life and Death
Jesus boldly claimed that no one could take His life unless He laid it down, and He had power to take it up again (John 10:17–18). The resurrection is the demonstration of this power. Death could not hold Him. He is the Lord of life.
4. Jesus Is the Only Way to God
In John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” This exclusive claim hinges on His authority and divine nature. His resurrection confirms that He is indeed the one and only way to God—no other teacher, prophet, or religious leader has risen from the grave.
5. Jesus Will Judge the World
Jesus spoke of a day when all would stand before Him. This was not just symbolic—He claimed the authority of the final Judge. Acts 17:31 affirms, “[God] has appointed a day on which He will judge the world… by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”
6. Jesus Offers Eternal Life
Jesus promised eternal life to all who believe in Him. John 11:25 says, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” The fact that He rose from the dead is proof that His promise is real. He can—and will—give eternal life.
All these claims were radical. Many rejected them, others doubted, and some sought to kill Him because of them. But Jesus left no ambiguity—He told them ahead of time, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” And that’s exactly what He did.
The resurrection was not just the climax of His ministry—it was the fulfillment of the prophecy He gave about Himself. It sealed His identity, confirmed His mission, and validated His every word. Because He lives, everything He said stands eternally true.
Let every reader hear this clearly:
The resurrection proves that Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah, the Savior of the world, and the coming Judge and King.
And if He has proven Himself through His resurrection, the question now turns to us: Do we believe in the One who conquered death?
What Happened After the Resurrection?
The resurrection was not a private or hidden event. After rising from the dead, the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to many, providing indisputable proof that He was alive:
He first appeared to Mary Magdalene (John 20:11–18)
Then to the other women (Matthew 28:8–10)
Later to two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13–35)
He appeared to Peter (Luke 24:34)
To the disciples without Thomas (John 20:19–23)
Then to the disciples with Thomas present (John 20:26–29)
To seven disciples by the Sea of Tiberias (John 21:1–14)
In 1 Corinthians 15:6, Paul records that the Lord Jesus Christ “was seen by over five hundred brethren at once.” He also appeared to James and finally to all the apostles (1 Corinthians 15:7).
These post-resurrection appearances continued for forty days (Acts 1:3). During this time, He taught His disciples about the kingdom of God and gave them the Great Commission to preach the gospel to all nations (Matthew 28:18–20).
Finally, in Acts 1:9, the Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven while His disciples watched. Two angels appeared and declared that He would return in like manner (Acts 1:10–11).
Evidence That Jesus Actually Rose
The resurrection is not a myth or spiritual metaphor—it is a historical reality grounded in strong evidence, both biblical and extra-biblical. Here are some of the major proofs:
The Empty Tomb
The body of Jesus was never found. Even the Jewish and Roman authorities admitted that the tomb was empty. Theories about body theft collapse under scrutiny, especially with Roman guards stationed and a heavy stone sealing the tomb.Eyewitness Accounts
Jesus appeared alive to over 500 people after His resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3–8), including His disciples, Thomas who doubted, and even Paul who was a persecutor of the church.Transformed Disciples
Before the resurrection, the disciples were fearful and scattered. After encountering the risen Christ, they became bold preachers—even willing to die for their faith. No one dies for something they know is a lie.Early Christian Writings
The resurrection is at the heart of the earliest Christian preaching and creeds (Acts 2:32, Romans 10:9). The message spread rapidly across the Roman Empire despite persecution.Non-Biblical Historical References
Writers like Josephus (a Jewish historian), Tacitus (a Roman historian), and others mention Jesus, His crucifixion, and the claims of His resurrection. These accounts confirm that belief in a risen Jesus was not a legend developed centuries later but a widespread testimony from the beginning. (See also: “Is There Historical Evidence That Jesus Truly Existed?”)
The resurrection is not wishful thinking. It is a historical event that invites serious consideration from every honest seeker of truth.
The Resurrection’s Impact on Believers
The resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is not only a historical reality but also the foundation of spiritual blessings and hope for every believer.
1. Assurance of Salvation
The Lord Jesus Christ’s resurrection guarantees the believer’s justification. Romans 4:25 says He “was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.”
His resurrection is God’s confirmation that the sacrifice was accepted, and that eternal life is now available to all who believe.
We have this hope of salvation because our Redeemer lives. As Job declared with confidence, “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth” (Job 19:25).
2. Victory Over Death
Through His resurrection, the Lord Jesus Christ triumphed over death, offering believers the assurance of eternal life. 1 Corinthians 15:20 states, “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”
This victory over death is not symbolic; it is a literal promise of life beyond the grave.
3. Empowerment for Holy Living
Because the Lord Jesus Christ rose from the dead, believers are empowered to live transformed lives. Romans 6:4 tells us, “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
The resurrection power enables us to live righteously and in obedience.
4. Intercession on Our Behalf
The resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ position Him as our eternal intercessor. Romans 8:34 assures us, “It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.” Believers are never alone; the Lord Jesus Christ is continually advocating on our behalf.
5. Hope for Future Resurrection
The Lord Jesus Christ’s resurrection is a promise of our own future resurrection. 1 Thessalonians 4:14 says, “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.”
Because the Lord Jesus Christ rose from the dead, we are confident that we will see our loved ones who also believed in Him. At the resurrection, we will be reunited with them in eternal glory. This hope brings comfort and peace amid earthly sorrow, reminding us that death is not the end for those in Christ.
For further details see also: “What Are The Benefits of The Resurrection of Jesus Christ to His Believers?”
Final Thought: What Is It to You?
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not just a powerful event in history—it is God’s personal message to you.
If Jesus truly rose from the dead, then He is exactly who He said He is. He is alive. He is Lord. And He alone has the power to save you.
So let me ask you:
Do you believe that Jesus rose from the dead?
Do you believe He died on the cross to forgive you of your sins?
Do you believe that He can give you eternal life if you surrender your life to Him?
Do you believe that He has the power to change your life now and forever?
Then what should you do now?
It’s time to respond. Return to God. Believe in the risen Savior. Surrender your life to Him and receive the gift of eternal life.
See also: “How Can I Return to God?”
