If we say that Jesus is resurrected, it means He died. There is no resurrection without a preceding death. Not only was Jesus raised to life, but He was raised bodily. (Lk. 24:36-43)

He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?  Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

Luke 24:38-39 NIV

Without Jesus’ resurrection…

The church may never have been established. The scripture tells us how terrified the disciples became after Jesus was arrested. Peter –on whose back the church was to be built –had denied Jesus and other disciples were scattered all around (Lk. 22:54-62; Mk. 14:50; Matt. 26:31). But on resurrection day, their hope was renewed. Their Master had been raised to life, just as He said. The disciples could assemble themselves, witness to others and thereby build the church because Jesus rose to life again. 

It is bizarre to assume that they were spreading a lie. Out of 500 people, at least two persons would have found the lie exhausting. Out of the 11, at least one person would have found it outrageous to die for a lie. 

There are many things we haven’t seen but believe based on the account of witnesses. In 1 Corinthians 15: 5-8, we are told that there were at least 510 witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Mary Magdalene, Peter, and John saw the empty tomb and Jesus also appeared bodily to them and over 500 others, who lived to give account to others. There are witnesses to the resurrected Christ, and on their account, by faith, we believe. (Jn. 20:1-18)

Both the apostles and Jesus himself would have been made to be liars. It would have meant what Jesus said in John 2:19 and Matthew 17:22 was just a bluff. It would have meant he couldn’t fulfill His promise of never leaving or forsaking us (Heb. 13:5).

We would have been most pitiable (1 Cor. 15:19). If our hope could only last us through this world, we would have gained nothing…not even redemption from our sins. Imagine going through all this world’s troubles and having nothing to look forward to. 

If Jesus was not raised to life, it means death overpowered Him, if so, He is not God and did not offer a complete sacrifice and we are therefore still in our sins. If Jesus did not rise from the dead, it would mean He is unable to save. The dead would have also been lost forever, making our sorrow very much justified. If Jesus did not rise from the dead, every other thing is false and our faith is futile. (1 Cor. 15: 12-19)

But glory to God because Christ did in fact die and was raised to life (1 Cor. 15:20). Our hope is not misplaced. There is something to look forward to beyond this life. The first thing Jesus’ resurrection did for us was to renew our hope. 

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The significance

The death of Jesus brought us redemption. We were bought back from the hands of sin. But His resurrection brought us justification (Rom. 4:25). We became justified, made blameless before God because Jesus was raised to life. The gospel of His death tells us our old selves died. The gospel of His resurrection tells us we now have a new life. You became a new creature the day you accepted Jesus and believed in His death and resurrection (2 Cor. 5:17). All your sins were forgiven but more than that, you were vindicated before God. 

He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

Romans 4:25 NIV

Because Jesus rose from the dead, we have the hope that the dead in Him will also rise (1 Cor. 15: 12-13; 20-23). Paul tells us not to mourn like the unbelievers because we have something comforting to hold on to; we will one day be reunited (1 Thess. 4:13-14). Jesus resurrected, and we will also resurrect and live in glorified bodies. We experienced a foreshadowing of this by the new nature we received the day we became born again. But the real deal is what we get at the second coming of Christ. 

He is alive, hence we have complete and overwhelming victory. Death where is thy sting? Grave, where is your victory? (1 Cor. 15:55) That we have victory over death does not mean a believer will not die. It is still a phase every believer will pass through. But as the scripture says in 1 Corinthians 15: 54, the corruptible is clothed with the incorruptible. 

This corruptible body must give way for the incorruptible to emerge. Death is the final enemy to be conquered but we already have victory through Jesus. Just as He died but was raised to life in a new, incorruptible body, we will enjoy the same thing. In these new bodies, we can inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Cor. 15:50)

Jesus is alive to make intercession for us (Rom. 8:34). The scripture tells us that we have a high priest who understands us. Who else can make intercession for us better than someone who understands us and experienced all that we experienced and still came out blameless? We are told that He was tempted in every form but sinned not. He pleads with God on our behalf, for His own sake. 

Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
Romans 8:34 NIV

Finally, Jesus’ resurrection gives us hope of His return. I’m not sure how true this is but I read somewhere that in Jewish culture, leaving your folded clothes behind signifies that you will be back. 

Jesus Christ will be back for His believing saints. He has fulfilled all His promises and will fulfill this one as well. Contrary to popular opinion, there is no reason to fear the return of the Lord…at least if you’re a believer. It is something we should all look forward to. (Jn. 14:3; Heb. 9:28)

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“…An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,

Because He lives, all fear is gone;

Because I know He holds the future,

And life is worth the living,

Just because He lives!”

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Everyone who believes in Jesus receives this hope. To live, you must accept the life of Christ. If you would love to do so, please say this prayer: Dear Jesus, I thank you for dying for my sins and for your resurrection that brought me justification. Today I believe in you and accept your life. I live as one whom you saved. Amen.