The Significance of Jesus’ Resurrection: Why It Matters Today

From the heart of Dr. R. L. Taylor, Th.D., Bible Teacher & Expositor. The resurrection of Jesus is the main historical event in the Christian faith. Without the resurrection there would be no Christianity. Apostle Paul teaches, “But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain” (1 Corinthians 15:13-14). I am a Christian because I believe in the resurrection! I am fully persuaded that after being brutally murdered on a Roman cross on a Friday afternoon in 30 A.D., Jesus of Nazareth came back to life and emerged from the tomb on Sunday morning. For this reason, it is the most pivotal event in human history! My hope is that you’ll weigh the evidence yourself. The first generation of Jesus’ followers believed He had risen and were convinced that everything had changed as a result. Let’s briefly consider just a few ways the Bible emphasizes the significance of Jesus’ resurrection. First, the resurrection of Jesus means that His sacrificial death on the cross was sufficient, and therefore our sins can be forgiven. Paul teaches, “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Later, Paul argues that “if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:17). In other words, Paul saw a direct connection between the resurrection of Jesus and the sufficiency of His death to atone for our sins. The resurrection of Jesus was the public announcement that God was fully satisfied with the sacrificial death of His Son. In His resurrection, Jesus was vindicated (1 Timothy 3:16). However, in His vindication, we who believe are vindicated too! Next, Jesus’ resurrection means that death is defeated once and for all. Apostle Peter proclaimed, “God raised [Jesus] from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him” (Acts 2:24). Death lost its grip on Jesus! But the resurrection means that Jesus not only defeated death for Himself, but that He defeated it for us. He died and rose as a new representative for humanity, as the Second Adam. Paul teaches, “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a Man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:20-22). The empty tomb assures us that sickness and suffering, death and disease will not have the final say. Praise Jesus forevermore! Be encouraged!