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Happy Easter! Today is Easter Sunday, when our Lord Jesus Christ defeated the power of sin and death and rose again. Let us celebrate the resurrection of Jesus! As we study the meaning of the resurrection of Jesus Christ in more detailed ways, I pray that all of you would receive grace from God.
I believe that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are the two main truths of human salvation. Without the death of Jesus, in other words, without the crucifixion of Jesus, there would be no forgiveness of our sins, and Christianity would not exist. At the same time, without the resurrection, the crucifixion would not be the true accomplishment of the salvation.
Thankfully, as Jesus Christ became the first fruits of the resurrection, we too have been given the blessings of the resurrection. We will be resurrected, too. Hallelujah! So, Brothers and sisters, how important the resurrection of Jesus Christ is!
But, people in the world say that the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his resurrection after three days, scientifically, cannot happen. They say, “That doesn’t make sense. That’s ridiculous! That’s nonsense!”
Modern people tend to idolize science. They say, “Can you scientifically explain the virgin birth? Can you scientifically prove the splitting of the Red Sea, the falling of the walls of Jericho, or feeding five thousand men with five barley loaves and two fish? Explain it! Prove it! Then I will believe it.”
But, those things are facts. In particular, the resurrection of Jesus is not a fabricated story or legend. It is a clear historical fact.
1, The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a historical fact.
In Matthew 27:62-64, it says, “After Jesus died, the chief priests and Pharisees went to Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise.’ So, give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.”
So Pilate ordered the tomb to be made secure. But, Jesus came back to life. He came out of the tomb. People found the empty tomb! The tomb was empty! Hallelujah! The chief priests and elders, knowing this, paid the soldiers to spread the false story that Jesus’ disciples had stolen his body. This led to doubts even among some of Jesus’ followers.
But the resurrection of Jesus was not a manipulation by some of his followers, as the Jews claimed; it was an indisputable historical fact. 1 Corinthians 15:4-7, it says, “He was buried, and he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.”
After his resurrection, Jesus remained on earth for forty days, appearing to many people, who witnessed and experienced his presence. There are many objective evidences supporting the resurrection. It is a historical fact proven even to unbelievers. If there was no resurrection, how could there have been an event where he ascended into heaven on a cloud? His crucifixion, death, and resurrection are historical facts.
2, The resurrection of Jesus is the fulfillment of prophecy.
In Matthew 17:22-23, Jesus told his disciples, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life.” Jesus prophesied his death on the cross and resurrection three days later.
Similarly, in John 2:19-21, Jesus said, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” He was referring to his body as the temple, prophesying again that he would rise in three days.
So, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of prophecy.
3, The resurrection of Jesus Christ is an event of victory.
It is a triumph over sin, death, and the power of Satan. Sin brought physical and spiritual death. The cause of all diseases and problems is sin. There is no one without sin. We are all sinners.
Because of sin, people fail, suffer, get sick, and die. But, Jesus broke the power of sin and triumphed over it through His resurrection. In 1 Corinthians 15:17, it says, “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.” This means that through the resurrection of Jesus, we have victory over sin.
Not only that, Jesus also triumphed over death. Of course, there have been people who died and came back to life before, but they died again. But, Jesus rose from the dead, ascended to heaven, showing that death no longer has power over Him.
He also defeated the power of Satan. In Luke 4:6, Satan has the ability to rule the world, using cunning schemes and miracles to deceive people, lead them away from God, and make them worship him. Jesus destroyed this evil power of Satan and achieved victory. True victory is not achieving wealth, fame, or power in this world but overcoming sin, death, and the schemes of Satan. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is such an eternal victory.
4, Brothers and sisters, let’s believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
(The audio recording of this sermon will be uploaded here after the Sunday service.)
In John 11:25-26, Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” This statement means that those who accept and believe in Jesus as their Savior will also be resurrected like Jesus.
In 1 Corinthians 15:20, the apostle Paul said, “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” In 1 Corinthians 15:21, it says, “For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man.” These verses mean that just as all people became sinners and died because of Adam, all those who believe in Jesus Christ will also be resurrected because of His resurrection.
Yes, we will die, but we will also be resurrected. We will be resurrected as spiritual bodies transcending time and space. This resurrection is only possible for those who accept the resurrected Jesus and live with Him. Brothers and sisters, let us in the resurrection of Jesus! Through believing in the resurrection of Jesus, we can overcome sin, death, and the power of Satan and to be victorious in all things.
Let us pray.
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