Why Jesus Had To Rise From The Dead

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1 Corinthians 15:17 "And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins."

1 Peter 1:3 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."

Think

N.T. Wright aptly says, “The resurrection is the decisive event demonstrating that God’s kingdom really has been launched on earth as it is in heaven.” The resurrection of Jesus is not just an extraordinary event; it’s the cornerstone of our faith. Without it, the entire Christian faith would collapse—our sins would remain unforgiven, and death would have the final word. But because Jesus rose from the grave, he proved that he had conquered both sin and death, offering us hope that is as unshakable as the empty tomb itself.

The resurrection is God’s definitive validation of Jesus’ sacrificial death. If Christ had stayed in the grave, it would have implied that his work on the cross was incomplete. But Romans 4:25 tells us, “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” The resurrection is like a divine stamp of approval—God’s way of saying that the debt of sin has been fully paid. It’s the ultimate receipt, assuring us that our sins are forgiven and that we stand justified before God.

Charles Spurgeon emphasized the transformative power of the resurrection, calling it “the keystone in the arch of our faith.” This power that brought Jesus back to life is the same power that now works in us, enabling real change and newness of life (Ephesians 1:19-20). Because Jesus lives, we are not trapped by sin’s power—we can walk in freedom and new life. It’s like being released from a dark prison into the light, where we can finally live the way we were meant to live, free and full of purpose.

Finally, the resurrection assures us of our own future resurrection and eternal life with Christ. This isn’t just a distant future hope; it transforms how we live now, giving us strength to endure and purpose in our daily lives. Knowing that Jesus has conquered death means that our story doesn’t end in the grave—it continues into eternity with him. This knowledge fills us with hope, courage, and a renewed sense of mission as we live out the reality of the resurrection daily.

Apply

Identify one area in your life where you need to experience resurrection power—whether it’s overcoming a particular sin, renewing your faith, or finding hope in a difficult situation. Write down a specific action you can take to invite God’s transformative power into that area. Pray and move!

Pray

Jesus, thank you for conquering death and rising from the grave, proving that you are the source of eternal life and hope. I’m grateful that your resurrection isn’t just a past event, but a present reality that can transform my life. Give me the strength to live in the victory you’ve already won. In Jesus’ name. Amen.