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Is Jesus alive?

Is Jesus alive?
God Son

TL;DR:

Jesus is alive—His resurrection proves that sin and death have been defeated, and His sacrifice was fully accepted by the Father. Jesus now reigns at God’s right hand, interceding for believers and will one day return in glory.

what does the bible say?

Jesus is alive—His resurrection proves that sin and death have been defeated and that His sacrifice was fully accepted by the Father (Romans 4:25; 1 Corinthians 15:17). He rose bodily three days after His crucifixion, appearing to hundreds and demonstrating He was truly alive (Luke 24:39–43; 1 Corinthians 15:5–8). After forty days, He ascended into heaven, promising to return in the same way He left (Acts 1:9–11; Luke 24:50–51). Today, Jesus reigns at God’s right hand, actively interceding for believers and securing salvation for all who trust in Him (Hebrews 1:3; 7:25). His resurrection validates our hope of eternal life and affirms that death no longer has ultimate power (1 Corinthians 15:54–57; Romans 6:9). Because Jesus is alive, His followers can face suffering, uncertainty, and death with confidence and live in the reality of His ongoing presence and power(John 6:37; Revelation 1:18) and awaiting His glorious return (1 Corinthians 15:20–23; Acts 1:11).

from the old testament

  • Jesus being alive is not mentioned in the Old Testament.

from the new testament

  • Jesus' resurrection is evidence that God's wrath has been paid in full, breaking death’s power (1 Corinthians 15:54–57; Hebrews 2:14). Indeed, the believer’s hope of a future resurrection rests on the fact that Jesus rose first (Romans 4:25; 1 Corinthians 15:20–23).
  • After He was resurrected, He remained on Earth for another forty days (Acts 1:3). His disciples interacted with Him(John 20:19–20) and hundreds of others saw Him (1 Corinthians 15:5–8). Even His enemies, the Jewish leaders, couldn’t account for His empty tomb, so they concocted a lie that His body had been stolen (Matthew 28:11–15). His resurrection was not a secret one, but quite well known.
  • During some of Christ's appearances, He proved He was physically present by eating (Luke 24:42–43; John 21:12–13), showing His wounds, and inviting the disciples to touch them (Luke 24:39).
  • At the end of the forty days, He then ascended into heaven (Luke 24:50–51). Two angels told the onlooking disciples, “This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11b). This implied that Jesus would return in the clouds and physically return, still alive in the body in which they saw Him leave.
  • Jesus is now alive in heaven. He is sitting at the right hand of the Father (Hebrews 1:3; Ephesians 1:20–22), which is the seat of power, meaning He is actively reigning. In His vision to John, Jesus said, “I died, and behold I am alive forevermore,” meaning He will never die again (Revelation 1:18a).
  • While Christ reigns over all of creation, He specifically ministers on behalf of Christians and those whom the Father will save. Hebrews 7:25 says, “he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.”

implications for today

"Paid in full"—those words are nearly always welcome, and never more so than when it applies to our sin. Jesus' death paid for our sins in full. His resurrection proved that God's wrath had been satisfied.

In other words, our salvation—our resurrection hope—is contingent on Jesus being alive. Paul addressed this in 1 Corinthians 15:12–19, in response to those denying that Jesus had been resurrected. He rightly noted that if Jesus had not been resurrected, then "we are of all people most to be pitied" (1 Corinthians 15:19). However, Jesus did rise again and is alive now, reigning from Heaven and bringing all things to an end.

If you have not yet trusted in Jesus, then His sacrifice has not been applied to you. He is alive, but you will spend eternity separated from His goodness and grace, in torment because of that. Jesus has said that everyone who humbles themselves, repenting of sin and trusting in Him, He will never turn them away (John 6:37). He is reaching for you—don't ignore the invitation.

understand

  • Jesus rose from the dead in a physical body and is alive today.
  • Jesus' resurrection proves that His sacrifice for sin was accepted and that death has been defeated.
  • Jesus is alive, reigning at the Father’s right hand, interceding for believers, and will one day return.

reflect

  • How does Jesus being alive right now affect the way you face suffering, uncertainty, or even death?
  • How does the certainty of Jesus resurrection impact your everyday life?
  • How does the fact that Jesus is alive impact your faith?

engage

  • Why is the resurrection central to the Christian faith rather than just one important doctrine among many?
  • How can believers explain to others the importance of having a living Savior rather than just a religious figurehead (e.g., Buddha)?
  • How does the promise of Christ's return define the mission and hope of believers today?

More Resources

Son What is the significance of the resurrection of Jesus?

What is the significance of the resurrection of Jesus?

Jesus’ resurrection proves He is God’s Son who defeated sin and death and secured eternal life for all who trust in Him. The resurrection of Jesus is the turning point of history and of everyone who puts their trust in Him for the forgiveness of sins.
God’s Plan Is the death of Jesus Christ or His resurrection more important?

Is the death of Jesus Christ or His resurrection more important?

The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are equally important. Jesus’s death and resurrection fulfilled His role as the Messiah who came to save us from our sins and bring us life.
Son Why is the reality of the bodily resurrection of Jesus so central to the Christian faith?

Why is the reality of the bodily resurrection of Jesus so central to the Christian faith?

The bodily, physical resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the single most important event in world history because it proves He is who He said He is: the sinless Son of God. Through Jesus’ resurrection, believers can know they have eternal and abundant life.
End Times When will the resurrection occur?

When will the resurrection occur?

The Bible teaches two resurrections: one for believers and one for unbelievers, with very different outcomes. The reality of the resurrection calls us to respond to Christ and to live in a way that honors Him and makes Him known.