Why is it so important that Jesus rose from the dead?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Jesus’ resurrection is central to the Christian faith because it proves He is fully God and fully man, validating His claims throughout His ministry. It fulfills Old Testament prophecies in Psalm 16 and Isaiah 53, showing that His suffering and return to life were part of God’s redemptive plan. By rising from the dead, Jesus conquered death, giving believers the hope of eternal life and the assurance of salvation (1 Corinthians 15:20-22; 2 Timothy 1:10). His resurrection confirms our justification before God, declaring us righteous when we put faith in Him (Romans 4:25, 5:1). It also assures us of the strength and peace we have that the same power that raised Jesus now lives in believers through the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:11). Beyond proof of divinity, the resurrection ensures Jesus’ ongoing intercession on our behalf before God (Hebrews 7:25). Without His resurrection, our faith would be empty, but because He lives, we have hope, redemption, and the promise of eternal life (1 Corinthians 15:19). The resurrection changes everything both now and for eternity.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Psalm 16:10-11 says, “For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Many believe that this is a prophecy speaking of Jesus' resurrection. Although He experienced immeasurable suffering, He ultimately returned to His Father.
• Isaiah 53 is clearly a Messianic prophecy that speaks of Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins. His suffering preceded His later resurrection.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Throughout Jesus' life, He claimed to be God. His death and resurrection confirms His claims that He was and is God (John 8:58; Matthew 27:63; 28:6).
• An important aspect of the resurrection is that it was prophesied before it was fulfilled. Jesus prophesied His own death and resurrection in the Gospels (Mark 8:31). This demonstrates that Jesus knew about His divinity as God's Son and His destiny to save mankind by conquering death.
• Christianity rests on the truth of Christ’s resurrection. The apostle Paul noted this when he wrote, “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied” (1 Corinthians 15:17-19).
• We cannot place our faith in a Savior who is dead, which is why Jesus rose from the dead to give us hope in this life (John 10:28).
• Romans 4:25 confirms this, saying, "He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification" (NIV).
• Jesus gave us hope for our future and faith for the redemption of our sins. Jesus conquered death and that His power also lives in us through the Holy Spirit, who leads our spirits (Romans 8:11).
• We have a living Savior who died to take our deserved punishment. Justification means that God declares us righteous once we repent and put our faith in Jesus' work on the cross. We could not have justification if Jesus remained in His grave (2 Corinthians 5:21).
• At this time, Christ is an intercessor for believers between our sinful nature and God's holiness (Hebrews 7:25).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Jesus arising from the dead is fundamental to Christianity. First Corinthians 15 is a great testament to the importance of His resurrection. He not only rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:20), but He cleared the way for all who believe in Him (1 Corinthians 15:22-23). Our faith is meaningless and in vain if Jesus remained in His tomb (1 Corinthians 15:17). Jesus prophesied His own death and resurrection, and then He sealed His promises by accomplishing those two things. Christ rising from death is just as important to the Christian faith as the virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18, 25; Luke 1:27), the deity of Christ (1 John 4:15, 5:5; John 10:30), and Christ atoning for our sins (Romans 5:10-11; 2 Corinthians 5:21). It is vital to our faith in Christ to acknowledge Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.

Jesus rising from the dead transforms how we live today and our hope for tomorrow.

Because He conquered death, we can face trials, suffering, and even the reality of mortality with confidence that nothing can separate us from God’s love (Romans 8:38-39) and that His plans for us are best. The resurrection empowers us to live boldly for Christ, knowing that He is who He said He is, that our sins are forgiven, and that our future is secure. The resurrection calls us to live out our faith, inspiring us to share the hope of Christ with others and to embody His love in our everyday actions. It reassures us that death is not the end, and that our lives have eternal significance. In essence, Jesus’ victory over the grave is not just a historical event—it is a present, living reality that shapes every aspect of our lives.

UNDERSTAND

• Jesus’ resurrection proves He is fully God and fully man and that He conquered sin and death.
• Jesus’ resurrection secures salvation and eternal life for all who trust in Him.
• Jesus’ resurrection empowers and transforms how we live today and for eternity.

REFLECT

• How does knowing that Jesus conquered death affect the way you face challenges or fears in your life?
• How does the reality of Jesus’ resurrection strengthen your faith and assurance of salvation?
• How do you live differently today knowing that Jesus’ victory over the grave gives your life eternal significance and hope for eternity?

ENGAGE

• How does Jesus’ resurrection confirm His identity as fully God and fully man, and why is that important for our faith?
• In what ways does the resurrection shape how we should live, share hope, and interact with others?
• How does the promise of eternal life through Jesus’ resurrection influence our perspective on suffering, death, and difficulty?