Is Jesus dead?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Prophecies surrounding Jesus existed even in Old Testament passages of Scripture such as Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53, and some scholars believe that these indirectly hint at His resurrection, too. Mark 10:33–34 is one of the most vivid prophetic descriptions of Jesus’ death and resurrection, spoken from the mouth of Jesus Himself to His disciples. Jesus' resurrection was no mere legend, either. First Corinthians 15:3-7 states that Jesus appeared to more than five hundred men at one time post-resurrection, and that’s besides His followers who saw Him the day He was resurrected (Luke 24:36-49). Jesus is distinguished as God when compared to other historical and biblical heroes, because He alone conquered death (1 Corinthians 15:55). Even today, Jesus is very much alive in heaven making intercessions on behalf of the sons and daughters of God (Hebrews 7:25).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Jesus' death, burial, and some scholars believe His resurrection were prophesied about in Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• In Mark 10:33–34, Jesus speaks of His resurrection, making it clear that although He will be killed, “‘after three days he will rise.’" Jesus is risen and is alive.
• After Jesus’ resurrection, He appeared to His disciples and proved to them that He was not a spiritual being, but a physical one with flesh and blood. His body was fully alive; the resurrection had undeniably taken place (Luke 24:36-49).
• Following His resurrection from the dead, Jesus spent forty more days on the earth, during which time he was seen by over five hundred people (1 Corinthians 15:3-7).
• While other religious leaders have all died and been buried, only Jesus has paid for the sins of the world by His death and subsequently been raised back to life. Jesus conquered death (1 Corinthians 15:55), and because of Him, we can have confidence that when we place our faith in Him, we will experience our own resurrection.
• Part of Jesus’ very active ministry in heaven is interceding to God the Father on our behalf (Hebrews 7:25).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Jesus is not dead; He is seated at the right hand of God in heaven. Because Jesus is a member of the Trinity, He is God. He has always existed and always will (John 1:1-5; 8:58). He was God incarnate on the earth: fully God and fully human (Philippians 2:5-8), crucified for claiming to be God (John 5:18; 10:33), and by this sacrifice made provision for the sins of the whole world to be forgiven (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 John 2:2). In Mark 9:31, Jesus tells His disciples about His resurrection from the dead before it even happened, saying, “‘The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.’” After His resurrection, He blessed His disciples and ascended into heaven (Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9-11). He now resides in heaven at the right hand of the Father: "After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high" (Hebrews 1:3). Jesus was alive after being resurrected, and He is still alive today. Because of this we, as believers, have hope that when our earthly bodies pass away, we, too, will be resurrected into an eternal life with Him (John 3:16-18; 14:19)

UNDERSTAND

• Jesus was crucified, resurrected, and is alive today.
• More than five hundred people witnessed the resurrected Jesus.
• Christ makes intercession to the Father on our behalf.

REFLECT

• How does knowing that Jesus is alive today and is intervening for you with the Father impact your faith?
• How does the fact that Jesus conquered death impact your approach to life’s challenges?
• When you share details about Jesus’ life with others, what emphasis do you put on His resurrection?

ENGAGE

• Christianity is based on serving a risen Lord. How might believers use that message when witnessing to those of other faiths?
• How has Jesus’ resurrection impacted history?
• What message of hope can believers give the world by highlighting that Jesus is not dead but alive?