According to the Bible, Jesus was resurrected three days after his death. The Bible implies that Jesus’ resurrection had a deeper meaning, and believers hold on to the message he left, to go and make disciples and teach his Word. So what can we learn from Jesus’ resurrection?
There are many lessons to learn from Jesus’ resurrection, but believers focus on the most important one, being that Jesus defeated death. Although the wages of sin is death, it could not hold Jesus. Believers understand that his death justified them with Christ and gave them eternal life.
What does the resurrection of Jesus mean to Christians? Is the story of Jesus’ resurrection a myth? And if not, what lessons can Christians learn from it? Let’s talk about the answers to these questions with evidence from the Bible.
What does Jesus’ resurrection mean for Christians?
The resurrection of Jesus is considered a significant event that gives hope to many believers. So what is the meaning of this event to Christians?
Jesus defeated death
Romans 6:23 implies that death is the ultimate punishment for sin. To date, nobody can escape death. Yet Jesus rose from the dead because, according to Acts 2:24, death could not hold him. This is why the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:55-56 implies, “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Christ is the Son of God
If Jesus died and remained in the grave, his claims about being the Son of Man would not have mattered. Since the Bible suggests that he rose from the dead, Christians have reason to rejoice. He did not stay buried like other people who died before him and others who died afterward (Romans 1:4).
Believers are justified before God.
Romans 4:25 suggests that Christ was raised back to life for our justification. Justification implies being put right with God. Believers understand that Jesus died on the cross to save them from sin, and when he was resurrected, they were allowed to have the right relationship with God.
Christians are united with Christ.
Since Jesus died to save humankind, 2 Corinthians 4:14 suggests Christians are united to Christ by faith. Theologians imply that when God looks at believers, he only sees their righteousness because they died with him and now live uprightly with him (Romans 6:8).
Why is the resurrection of Jesus important and significant?
The resurrection of Jesus is very significant to believers because it demonstrates the power that God has. Surely there is nobody as powerful as God who could raise a man from the dead and have him ascend to heaven! It is also important because it validates who Jesus said he was, the Son of God. Not only this, but also that if Christians believe in him, they will be freed from sin and have eternal life.
Additionally, the resurrection of Jesus is significant because it confirms what was written in the Old Testament about Jesus’ suffering and final resurrection. Had Jesus not been resurrected, then it would mean believers have no savior, and there would be no hope for eternal life (1 Corinthians 15:14-19).
5 lessons we can learn from the resurrection of Jesus
The reality of the resurrection
To learn from it, believers must first understand the reality of the event. The four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John all implied that Jesus died, was buried, and resurrected after 3 days as had been prophesied. The Bible suggests in Acts 4:3 that the apostles were preaching with the resurrection as their theme.
Christians are saved from sin.
The Bible says that Christ died so that our sins would be forgiven. Thanks to his resurrection, believers understand that they were saved. His resurrection was God’s divine plan for redemption. Christians cannot just believe in God’s crucifixion but also his resurrection. This is why Romans 10:9-10 implies, If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
Assurance
Christians can now stay confident, knowing that just as Jesus resurrected from the dead, so will they die and rise again. This means that the grave has no victory, and Christians have no need to fear death anymore (1 Corinthians 15:55-57). The lesson many acquire from this is that the grave is not the final destination. Even Jesus told his disciples that he would prepare a place for them before coming back to take them there (John 14:1-3). So Christians should live knowing that the struggles they encounter now will be forgotten in the glory days ahead.
Jesus was validated
Many doubted him according to the scriptures. Despite performing many signs and wonders, people still questioned his validity. So when he died and rose from the dead, all he had been claiming became true. He had claimed to be the Son of God, and many laughed him off, saying that his father was a carpenter. So how do you explain his resurrection, then?
The scriptures are true.
Christ’s resurrection was prophesied in various scriptures and by many prophets. When he died and rose from the dead as was prophesied, it proved that the scriptures are genuine. Many people today question the Word and its contents, but as believers, we have been able to understand the Word and make good use of it. Sometimes men have misunderstood the Word or used it to their advantage wrongly, but believers know what truth comes from the scriptures.
Is the story of Jesus’ resurrection a myth?
According to religious scholars, the story of Jesus’ resurrection is not a myth, nor is it made up. The story was told in the scriptures, and disciples, as well as believers present, were witnesses to this event. Additionally, we see in the scriptures how some witnesses were allowed to touch him and confirm that truly it was him (Matthew 28:9). All these revelations indicate that to understand the resurrection story as a reality. Not a myth, believers should have faith.
Why do some people not believe that Jesus was resurrected?
The resurrection of Jesus could only make sense to people who understand the power of God. The whole understanding of a Supreme only makes sense to believers who have faith and trust in Him.
The story of his resurrection is also unbelievable to many, considering that he presented himself to only a few people. The Bible implies that he appeared to Mary Magdalene, other women, two disciples, Peter, and the other eleven disciples. Then he showed himself to more than five hundred people simultaneously (1 Corinthians 15:6-8).
He could have chosen to appear to many others, but this is not what salvation is all about. It is not a product that needs to be learned with the help of historical evidence. Instead, salvation is believed to be a gift of grace through faith. According to Ephesians 2:8-9, it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works so that no one can boast.
Jesus intended that believers would understand the scripture and lead them to believe in it. Because faith comes from hearing the Word (Romans 10:17), believers who read and stay united with other believers will understand the power in the name of Jesus. For those who have no faith, the resurrection of Jesus will remain just a made-up story to them.
References
- Why didn’t Jesus appear to more people after His resurrection?
- The Meaning of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ
- What Does Resurrection Mean?
- Why is the resurrection of Jesus Christ important?
- Don Stewart: What Objections Have Been Made to the Resurrection?
- The Resurrection of Jesus Christ – Lesson 8
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.