The resurrection is the cornerstone of Christianity.  May meditating on its implications encourage you!

1. Jesus was declared to be the Son of God in power… by His resurrection from the dead.  Romans 1:4

“…concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord…”

2. Jesus’ resurrection proves the truthfulness of His words because he had predicted it. Mark 9:31; Mt 16:21 

“He was teaching his disciples, saying to them, ‘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.’” Mark 9:31.  Therefore, we can completely trust his word.

3. Jesus’ resurrection establishes the Lordship of Christ over all things.  Ephesians 1:19-23; Phil 2:9-11

God “raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come.  And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church,…” Ephesians 1:20-22. 

4. Jesus’ resurrection proves that he defeated sin and death.  1 Corinthians 15:54-57

“Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?  The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  

5. Jesus’ resurrection secured our justification and peace with God.  Romans 4:24-5:1

Abraham’s faith was counted to him as righteousness (Rom 4:22).  And “It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 

6. Jesus’ resurrection secures our forgiveness and salvation.  1 Corinthians 15:16ff

If there is no resurrection, then our faith is in vain and we are still in our sins, we have no hope, no eternal life, and are to be pitied for believing.  But in fact, Christ has been raised.  We have not believed in vain.  The resurrection proves God accepted His sacrifice.  There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Why? Because our debts have been paid in full (Col 3:13-15). 

7. Through Jesus’ resurrection we are born again to a living hope.  1 Peter 1:3-5  

“According to His great mercy, [God] has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading…”  This hope is living, real, and secure because it’s based on the reality of the resurrection.  Since Christ has defeated death we share in His new life now, and we have the confident hope of sharing in His life in the future.  Even as we face the sufferings and trials of this life – our hope for the future rests secure in Christ. 

8.  Jesus’ resurrection secures our sanctification.  Romans 6:4-14; 2 Cor 5:14-17

“We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”  “Our old self was crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.” (Rom 6:6).  We too must consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus (Rom 6:11). Christ’s love compels us.  He died “that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.” (2 Cor 5:15).

9. Jesus’ resurrection secures our immortal, resurrection bodies. 1 Cor 15:42ff; Rom 8:11 

Christ is the firstfruits of our own resurrection (1 Cor 15:20-21).  His resurrection is the promise of God that we will be raised with Christ in glory (Rom 8:11-18).  The one who raised Jesus will give life to our mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in us (Rom 8:11). “And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power.” 1 Corinthians 6:14.  

10.  Jesus’ resurrection secures His intercession for us.  Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25

Jesus is always pleading our cause.  “Who is to condemn?  Christ Jesus is the one who died – more than that, who was raised – who is at the right hand of God, who is interceding for us.”  (Rom 8:34).  Because Christ lives, He “holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever.  Consequently, 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.” (Hebrews 7:24-25).  In both places, Christ’s intercession is tied to the assurance of our salvation.  This also opens the way for us to pray confidently before God! (Hebrews 10:19-22; 4:14-16)

11. Jesus’ resurrection supplies boldness and perseverance in sharing the gospel.  2 Corinthians 4:14

“Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, ‘I believed, and so I spoke,’ we also believe, and so we speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jeus and bring us with you into his presence.”  This knowledge gave them confidence to proclaim the gospel in the face of persecution and opposition.  “So we do not lose heart…. For this slight and momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, …” (2 Cor 4:16-18).  The reality of the resurrection made Peter, John, and others bold and unashamed in proclaiming the gospel.  Without the resurrection then all “preaching is in vain” ( 1 Cor 15:14). 

12. Jesus’ resurrection ensures that our labors in the Lord are not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58

Paul concludes his lengthy teaching on the resurrection by reminding the Corinthians what we do for Christ here matters into eternity.  Since Christ was raised from the dead and we will also be raised from the dead, we should continue steadfastly in the Lord’s work.  Everything we do to build up the kingdom of God will have eternal significance!  “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”

13. Jesus resurrection secures the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.  John 16:7ff; Luke 24:49

“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you.  But if I go, I will send him to you.”  Jesus resurrection and His ascension to heaven secures the sending of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit regenerates, gives life, convicts, leads, guides, gives spiritual gifts, overcomes sin, cares for, encourages, comforts, strengthens, and empowers the people of God.  There is no church without the Holy Spirit and no Holy Spirit without the resurrection.

14. Jesus’ resurrection enables eternal perspective in this life.  1 Corinthians 15:17-19; Col 3:1-4

We set our hope, not on this world, but the one to come (2 Cor 4:16-18ff; Romans 8:17ff).  The hope of our own glorious resurrection that is to come gives us an unshakeable joy in the midst of the pain and persecution we face in this life.  If in this life only we hope in Christ, we are most to be pitied, because it would mean that all our suffering for Christ’s sake will have been in vain.  However, since the resurrection is real, then all our sacrifices for Christ’s sake will NOT be in vain, but will be well rewarded. 

15. Jesus’ resurrection gives the assurance of Christ’s coming judgment! Acts 17:31

“The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”  This testimony is “to all” – by the resurrection God has given assurance to all people that a day of judgment is coming and all need to repent of their sins and put their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation.