He is Risen!

Just as we considered the meaning of the cross of Christ on Good Friday, we now look to the Bible
to comprehend the meaning of the resurrection. When contemplating the cross and the resurrection,
we would do well to be reminded of our limitations. God said through the prophet Isaiah: For My
thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways; as the heavens are higher than the
earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9).
Humbling? Yes, but more importantly this is liberating. Those who trust in Christ benefit from what
He did on the cross and experience the power of the resurrection. But we experience Him not by
achievement nor by our intellect, but by the grace of God: for by grace are you saved through
faith (Ephesians 2:8). We experience Gods goodness and mercy by grace through faith. If we can
grow in our understanding of the infinite wisdom of God, this only enhances our appreciation of
Him. We can join the Apostle Paul in our praise to God by saying: How wide and long and high
and deep is the love of Christ (Ephesians 2:18). What does the Bible say about the resurrection?
The resurrection confirms the Lordship of Christ and authenticates Jesus as Messiah
o Peter said at Pentecost: God has raised this Jesus to life . . . God has made this
Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:32-36)
o Foretold by the prophet Isaiah: After the suffering of His soul, He will see the light
of life and be satisfied; by His knowledge, My righteous servant will justify many,
and He will bear their iniquities (Isaiah 53:11)
The resurrection affirms the obedience of Christ and rewards His faithfulness
o Jesus said to the two men walking to Emmaus who did not recognize Him: Did not
the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter His glory? (Luke 24:25-26)
o He became obedient to death even death on a cross - therefore God exalted
Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above every name (Phil 2:8-9)
The resurrection demonstrates Gods power over sin and death
o Death has been swallowed up in victory; Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting. . . . Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 15:54-55)
o Since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again . . . the death He
died, He died to sin once for all; but the life He lives, He lives for God (Rom 6:910)
The resurrection demonstrates Gods nature in overpowering evil with good
o We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him Christ who died was raised to life and is at the right hand of the Father (Rom
8:28-34)
The resurrection is the key event on which our faith in Christ is based
o Paul wrote: If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your
sins . . . we are to be pitied more than all men (I Corinthians 15:17-19)
o He was delivered over to death for our sins and raised to life for our
justification (Romans 4:25)
The resurrection becomes effective in the life of the believer
o Jesus said to Mary and Martha: I am the resurrection and the life; whoever
believes in me, though he dies, yet shall he live (John 11:25)
o Jesus said to the disciples: Because I live, you also will live (John 14:19)

o Just as Christ was raised from the dead . . . we too may live a new life (Rom 6:4)
o Once the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who
raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies (Rom 8:11)
The resurrection provides a glimpse of the eternal state of those who are in Christ
o We shall all be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is (I John 3:2)
o He will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body (Phil 3:21)