The resurrection of our Lord is a doctrine on which our faith stands or falls. It is therefore with good reason that the Apostles’ Creed gives it a fundamental place. The Scriptures have much to say on the subject, and a central passage to the discussion is 1 Corinthians 15. Verses 3-4 bear a close resemblance to the vocabulary of the Creed.
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,
The Scripture testifies in these verses and throughout the apostolic preaching that the cross and the resurrection are inseparable and essential elements of the redemptive work of Christ. However, we tend to make much more of Christmas than Easter. Of the birth of Jesus rather than his death and resurrection. Many more people believe in the birth of Jesus than in his bodily resurrection. Even Muslims affirm the virgin birth! But it is what follows his supernatural entry into the world that matters most to our faith!
The Resurrection of the Messiah Foretold
The resurrection of Christ fulfilled the Scriptures in some key passages of the OT (Ps 16:10, Is 52:13-53:10a). When the prophet Isaiah foretells of the Suffering Servant’s descendants, the only way for the promised Messiah to see his posterity is for him to rise from the dead after his shameful death for his people.
Jesus himself prophesied his resurrection many times as well. Jesus said it in direct and clear terms (Mk 8:31). He also predicted his resurrection in figurative language.
a. Jesus referred to the temple of his body, which he would destroy and rebuild in three days (Jn 2:19)
b. Jesus spoke of being in the belly of the earth for three days, as Jonah had been in the belly of the great fish (Mt12:39, 16:4).
The Unique Nature of Christ’s Resurrection
Christ’s resurrection was unique because:
1. He rose from the grave never to die again. Everyone else in Scripture who was brought back from the dead eventually died a second time, and their body faced corruption. Jesus’ body was the same but different.
One theologian put it this way:
Recognising the change in Jesus helps us see that while his resurrection was very much his restoration to life after his death on the cross, it was not him going back to his former mortal life. Rather, it was his going forward into the new and eternal life where the first physical creation is not only endorsed by God, but is also brought to its more-glorious goal (or telos).
2. By his resurrection, Jesus conquered the grave. The resurrection of Christ was a uniquely trinitarian work. The Scriptures attest to the fact that the Father raised Jesus from the dead (Ga 1:1), that the Spirit raised Jesus from the dead (1 Pe 3:18), and that Jesus raised himself from the dead (Jn 2:19, 10:18).
3. It furnishes proof that his atoning sacrifice on the cross has been accepted by the Father. When he cried out on the cross, “It is finished,” this wasn’t a weak wish, but a declaration of victory.
4. In 1 Corinthians 15:20, the Scripture calls our resurrected Lord the first fruit of an abundant harvest that will come at the end of the age when all those who belong to Christ will be raised from the dead at his second coming.
What if Christ Didn’t Rise
We must also consider the implications if Christ is not risen. Once again, we turn to 1 Corinthians 15, this time vv. 12-18.
In these verses, Paul is stating that if Christ is not risen,
1. Our faith is in vain.
2. We are still dead in our sins.
3. Those who have died in faith are lost.
4. We are of all men most to be pitied.
And why? Because if we have put our hopes in a dead Messiah, then we’ve wasted our lives. Liberal theologians who deny the resurrection offer no hope. They empty the gospel of its power and leave their followers with nothing. Because Jesus did not come primarily to be a teacher, nor to live an exemplary life of selfless love. Yes, he did these things, but he was so much more than that. Jesus was born to die. He came into the world to suffer the punishment we deserved. And his resurrection is paramount to our faith. If you discard it, you discard Christ.
Liar, Lunatic, or Lord
C.S. Lewis popularized the argument that when it comes to the identity of Jesus Christ, he was either a liar, a lunatic, or Lord.
- Liar: Meaning he knew he wasn’t God in the flesh, but he sought to convince his disciples over time that he was.
- Lunatic: Meaning that he was convinced that he was God in the flesh, but he wasn’t. What kind of person believes that they’re God when they’re not? Only a madman!
- Lord: Meaning that he believed himself to be God in the flesh because he was!
And yet, do the teachings and life of Jesus share the characteristics of those of a pathological liar? Or of a madman? Of course not! It would have been unthinkable for a first-century Jew to make claims of divinity. Second-temple Judaism’s strict monotheism made such a notion unthinkable. And Jesus not only made such claims, he also further claimed that he would rise from the dead to prove he was right in making them. And the religious leaders killed him for it!
Christ’s Post-Resurrection Appearances
Now, let’s consider the eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances. Both his apostles and his extended group of disciples saw Jesus in the flesh. In fact, in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, Paul gives a detailed list of those who saw Jesus after his resurrection, which included over 500 people. These men and women not only saw him, but they also went on to preach the risen Lord at great peril. In fact, many of them spilt their own blood proclaiming this truth. C.S. Lewis’ logic could be applied to them as well:
- Were they liars? Did they steal and hide the body and pull off the greatest deception the world has ever known? Who would die for such a lie?
- Were they crazy? Did they experience some kind of collective hallucination? This option is simply impossible. Clinical psychologists can attest to the fact that hallucinations are by definition something only one individual at a time can experience.
- Were they testifying to the risen Lord? This seems like the strongest logical deduction. These dear brothers and sisters had seen Jesus, had heard him issue the Great Commission, and were willing to give their lives in obedience to this command.
Christ’s Resurrection and the Believer’s Union with Christ
Romans 6:5 says, “For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.”
And this is true in every step of salvation. Our union with Christ in his resurrection ensures our…
- Justification, meaning that he declares us just before God (Ro 4:24b-25).
- Sanctification, meaning that he makes us progressively holy (Ro 6:4).
- Glorification, meaning that we will be made like him when we see him (1 Th 4:14, Ro 8:30).
Implications
Because Christ is risen…
1. We can have assurance of salvation. If you ever fear that you could lose your salvation, rest assured that the death and resurrection of Christ and your union with him form an unbreakable bond. Nothing can separate you from his love (Ro. 8:38-39, Jo. 10:28).
2. We can be confident that we will rise with him. Therefore, we can face death without fear. Some of us may fear the pain associated with a long, drawn-out death from some debilitating disease. But we have no fear of what awaits me beyond the grave (1 Co 2:9).
3. We mourn not like those who have no hope (1 Th. 4:13-14). When we stand by the grave of a loved one who has died in the Lord, we can derive comfort in knowing that our separation is temporary.
4. We have his resurrection power (Ph 3:10). And what is resurrection power? One seminary professor of mine defined it this way: “Victory in the midst of apparent defeat.” When we go through trials, we can be confident that we don’t suffer in vain. There’s a purpose to our pain. We may not have been promised a life free from trials, but we have been promised ultimate victory (1 Co 15:54-57).
5. We can have boldness in evangelism. Jesus promised, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Mt 16:18). We know this to be true because the gates of hell did not prevail over Christ because he defeated death and hell at the resurrection.
