The Resurrection of Jesus
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the foundation of the Christian faith. The thing that separates Christianity from other religions is the resurrection. So many times people ask how we know that Christianity is the one true religion? And the answer is the resurrection of Jesus. Christ came back from the dead. You can believe what He says. And He says that He is the only way to the Father.
The resurrection means that Jesus, crucified on a cross and buried in a tomb, came back to life three days later. He was raised from the dead by God the Father, to prove that He was and is the Son of God and that salvation has been accomplished for all of His people. Anyone who puts their trust in Jesus Christ will be saved. And we know this without a doubt because the resurrection validates all of Jesus’ claims. He claimed to be divine. He claimed to be the Savior of the world. And His claims are true.
Jesus told Martha in John 11, “I am the resurrection and the life.” He not only was raised from the dead, but He Himself is the resurrection. In other words, by believing in Him, focusing on Him, loving Him, we will be raised from the dead ourselves (John 5:28-29). Jesus is the guarantee of our resurrection. It is in 1 Corinthians 15 that Paul says that Christ is the firstfruits of those who will be raised from the dead. That includes you and me if we are faithful and believe in Jesus.
Death is not the end for the believer. The resurrection of Jesus is something that you should believe and must believe. But you must believe that it happened for you. Decide to believe that He was raised from the dead for you. When you think about your salvation, think about the empty tomb.
Remember that Thomas became known as “doubting Thomas” because after the resurrection of Jesus, he wasn’t there when Christ appeared to His disciples. “Now Thomas, called the Twin, who was one of the twelve apostles, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore told him, We have seen the Lord. So he replied, Unless I see the print of the nails in His hands, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe. And after eight days Jesus’s disciples were again together, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were shut when Jesus appeared and He stood in their midst, and said, Peace to you! Then the Lord said to Thomas, Put your finger here, and behold My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Be believing, not unbelieving. And Thomas responded to Him, My Lord and my God! Jesus said to him, Thomas, you have believed because you have seen Me. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:24-29).
Notice that Jesus said, “blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Choosing to believe in the resurrection of Christ is the best decision you will ever make. Love Him, trust Him and trust in His resurrection. Know that He will bring you eternal life and will take you to heaven one day.
Dewayne Dunaway
