Resurrection after crucifixion

The crucifixion is the pinnacle of Jesus Christ’s mission to the world, and the resurrection is the culmination. Allow me to hype my statement with an analogy of a swimmer competing in open water 5 km. race; reaching the finish line is the peak of the competition, while standing on the podium accepting the medal or a trophy is a culmination after a long preparation before the actual competition.

 Matthew 26:39 Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

The earthly ministry of Jesus Christ, from his teachings,  miracle works, sufferings, and crucifixion is well documented with little debate. However, a bunch of skeptics discrediting the resurrection of Jesus Christ is quite notable.. So, for what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

The Resurrection Sunday – Jesus Has Risen

Luke 24:1-7  On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ”

The significance of resurrection Sunday:

• The resurrection proves Jesus was who he said he was; Jesus was not the only person who claimed to be the Messiah. Jesus said that many would come claiming to be the one. Indeed, many people claimed to be the Son of God and some are still alive today. But, what sets Jesus apart from all the rest? Jesus’ foreknowledge of everything to happen in his earthly life, among others is the empty tomb.  Luke 9:22   And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” (rephrase from crosswalk.com article authored by Clarence L. Haynes, Jr.)

• The Resurrection was prophesied; Not only was the resurrection prophesied about in the Old Testament, but Jesus told his followers what would happen throughout his earthly ministry. Even so, after the crucifixion, no one believed he would return. It was later that the disciples realized that Jesus had prepared them all along for what would happen. Psalm 16:10  says “you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay.” Hosea 6:2 says “after two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence.” Matthew 20:17-19 And Jesus himself prophesied his resurrection. He took the Twelve aside and said to them, “We’re going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day, he will be raised to life!” (a clip from crosswalk.com article authored by Jennifer Heeren).

• The Resurrection proves eternal life;  Because of the resurrection, death lost its power and its sting. 1 Corinthians 15:55 Where, O, death is your victory? Where, O, death is your sting? Jesus lives to bring the glory of God to all who believe. He gives you hope and a future after death. This earthly life that we hold so dear is woefully short. Even one hundred years is nothing in the scheme of all history. But now we can look forward to life without end! We are living beyond the resurrection. We have seen how the world has changed since Jesus lived, died, and was raised. (rephrase from crosswalk.com article authored by Jennifer Heeren)

• The Resurrection proves faith is greater than seeing is believing; Jesus gave definitive proof of the resurrection by showing himself to many people afterward. He talked to people and let people touch him. He reminded them that this had all been prophesied. And people believed after they saw. People fell to their knees and called him their Lord and God. Yes, Jesus let them see the proof of his resurrection. But he also said, John 20:29 “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” We that live today have a special blessing over the original disciples. We haven’t seen with our eyes, but our heart knows the presence and love of Christ. (rephrase from crosswalk.com article authored by Jennifer Heeren)

• The resurrection is the seal of salvation on Christian faith; Christ died for our sins, was buried, and was raised on the third day. Then he appeared to many because he knew that sometimes humans must see to believe. Without the resurrection, there is no Christian faith. 1 Corinthians 15:17 If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. The resurrection perfected our salvation through faith in Jesus Christ who ascended to the Father in heaven. (rephrase from crosswalk.com article authored by Jennifer Heeren)