#12 Resurrection Power
- Lauren Wingert
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
Did Jesus rise from the dead? Does it matter? It seems like the Resurrection power of Christ is a hard thing to believe in. After all it happened more than 2000 years ago. Even one of Jesus apostles, Thomas had a hard time believing.
John 20:24-28
Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” ...
The Bible says Jesus appeared to many people after his death and resurrection. It was not something secret. He appeared before many, and he appeared to people for over a month.
Acts 1:3
He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. .
1 Corinthians 15:3-8
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, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. ..
The resurrection is very important. Jesus wanted the apostles to be prepared for what was coming, so he foretold of his death and resurrection beforehand.
John 14:19
Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also
will live.
Luke 24:6-7
He is not here but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.”
The apostles testified to the Christ's rising from the dead. They believed in it so strongly that 11 of the 12 ended up being martyred for their faith. If Jesus did not rise, or if the disciples stole the body, or if Jesus merely revived, then when did Jesus actually die? And if those other theories happened, would you boldly proclaim a lie... that leads to your death? If the government at the time wanted to stop Christianity, couldn't they just produce and show Jesus' body?
Acts 4:33
And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.
Mark 16:6
And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him.
Jesus' resurrection is the one thing that sets Jesus apart as the Messiah, the Son of God, the Lord and Saviour. He was not just a prophet or teacher. It is the most important aspect of Christianity. Without the power of the resurrection, then our faith is in vain.
Romans 1:4
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,
1 Corinthians 15:3-4
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,
1 Corinthians 15:17
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.
Jesus' resurrection is what gives us hope of eternal life. As Christians, we share in it. Our bodies will be transformed just as his was, and we will have eternal life.
1 Peter 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
Romans 8:11
If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
1 Thessalonians 4:14
For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.
John 11:25
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,
1 Corinthians 6:14
And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power.
This is the amazing, good news, the gospel, that Jesus died for us and was raised from the dead. By his resurrection power he forgives us, and he is our advocate in Heaven. We have hope of eternal life. This is amazing and exciting!
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 indeed is interceding for us.
..
Ephesians 1:20
That he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,
Romans 4:25
Who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.
I feel like it would be easy to believe in the resurrection if Jesus appeared personally to you as he did to Thomas. But what about us 2000 years later? Can you believe in it and in Jesus as Lord? There are over 100 passages in the Bible that speak of Jesus' resurrection. We believe by faith even though we have not seen.
Believe in Jesus and be saved!
John 20:29
Jesus said unto him, “Thomas, because thou hast seen Me, thou hast believed. Blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed.”
RELATED POSTS
