The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the central truth of the Christian faith. Without it, Christianity would be meaningless for humanity and for Christians themselves.
It confirms His identity, it completes His ministry, and it provides hope for a future.
First and foremost, the resurrection confirms that Jesus is God (John 10:33). It proves that He has power to forgive sins and to raise the dead. It also demonstrates His power to intercede on behalf of those who believe in Him and trust in Him for forgiveness and eternal life.
This is a hugely important fact for our world because it means that we can now have an actual relationship with our Creator and Savior, rather than simply hoping to be saved. It means that we can have a new identity as followers of Jesus, a new relationship with Him in which He resides in us by His Holy Spirit and works through us to reach others for Christ.
Second, the resurrection proves that Jesus is God’s Son, and He is the promised Messiah for Israel. The Bible tells us that Jesus is the true Israel’s prophet, and that he will return to set up the kingdom of God on earth.
Third, the resurrection proves that Jesus is the only One who can forgive and give eternal life to those who trust in Him. Because He is the only One who can do this, and because His work on the cross is now finished, it gives us confidence that we can have a personal relationship with our Lord.
Fourth, the resurrection teaches us that the Spirit of God is alive and active among believers today. The Spirit convicts, strengthens and guides us to the life that Christ desires for us.
Fifth, the resurrection reveals that Christ’s death was not a one-time event; it is the precursor to the resurrection of all believers. The resurrection of Christ is proof that the resurrection of all the dead will be the next step in the plan of God to save His people from their sins and make them into His own.
Finally, the resurrection is a reminder of our own mortality, and it helps us understand why we need a Savior. When we die, we face a judgment for our sins. But by Christ’s resurrection we are made right with God, and we can look forward to a time when we will be raised to meet Him in the air.