Harley Todd

A subject which meets every requisite and criteria for being a great Bible truth is the resurrection of Jesus.

As it began to dawn toward the first day of the week following Jesus' crucifixion on the preceding Friday, the two Marys came to the sepulcher into which Jesus' body had been placed. The angel said to them, "Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay" (Matt. 28: 1-6).

The resurrection of Jesus has power and attraction to man (Phili. 3: 10). If Jesus had not resurrected, Paul stated all would have been lost and there would be no hope in this life or after the grave (I Cor. 15: 12-22).

The resurrection of Jesus has power and attraction to man (Phili. 3: 10). If Jesus had not resurrected, Paul stated all would have been lost and there would be no hope in this life or after the grave (I Cor. 15: 12-22).

The resurrection was prophesied

David prophesied thus of Jesus' resurrection: "For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption" (Ps. 16: 10). David was speaking of Christ's resurrection (Acts 2: 29-33). The bodily resurrection was fulfilled (Lk. 24: 6-8).

Time of resurrection

The time was "in the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week" (Matt. 28: 1), "when the sabbath was past" (Mk. 16: 1), and "now upon the first day of the week (Sunday), very early in the morning" (Lk. 24: 1). This was the day upon which the church was begun (Acts 2), the Spirit descended on the apostles (Acts 2), the gospel was first preached in its totality (Ibid.), and the new day of worship (Acts 20: 7, I Cor. 16: 1,2).

Precautions taken

The Jews were aware of Jesus' statement, "After three days I will rise again" (Matt. 27: 63). They also knew that this Jesus was no ordinary man (Jn. 11: 47-53). Pilate told them, "Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can" (vs. 65). The Jews did two things: They sealed the stone and set a watch (vs. 66). However, all their precautions served the opposite effect -- they helped prove Jesus' resurrection. The watchmen became witnesses (Matt. 28: 11). The rulers evidently believed the guard's report that Jesus had been resurrected because no efforts were made to search for the body or to criminally pursue the guards.

Witnesses of the resurrected Jesus

There were many witnesses of the resurrected Jesus. "And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: after that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep," Paul wrote of the resurrected Jesus. There are thirteen recorded instances in which the resurrected Lord was observed (see addendum).

The purpose of the resurrection

The resurrection proved Jesus' sonship: "And declared to be the Son of God with power," Paul wrote, "by the resurrection from the dead" (Rom. 1: 4). Jesus' resurrection is a pledge for the resurrection (attendant glory) of the Christian (I Cor. 15: 20). The resurrection is the very basis of our faith and hope (I Cor. 15: 14-19).

What a privilege it is to serve a resurrected Lord.