Ever Wonder Why Jesus’ Resurrection Doesn’t Mean More To You?
By Drs. Steven L. Childers and John M. Frame
Every year, Christians around the world celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. But if we’re honest, many of us struggle to feel the deep joy and lasting hope we know we should find in it. We believe the resurrection happened—but we don’t always understand why it matters.
The Bible teaches that the gospel is not merely the announcement of what Jesus did in history—it’s the revelation of what those events mean. The gospel includes the historical facts of Jesus’ birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension. But its power lies in God’s interpretation of those facts.
It’s not just about what happened. It’s about why it happened, what it accomplished, and what it promises for you today.
In this short article, we’ll look at two things. First, we’ll briefly review the Bible’s record of what Jesus actually did in his resurrection. Then, we’ll explore ten vital truths about what his resurrection means for you—and why it’s something worth celebrating every day.
The Historical Record of the Resurrection
The Apostles’ Creed summarizes the historical event of Jesus’ resurrection in a simple phrase: “The third day he rose again from the dead.”
The Gospel of Luke records that “on the first day of the week, at early dawn,” a group of women came to Jesus’ tomb with burial spices. But when they arrived, they found the stone rolled away—and the tomb empty.
“They went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.” (Luke 24:1–3)
No one could produce Jesus’ body. Over the next forty days, Jesus appeared to many of his followers, offering “many proofs” of his resurrection and teaching them about the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3). He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, showing how everything written in Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms pointed to him (Luke 24:25–27, 44–48).
The Apostle Paul recounts several of these appearances:
“He appeared to Cephas (Peter), then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive... Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.” (1 Cor. 15:5–8)
Even after Jesus ascended into heaven, he appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1–9), forever changing Paul’s life and mission.
At Pentecost, Peter publicly declared Jesus’ resurrection as the fulfillment of God’s promise to David:
“This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses... Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” (Acts 2:32, 36; cf. Ps. 16:8–11)
The resurrection of Jesus is not a myth or a metaphor. It is a historical event, verified by eyewitnesses and central to the message of the early church.
The Meaning and Significance of the Resurrection
The New Testament doesn’t stop with the fact of Jesus’ resurrection. It calls us to understand its meaning. Scripture presents the resurrection not just as a miraculous event, but as a turning point in redemptive history—a divine declaration with eternal consequences.
Here are ten biblical reasons to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus:
The resurrection declares Jesus to be Lord and God’s only Son.
(Acts 2:29–39; Acts 17:30–31; Rom. 1:4)The resurrection proves that Jesus’ atoning death was accepted by the Father. (Rom. 4:24–25; Phil. 2:8–9)
The resurrection reveals Jesus as the firstborn from the dead. (Rom. 8:29; Col. 1:18)
The resurrection inaugurates God’s kingdom on earth, with Jesus as the firstfruits. (1 Cor. 15:20–28)
The resurrection demonstrates Jesus’ victory over Satan, sin, and death (Acts 2:24)
The resurrection guarantees our forgiveness and justification. (1 Cor. 15:17; Rom. 4:25)
The resurrection assures us that Jesus now lives to intercede for us. (Heb. 7:25)
The resurrection brings us into new spiritual life by the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 6:3–5; Eph. 1:18–20; 1 Pet. 1:3)
The resurrection guarantees our future deliverance from death. (1 Cor. 15:18)
The resurrection promises us a future resurrection body and everlasting life. (Rom. 8:23; 1 Cor. 15:20, 23, 49)
Paul writes that if Christ has not been raised, “your faith is futile and you are still in your sins” (1 Cor. 15:17). But because Jesus has been raised, everything has changed.
God now promises all who turn from sin and trust in the risen Christ:
a new standing before God, through the forgiveness of sins,
a new heart from God, filled with the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, and
a new world for God, when Christ returns to raise us from the dead and give us glorified bodies like his—so that we might reign with him forever in a new heaven and new earth.
Conclusion
These ten biblical reasons are not merely truths to understand, but weapons to help you fight for your joy in Christ.
So if your heart has grown cold or indifferent toward the resurrection, don’t settle for apathy. Repent. Ask God to forgive your dullness and to awaken you again to the wonder of what the risen Christ has done for you and the world.
Ask the Holy Spirit to renew your mind with these glorious truths, to set your heart aflame with love for Jesus, and to transform your life from the inside out. Let these truths fuel your worship, strengthen your hope, and shape the way you live.
Because Jesus lives, you can face today—and eternity—with confidence, courage, and joy. So don’t just remember the resurrection. Learn how to rejoice in it. Live in its power. And let it change everything.
Reference: This is a slightly-edited excerpt from the Applied Theology II Collection: Faith, Hope, and Love Series course and book, “Faith: A Biblical Exposition of the Apostles’ Creed” by Drs. Steve Childers and John Frame. For a free preview of the course: CLICK HERE.
