Resurrection changes everything. If Jesus was a good man but is now a dead man, He is no help to you. But if Jesus is God’s Son, and He was resurrected, then He’s the only salvation you need. The disciples were a gloomy bunch of cowards following Jesus’ crucifixion. Then Jesus comes back from the dead, and they conquer the Roman Empire with preaching and church planting! So what is the significance of Jesus’ resurrection in your life? It’s one of the most important questions ever asked!
Use the following guide to prepare for Sunday. Onward!
Monday’s Passage to Read: Read John 20, Matthew 28, and 1 Corinthians 15. The common tie between these passages is the resurrection of Jesus. In John 20, the resurrection compels belief. In Matthew 28, the resurrection conquers doubt. And in 1 Corinthians 15, the resurrection defeats death.
Tuesday’s Devotional Thought: The hinge of hope is the resurrection of Jesus. Since Jesus defeated death, you can be an eternal optimist for the future. Through Jesus’ resurrection, you can have complete assurance in the present. The hope of the resurrection redirects your worries to victory, calms the fears raging inside you, and overcomes the doubts that consume you. Through the resurrection, God provides assurance even when you’re not sure. Through the resurrection, God guarantees victory even when you feel like a failure.
Everyone needs the miracle of resurrection because no one escapes death. Death is unsettling because we can’t control it, though we try. Death exists for everyone; it’s universal. Death haunts us, like a shadow that follows us everywhere. Death is that stalker, always just behind us, creeping towards us.
But through Jesus, death opens into eternal life. In John 11:25, Jesus assures everyone, “I am the resurrection.” Death does not have to lead to darkness. Jesus’ resurrection can bring you into the light. God wants everyone to experience the miracle of resurrection.
In the New Testament, the Corinthian people struggled with the concept of the resurrection. This struggle is ongoing. During Christ’s ministry, the Sadducees denied miracles, including resurrection. During the Enlightenment, the world’s greatest thinkers rejected the resurrection. During modernity, the influence of Darwinism multiplied. Today, some people will prepare for a zombie apocalypse before accepting the reality of Jesus’ resurrection.
Resurrection is not a re-living or a return to an old life. It’s not reincarnation in another form. It’s not even revivification—being brought back to life physically. Instead, resurrection is an eternal life with God Himself. In resurrection, weakness becomes strength, pain becomes healing, sadness becomes joy, and defeat becomes victory.
In his first letter, John writes, “God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.” (1 John 5:11). The word for life in this text is zoe, not bios. The word zoe refers to the highest quality of life, something only God can give. The term biosrefers to physical life, which is where we get the concept of biology. When Jesus gives life, it’s not just an extended existence but rather an eternity with the greatest living imaginable.
Through Jesus’ resurrection, we become incorruptible. No disease will take us down in eternity. We become glorified. No sin will take us down. This life is everlasting. What was corrupted is now pure. What was dishonorable is now glorious. What was weak is now eternal.
Wednesday’s Proverb:
The instruction of the wise is like a life-giving fountain;
those who accept it avoid the snares of death.
Proverbs 13:14
Are you the kind of person who reads the instructions first? Or do you jump right into the assembly without looking at them? You can’t build your life without God’s instructions. He has given us an incredible guide with His Word, the Bible. If you aren’t regularly reading your Bible, commit today to reading it more. Otherwise, you will likely become trapped in the snare of death.
Thursday’s Prayer through Scripture: Read John 20:18. In just one verse, God reveals much. Mary Magdalene was obedient. She did exactly as Christ said. Then she expressed excitement over Jesus’ resurrection. Most importantly, she shared the message of Jesus. When we are both obedient and passionate, God does amazing work through us to get His gospel message to the world.
Friday’s Bible Project Video: Watch this video clip about the events following the resurrection of Jesus. The next few sermons will cover the book of Acts and the formation of the early church.