The resurrection is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. If Jesus had remained in the tomb, His promises would have died with Him. But He rose, just as He said He would (Matthew 28:6), proving that He is the Son of God (Romans 1:4). Paul proclaimed, “But now Christ is risen from the dead” (1 Corinthians 15:20), making death a defeated enemy. Jesus’ rising proves His claims, confirms His power over sin and death, and secures our hope of new life.
The resurrection was verified by eyewitnesses. Paul reminded the Corinthians that the risen Christ appeared to more than five hundred people at once, “of whom the greater part remain to the present” (1 Corinthians 15:6). In other words, first-century readers could still speak with those who saw Him alive. When Peter preached in Acts 2, he boldly declared that David’s tomb was still occupied, but Jesus’ was empty. “This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses” (Acts 2:32). If Peter had been mistaken, his audience could have easily refuted him by pointing to Jesus’ body—but they could not.
The empty tomb changed everything. Because He lives, we have hope beyond death, assurance beyond doubt, and purpose beyond this life. The resurrection declares that Jesus is Lord, and that eternal life is found in Him alone.
