The resurrection of Christ is the truth on which the entire Christian faith rests. It is not a small addition to the gospel or simply the happy ending of the Easter story. Everything we believe about Jesus, everything we preach and everything we hope for rests on the truth that He died, was buried and rose again.

Paul said it plainly:

“And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain… If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.”
1 Corinthians 15:14, 19 (KJV)

If the resurrection of Christ were not true, then our faith would be empty. We would be following the memory of a teacher who died, just as people follow the teachings of many others who have lived and passed away. But Paul did not end with despair. He continued:

“But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.”
1 Corinthians 15:20 (KJV)

Christ is risen. Our Saviour lives. This is the foundation of our faith and the reason our hope is alive.

The resurrection of Jesus holds two major promises for every believer in Christ.

Resurrection power for our lives here and now

The first promise is that we can experience the supernatural power of God in our lives here and now. The resurrection is not only something that happened to Jesus many years ago. The power that raised Him from the dead is still at work in those who believe.

Paul prayed that believers would know:

“The exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead.”
Ephesians 1:19-20 (KJV)

Jesus was not the first person to be raised from death in Scripture. Lazarus was raised when Jesus called him out of the tomb (John 11:43-44). The son of the widow of Nain was raised when Jesus said, “Young man, I say unto thee, Arise” (Luke 7:14-15). In the Old Testament, Elisha prayed and the Shunammite woman's son opened his eyes again (2 Kings 4:32-35).

But none of these people raised themselves. The power of God came to them through someone else, and they were restored to their earthly lives. Jesus was different. He willingly laid down His life, went into the grave and rose again with divine authority. He said:

“I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.”
John 10:18 (KJV)

Jesus did not rise only to die again. Romans 6:9 tells us that Christ, being raised from the dead, dies no more and that death has no more dominion over Him. He went into the grave and conquered it completely.

This truth should give you courage. If Jesus conquered death, then no situation in your life is beyond the power of God. Nothing is too dead for Him to breathe upon. Nothing is too broken for Him to restore. Nothing is so far gone that God cannot intervene. “For with God nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:37).

God can turn a situation around suddenly. He can open a door that looked permanently closed. He can restore hope where you had almost given up. Sometimes He changes the situation, and sometimes He gives us strength, wisdom and grace while we wait. Either way, we are not helpless and we are not alone. The same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead lives in the believer (Romans 8:11).

So keep your faith alive. Keep praying. Keep trusting. Do not allow what you see today to make you forget the resurrection power of God.

Resurrection hope for the world to come

The second promise is even more important.

We will not have all our problems fixed in this world. We will experience the power and goodness of God, but we will still live through pain, disappointment, weakness, loss and unanswered questions. Every child of God is constantly living in this tension. We are in the world, yet we are not of it (John 17:14-16).

We are pilgrims here. Hebrews 11 describes God's people as “strangers and pilgrims on the earth” who desire “a better country, that is, an heavenly” (Hebrews 11:13-16). We live faithfully in this world, but something within us still yearns for home.

We yearn to become completely like our Saviour in spirit, soul and body. We long for the day when sin will no longer trouble us, pain will no longer touch us and our bodies will no longer become weak or die. First John 3:2 says that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. Philippians 3:20-21 says that Jesus will transform our bodies to be like His glorious body.

The pain we feel in this world can sometimes be overwhelming. There are prayers that seem to remain unanswered. There are situations that may not be fully restored on this side of eternity. There are losses we still carry and questions we may not understand until we stand before the Lord.

But the resurrection of Christ assures us that this world is not the end of our story.

Jesus is coming back for us.

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout… and the dead in Christ shall rise first… and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 (KJV)

This is our hope. If Christ never rose, Christianity would be like every other religion built around someone who lived and died. But our Saviour lived, died, rose again and is still living. He is alive today, making intercession for you. Hebrews 7:25 says that He “ever liveth to make intercession” for those who come to God through Him.

Our hope is not only that God will make life more comfortable here. Our greatest hope is that Christ has defeated death and is coming to take us home. One day we will see Him. One day faith will become sight. One day every pain will end, and we will be with the Lord for ever.

Keep preparing for the coming King

So, believer, be of good cheer. Keep keeping on. Keep preparing and keep waiting for the coming of the King.

Preparing for His return does not mean living in fear or trying to predict the exact day He will come. It means keeping your heart close to Jesus. It means allowing the hope of seeing Him to make you desire purity, obedience and faithfulness. First John 3:3 says that everyone who has this hope purifies himself. Titus 2:11-13 teaches us to reject ungodliness, live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world, and keep looking for our blessed hope.

Keep praying. Keep walking in love. Keep forgiving. Keep serving faithfully. Keep sharing the gospel. When you fall, return to the Lord quickly. Do not become so comfortable in this world that you forget you are waiting for another.

He is coming back, and every eye will see Him.

“Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him.”
Revelation 1:7 (KJV)

This promise is as sure as the rising and setting of the sun. God has not forgotten what He said. The waiting may feel long, but “he that shall come will come, and will not tarry” (Hebrews 10:37).

The grave is empty. Our Saviour is alive. The King is coming.

Be of good cheer. Keep your faith alive. Keep preparing. Keep watching. He is coming back.