The Resurrection of Jesus. John 20:1-10 The Reality of the Resurrection: “He is risen,” not something like Him; “He is the first-fruits of resurrection”; “a spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see Me have,” His resurrection was a literal resurrection. There were eye-witnesses: Mary, two on the road to Emmaus, Peter, then the ten apostles. When Thomas was there a week later, there were the eleven apostles. The apostles met Him at Galilee and met with 500 brethren at once. All the apostles saw him visibly for forty days. He met with His brother, James, and then Paul on the road to Damascus. The eleven watched His ascension into heaven from the Mount of Olives.
The Reason for the Resurrection: The Lord Jesus Christ was “Raised again for our justification” [Rom.4:25]. One of the reasons for which Christ died was, “That they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them and rose again” [2 Cor.5:15]. There was divine approval given to the Person and finished work of Christ, in that “God raised Him from the dead.” He was raised again by “the power of the Holy Spirit.” He said Himself regarding His life-giving power in relation to His own physical life, “I have the power to lay it down, and I have the power to raise it again.”
The Results of the Resurrection: Timid men were made bold [Acts 2:32] because they believed in a living Savior. Men were made resolute and strong as the Spirit of God gave power to the word they spoke. Christianity was made strong and spread to far parts of the world, and it still changes lives today. The way to heaven was made plain, so no one needs to doubt their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, a real living person. Salvation was promised, “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in thy heart that God raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” [Rom.10:9.
On that new day, before the sun was up, the sepulcher was opened. They could not stop the One who holds the key to life from using that power while it was still night to bring about a New Day. That liberates men from sin’s dark sway and lets us know death is not the end by shedding light on a life that blends with God’s. The opened sepulcher clearly says the Risen Christ brought a New Day.
Mary came early while it was dark, and when she saw the opened tomb, there was a leap in her heart. Others came too, going inside to confirm that something important had happened, which was way beyond a normal act. The news was out when Mary could say, “I have seen the Lord.” The Lord had risen from among the dead – it was a New Day. The disciples were changed, although there still was fear in them because of lingering doubts. He appeared to them in the evening to settle those doubts that Jesus was alive. From that day until now, His disciples know He is not dead – a New Day is here, and we will be with Him as He said.
The New Day started when the Savior arose from among the dead and conquered those who had conquered us. He is now our Risen Head, and by His death and resurrection, sin’s power has been defeated by the payment He made on our behalf. Satan’s leadership is gone from those whom God’s free gift takes, and death has lost its control. When the Savior voluntarily gave His life for our sins, He chose to lay it down so lost sinners could be saved. When He rose by divine power, the grave lost its sting. Millions of redeemed souls have been brought to God through His death, burial, and resurrection. Each redeemed one will forever say, “When my blessed Lord rose from the dead, it began a New Day.”