The Significance Of The Resurrection of Jesus Christ

The concluding remarks of the Lord Jesus in his conversation with Nicodemus, a magistrate and ruler of the Jews, was as follows:

“12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?

13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven (the Lord Jesus Christ);

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up (referring to, and symbolism of, the crucifixion of Jesus);

15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:12-15 KJV)

Obviously, the Lord Jesus in verse 14 was referring to his crucifixion in symbolism. He emphasized in verse 15 that “whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life”. He was referring to the resurrection of the dead who believed in Christ. This kind of belief should be accompanied by action, not merely intellectual belief or just in the mind, but in the heart. Intellectual belief is exemplified by the devils believing but not evidenced by action (James 2:19). This kind of belief does not result in the salvation of the soul. The action should be evidenced by the believer’s acceptance of, and obedience to, the teachings of Jesus. It must be evidenced by the fruit of the Holy Spirit in the character of the believer such as - - love, joy, peace, longsuffering (or patience), gentleness, goodness, faith as described in Hebrews 11:1 [NOW faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen; which faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17 KJV)], meekness and temperance [self-control] (Galatians 5:22-23).

What is meant by “whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life”? He is referring to the resurrection unto life by those “dead in Christ”, or who died in their heart believing in Christ. For every human being shall die once physically. Thus, Jesus said, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up”. He spoke of the temple referring to his own human body. He was then 100% human but at the same time 100% divine. When therefore he was risen from the dead on the third day, his disciples remembered that he had said unto them previously. “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die (spiritually) and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die (spiritually). (John 2:19-22). Note the repeated use of the word believeth for emphasis.

The Lord Jesus demonstrated the truth of his gospel by his own resurrection and by resurrecting Lazarus, his friend who obviously believed on Him as the only begotten Son of God. The story goes that Lazarus died and was already buried four days so “by this time he stinketh” said his sister Martha (vs. 30). The Lord Jesus answered:

40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?

41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid, And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.

42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.

43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.

44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them. Loose him, and let him go.

45 Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.” (John 11:40-45 KJV)

Again, note the repetition of the word “believe”. This is a demonstration of what Jesus said on vs. 23-25 of John 11.

“23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.

24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day (referring to the resurrection of all believers, except Jesus Christ who resurrected on the third day [in every rule there is an exception is a maximum]).

25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:”

After this episode, Jesus told his disciples speaking about his second coming at the last day for all believers (in Christ) in this manner:

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:1-3)

What is the significance of all these events and personal assurances of Jesus Christ? They prove that the canonized Bible is true; that there is a resurrection of the dead into resurrection of life for all those who BELIEVE in the DEITY of Jesus Christ (John 5:29). Just as the Lord Jesus when he resurrected, he had a glorified body (could pass and penetrate through closed doors; could travel in the air without airplane or jet), and possessed with eternal life - - never to die again. Where Jesus Christ lives, the BELIEVERS who are resurrected into the resurrection of life will also live - - the place is called HEAVEN. And it shall be forever and ever, without end.

Blessed are those who BELIEVE in their heart on the Lord Jesus Christ as the only begotten Son of God, repent of their sins and accept Him as their only LORD and SAVIOR, for they will be resurrected into life everlasting and be with Him forevermore.