Tomb Was Empty Because Christ Was Resurrected
After many years Easter Sunday can become just a hollow celebration for some believers because the resurrection of Christ seems to simply mean He was crucified on a cross and then returned to life and left His burial tomb. Luke 24:1-7 captures His empty tomb on the Sunday morning after His death. The record states,
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in dazzling clothing; and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.” Luke 24:1-7 (NASB)
The question that I had as a young man was, “What is the benefit of Christ’s death?” It is a question many believers ask. Scripture teaches that the resurrection of Christ has significantly more meaning than simply that He was raised from the dead and left the tomb. So in this study, I will focus on nine personal benefits Scripture teaches that believers receive because Christ was resurrected. Are you ready for this amazing list?
We Know Christ Is God
The first wonderful benefit of the resurrection of Christ is that it proves Jesus was and is God. Notice that Romans 1:3-4 reveals that Christ was both a man and God.
Concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead. Romans 1:3-4a (NASB)
Here we are told that His resurrection from the dead proves that Jesus Christ was and is God. We are told that He was “declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection.” We know that the term “Son of God” refers to God because in John 10:33 the religious leaders accused Jesus of committing blasphemy by saying He was God. Then in John 10:36, Jesus repeats their statement and replaces “God” with “Son of God.” This means that one of the benefits of the resurrection of Christ is the proof that He was God. This much we know, no human has ever returned to life after death by an act of his or her own will. But Christ did (John 10:17). So, the first benefit of the resurrection is that believers know Christ has been and continues to be God. He has the power and characteristics of God because He is God.
We Know Christ Is Self-Existing
The second benefit for us is that we know Christ will never die again. Romans 6:9 says,
Knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again. Romans 6:9 (NASB)
This is a simple but important verse for it means that Christ will always live. It reinforces other Scriptures that teach Christ is eternal. Why is this important? That is a characteristic of God. Only God can be self-existing, and Jesus is self-existing. Notice what Jesus said in John 5:26,
For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself. John 5:26 (NASB)
We know that Christ is God. He is self-existing.
We Know Christ Is The Messiah
The another personal benefit due to the resurrection is that we know Christ is the Messiah who promised to Israel. Acts 2:29-32 simply and clearly states,
Brethren, I may confidently say to you regarding the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. And so, because he was a prophet and knew that GOD HAD SWORN TO HIM WITH AN OATH TO SEAT one OF HIS DESCENDANTS ON HIS THRONE, he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that HE WAS NEITHER ABANDONED TO HADES, NOR DID His flesh SUFFER DECAY. This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses. Acts 2:29-32 (NASB)
This passage reveals that King David was a prophet who prophesied that the Messiah would die and then be resurrected. That is, the resurrection would be a sign that a man was the Messiah. Then the prophet Daniel prophesied the time of the Messiah’s death (Daniel 9:24-26). The Messiah would have to fulfill all of these signs. The gospel of Matthew affirms that Jesus was and is the Messiah multiple times (Matthew 1:1, 16, 17; 2:4). In addition to the resurrection proving that Jesus is the Messiah, the religious leaders told the magi that Christ would be born in Bethlehem and He was (Matthew 2:3-7). They quoted Micah 5:2, which prophesied about the Messiah’s birthplace. There are many other prophecies about the Messiah that are revealed in the New Testament.
In John 1:40-41, we read that Andrew told Peter that he had found the Messiah. He was referring to Jesus.
One of the two who heard John speak and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He found first his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which translated means Christ). John 1:40-41 (NASB)
Then later in John 4:25-26 we read that Jesus told a woman that He was the Messiah.
The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.” John 4:25-26 (NASB)
So, the third benefit of the resurrection is that He is the Messiah.
Our Faith In Christ Is Not Worthless
So, the first benefit of the resurrection of Christ is that we know Jesus was and is God. The second benefit is that He is eternally God. The third benefit is that He is the prophesied Messiah. Now the fourth benefit of the resurrection of Christ is that believers know their faith in Christ is not worthless or not futile. Their sins have been forgiven.
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied. 1 Corinthians 15:17-19 (NASB)
The Greek word for “worthless” in the NASB can also be translated as “empty” or “futile.” That is, our faith in Christ is not hollow or without benefit. If Christ had not been resurrected, then believers would still be in their sins and headed to eternal punishment.
Now why does the resurrection prove our sins can be forgiven? Romans 4:25 gives us the answer.
He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification. Romans 4:25 (NASB)
To understand the verse, we first go to Acts 2:24, which reveals that death had no power to hold Christ in the grave (Romans 6:23). That was because Christ was sinless, and the resurrection proved it. It teaches that His resurrection is proof that His atonement on the cross was accepted by God the Father because Jesus was the spotless Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29). He was and is without sin when His body, not His spirit, died on the cross (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 3:5).
So, Christ was without sin when He died. Consequently, He defeated sin, death, and Satan. Christ’s resurrection proved He defeated death, and that proved He was the sinless sacrifice. As a result, He was the perfect sacrifice who satisfied God the Father’s wrath against sin, and now the sins of those who believe in Him can be forgiven.
So the fourth benefit of the resurrection to us personally, is that our faith in Him is not foolish and empty. It is not futile and you are not wasting your time and energy in serving Him.
Christ Will Always Keep His Promises
Because of four benefits that we have already discovered, we know that Christ will always keep His promises. One of the most obvious promises that Christ would not be able to fulfill if He had not been resurrected is found in Matthew 28:20. Jesus said,
“I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20 (NASB)
Jesus would not be able to be with us always had He not returned to life and left the tomb just as the two angels told the women.
If Jesus had not been resurrected, He could not keep His promise in John 3:16 to believers that they would have eternal life. He would not be able to keep His promise that He will raise up believers on the last day. He made that promise four times (John 6:39, 40, 44, 54). Nor, could He keep His promise of the rapture (John 14:3), His second coming (Matthew 24:29-31), that He would send the Holy Spirit (John 15:26), or that He would drink wine with the apostles in the millennial kingdom (Matthew 26:29).
So, the fifth benefit of the resurrection is that Christ can fulfill His many promises to believers.
Christ Is Our Advocate In Heaven
The sixth benefit of the resurrection of Christ is that every believer knows Christ is our advocate who will not allow us to be condemned because of our sins. Two important verses that reveal this truth are Romans 8:34 and 1 John 2:1-2.
Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Romans 8:34 (NASB)
The verse begins with a question, “Who is the one who condemns?” The Greek word for “condemn” is katakrino. It has the idea of a strong accuser or someone who severely judges us. The implied answer to the question is, “No one can succeed!” Why? Because Jesus is in heaven defending us against any accuser. The accuser most likely is Satan and his wicked angels. It also includes anyone here on earth who might accuse us in their prayers.
1 John 2:1 calls Jesus our advocate. There Jesus is pictured as a believer’s defense attorney. He defends us before God the Father against all accusations of our sinful behavior.
So, the sixth benefit is that Christ is our advocate in heaven defending us from accusations that we do not deserve to be forgiven and allowed into heaven.
We Will Desire To Be Righteous
The seventh benefit is that because Christ is in heaven, believers will want to become righteous in their behavior. Romans 6:4-5 says,
Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection. Romans 6:4-5 (NASB)
The point is that since believers have new lives, they will strive to be like Him in His resurrected state. We will desire to be conformed to be just like Christ.
We Will Join Christ At The Rapture
The eighth benefit of the resurrection of Christ is given to us in 1 Thessalonians 4:14.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 4:14 (NASB)
Here we are told that if we believe Jesus died and was resurrected, then at the rapture of the church all believers will join their Lord Jesus Christ in heaven. That reveals Christ is in heaven and that the rapture is a real promise.
Believers Have a Living Hope
The ninth benefit of the resurrection of Christ is that every believer has a living hope of going to heaven. Our hope is not dead. Instead, it is certain. Every person who actively believes in Christ is eternally secure; that is, they are going to heaven some day. That is the message of 1 Peter 1:3-5
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:3-5 (NASB)
Why are believers guaranteed eternal life? Because we have a living hope due to the resurrection of Christ. Christ is living in heaven. He is self-existing. He is the Messiah. Christ is keeping His promises. He is always with us. He is our advocate. He is our motivation to strive for righteousness. We have a promise that at the rapture we will be with Christ. Now we are told our eternal home is secure. We have been given an inheritance called heaven. Our inheritance will not perish or fade. It is undefiled. We have a reservation already in heaven – just like a hotel reservation. Only Christ has prepared the place! Our inheritance is protected by God Himself through saving faith. Finally, it is already ready for us! That is, believers have a living hope because of the resurrection of Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:14 says that since Christ is risen from the tomb, Jesus will raise up believers.
Knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you. 2 Corinthians 4:14 (NASB)
Now that is very personal. I love this promise. God the Father and Christ will be involved in our resurrection.
Lastly, notice Colossians 3:1,
Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Colossians 3:1 (NASB)
We need to notice the word “raised up.” It is translated from the Greek word synegeiro. It literally means to be “co-resurrected” or “resurrected together.” That is when someone believes in Christ, he or she dies to self and is figuratively resurrected to new life with Christ.
With that in mind, we should also note that the Greek word synegeiro is in the aorist tense which means that it has already happened. That is, everyone who is a true believer has already been co-resurrected and is sitting in heaven with Christ in heaven.
The apostle Paul did not mean that believers are actually sitting in heaven, he was speaking of a believer’s position in Christ. That is, God the Father considers every believer still living on earth to already be part of His family and to be sitting in heaven, even while we are still living on earth. He was describing our position in Christ and not our practice. This is also the message of Ephesians 2:6.
So, the ninth benefit of the resurrection of Christ is that all believers are already positionally sitting in heaven. This is the last benefit of Christ’s resurrection that we will consider.
Conclusion
So, there is more to the meaning of the resurrection of Christ than He was crucified on a cross and returned to life leaving His burial tomb. So, reflect on all of the benefits of His resurrection when you celebrate His resurrection on Resurrection Sunday. He is Risen!