"And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you." Matthew 28:5-7 KJV
He is Risen: The Resurrection in Matthew 28
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the foundation of the Christian faith. Without the resurrection, the belief in God's saving grace and mercy through Jesus is void. When Jesus rose from the dead, he proved his divinity as the Son of God and his works of atonement, redemption, reconciliation, and salvation. The resurrection was a real, physical raising of Jesus’ body from the dead.
Jesus was arrested and sentenced to crucifixion at the demand of the Pharisees. His body was hung on a cross between two thieves. After his death, Jesus’ body was wrapped in linen cloth and placed in a tomb with a large stone rolled across the opening. On the third day, an early Sunday morning, the myrrh-bearing women came to the tomb and found it empty. Sitting on the rolled-away stone was an angel of the Lord who told them to not be afraid because Jesus has risen. As the women left to tell the disciples, Jesus Christ met them and showed them his nail-pierced hands.
Both the Old and the New Testament speak of the truth of Jesus being raised from death - Jesus testified of his resurrection before he died on the cross, and his disciples witnessed his body after the resurrection. Below is the Bible passage of Jesus' resurrection from the gospel of Matthew:
"After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” - Matthew 28:1-10 NIV
Use our free Easter Prayer and Scripture Guide to reflect on the meaning and importance of Christ's resurrection.
He is Risen Meaning
"He is risen" means that Jesus has defeated death and offers us to share in eternal life with Him. Christ conquered death, and to those who believe in Him, He grants eternal life.
"Christ is Risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life!" (Orthodox Easter Hymn)
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 NIV
Jesus is Risen and Raises Us
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23
"But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
"Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9
"For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13
"And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Acts 2:38
Learn more about the Roman's Road to Salvation
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