As a priest, my deepest conviction is in the triumphant victory of Jesus Christ over death. This widely accepted belief in Christianity is founded on the crucial event of His resurrection. As written in Revelation 1:18, Jesus Christ – once dead, is now alive. This reverberates through the core of our Christian faith, setting it apart from all other religions. It is because no other religious leader ever foretold their own death and resurrection (Matthew 16:21) and fulfilled that prophecy as Jesus did (Luke 24:6).
Jesus Christ’s resurrection is unique, for His was the first resurrection followed by an eternal life. Unlike others who were resurrected only to die again (see 1 Kings 17:17–24; 2 Kings 4:32–37; Mark 5:39–42; John 11:38–44), as the Holy Son of God, Jesus completely overpowered death. A testimony to this is Peter’s explanation, “It was impossible for death to keep its hold on him” (Acts 2:24).
This miraculous victory over death was possible because Jesus was sinless. As Genesis 2:17 explains, death is the curse originating from sin committed in the Garden of Eden. Though the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), Jesus was holy (1 Peter 2:22) and thus not under the realm of death. His death was a voluntary sacrifice for our sins, and owing to His sinless nature, His resurrection followed logically.
Jesus Christ’s triumph over death has profound implications for us as believers. Based on our faith in His resurrection, we too, as followers, “have passed from death to life” (1 John 3:14). Failing which, our faith would be in vain (1 Corinthians 15:17). But because He has risen, we gain victory over death (2 Timothy 1:10).
As believers, we have been bestowed victory over death, because Jesus Christ was the “firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20). This means Jesus’ resurrection paved the way for many more to come.
The resurrection of Christ is a fulfilment of prophecy, a testament to His divine power and sovereignty. The psalmist foretold that the Messiah would conquer death (Psalm 16:10), and this hope is echoed by other prophets (Isaiah 25:8; Hosea 13:14; 1 Corinthians 15:54–55).
By triumphing over death, Christ vanquished Satan’s most formidable weapon against us. Through His victory at the cross, and His subsequent resurrection, Satan’s power to condemn Christians is now nullified (John 12:31; Colossians 2:15; Revelation 12:9–11; 20:10, 14).
The victory of Christ over death guarantees us, as believers, immunity from the judgment of our sins (1 Corinthians 15:56). Consequently, we are not to be hurt by the ‘second death’ (Revelation 2:11; 20:6). Stated succinctly in Jesus’ words “[…] He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies. And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die” (John 11:25–26, BSB). As such, a deep understanding of how Jesus Christ triumphed over death brings endless hope, faith, and strength to us all.
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