The Gospel and the Resurrection
The Gospel and the Resurrection
An Easter Message
The word gospel means good news, but in the ancient world that phrase already had political meaning. The Roman Empire used the word gospel for imperial announcements. Inscriptions celebrated the birth or reign of Caesar as “good news” for the world. Caesar was even called divine and sometimes son of god in imperial propaganda.
But Caesar was a son of men claiming to be divine.
Jesus Christ was the Son of God who humbled Himself and called Himself the Son of Man.
Scripture declares His eternal nature:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
— John 1:1
And then the astonishing statement:
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.”
— John 1:14
God entered human history.
⸻
The Problem the Gospel Solves
The gospel begins with a truth many people resist.
Human beings are morally guilty before God.
The law of God reveals that reality. Scripture says:
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
— Romans 3:23
And the consequence is clear:
“For the wages of sin is death.”
— Romans 6:23
James explains how serious God’s law is:
“Whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”
— James 2:10
This is why the law acts as a tutor leading us to Christ.
“The law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ.”
— Galatians 3:24
The law exposes our need for mercy.
⸻
Why Judgment Has Not Yet Fallen
Someone might ask: if the wages of sin is death, why are we still alive?
Scripture answers that question with the patience of God.
“The Lord is… longsuffering… not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
— 2 Peter 3:9
God delays judgment because He desires repentance.
⸻
Christ Comes with Truth, Not Force
Earthly rulers impose authority by force.
Christ came with truth and invitation.
Jesus said:
“Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
— John 8:32
But the truth is difficult for the human heart because it requires humility.
It begins with recognizing our sin, our need, and God’s authority.
⸻
The Demonstration of Divine Authority
Jesus did not merely speak. He demonstrated power.
He healed the sick.
He opened blind eyes.
He calmed storms.
He raised the dead.
The apostle John said the works of Jesus were so numerous that:
“The world itself could not contain the books that should be written.”
— John 21:25
But all of those miracles pointed to one central event.
The resurrection.
⸻
Why the Resurrection Is Essential
The resurrection is not an optional part of the gospel.
It is the foundation of it.
The apostle Paul wrote:
“If Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:14
And even more directly:
“If Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:17
Without the resurrection, Christianity collapses.
Without the resurrection:
• Jesus would simply be another teacher who died
• His claims about divine authority would be false
• His sacrifice would not defeat death
• The gospel would be nothing more than false hope
But if the resurrection happened, everything changes.
Because it proves that Jesus is exactly who He claimed to be.
⸻
The Earliest Eyewitness Evidence
The resurrection is not presented in Scripture as a mystical idea or symbolic story. It is presented as a historical event witnessed by many people.
Paul records an early historical summary of eyewitnesses:
“He was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve… after that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:5–6
This statement was written while many of those witnesses were still alive.
In other words, the claim could be investigated.
⸻
Non-Biblical Historical Sources
The resurrection is also supported indirectly by non-Christian historical sources who confirmed the central facts surrounding Jesus and the early Christian movement.
Tacitus (Roman historian, AD 56–120)
Tacitus wrote about Jesus and His execution under Pontius Pilate:
“Christus… suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilate.”
Tacitus was not a Christian. Yet he confirmed that Jesus lived and was executed.
⸻
Josephus (Jewish historian, AD 37–100)
Josephus wrote about Jesus and the early Christian movement:
“At this time there was a wise man called Jesus… Pilate condemned him to be crucified.”
Josephus also recorded that His followers continued to proclaim Him alive.
⸻
Pliny the Younger (Roman governor, AD 112)
Pliny described Christians worshiping Christ as God:
“They were accustomed to meet on a fixed day before dawn and sing responsively a hymn to Christ as to a god.”
This shows that very early Christians believed Jesus was divine and alive.
⸻
Lucian of Samosata (Greek satirist)
Lucian mocked Christians but acknowledged their beliefs:
He described them as people who worshiped a man who had been crucified and who believed they would live forever.
Even critics confirmed that early Christians believed in the resurrection.
⸻
The Historical Facts Most Scholars Accept
Across theological backgrounds, historians widely agree on several facts:
1. Jesus was crucified under Pontius Pilate
2. His tomb was found empty
3. Many people believed they saw Him alive afterward
4. The disciples were transformed from fearful men into bold witnesses
5. The early church exploded across the Roman world despite persecution
These are not merely theological claims.
They are historical observations.
The question is how to explain them.
⸻
The Burden of Proof
In most historical cases we accept events based on far less evidence than exists for the resurrection.
Many ancient historical figures are accepted based on only a few manuscripts written centuries later.
But the New Testament has thousands of early manuscripts and was written within the lifetime of eyewitnesses.
In addition to the documents themselves, we have:
• hostile sources confirming key facts
• the rapid growth of the early church
• the willingness of witnesses to die rather than deny what they saw
Taken together, the resurrection meets and exceeds the historical standard used for many accepted events in ancient history.
⸻
Why Some Still Reject It
Despite the evidence, Jesus predicted many would reject Him.
Scripture calls Him:
“A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence.”
— 1 Peter 2:8
Jesus said:
“Whosoever shall fall upon this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.”
— Matthew 21:44
The issue is not simply evidence.
It is the implications of the evidence.
Because if Jesus truly rose from the dead, then He has authority over every human life.
⸻
What the Resurrection Means
The resurrection means:
Death is defeated.
Sin is paid for.
And eternal life is possible.
Jesus said:
“I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.”
— John 11:25
Salvation comes through trusting Him.
Scripture explains:
“If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
— Romans 10:9
⸻
The Real Good News
The gospel is good news because God offers mercy.
God is real.
God is just.
We have violated His law.
The penalty is death.
But God sent His Son.
Christ lived the life we could not live.
He died the death we deserved.
And on the third day He rose again.
Because He lives, forgiveness is possible.
Because He lives, death is not the end.
Because He lives, those who believe become children of God.
Scripture says:
“As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God.”
— John 1:12
⸻
The Easter Invitation
Easter is not merely a celebration of spring or tradition.
It is the remembrance of the greatest event in human history.
The empty tomb.
Christ is risen.
And because He lives, hope is real.