Did Jesus rise from the dead on the third day?

All of Christianity hinges on the answer to this question. If there was no resurrection, there would be no Christianity. That’s why the Apostle’s Creed clearly states this about Jesus Christ, the son of God:  “On the third day he rose again.”

After dying on a Roman cross and having his dead body interred in the tomb of a wealthy Jewish leader, Jesus came back to life. This is the resurrection that has been celebrated by Christians worldwide for almost 2,000 years.  More than 500 people, during a 40-day period, witnessed a living Jesus after he had been crucified, pronounced dead and was buried in a tomb.

Was he really dead? The Romans made no mistakes when they killed someone. They were experts at the art of death. So when a soldier wanted to hasten the death of a man who had already endured a terrible whipping and was bleeding from wounds in his hands and feet, an upward thrusting spear through a lung and into the heart would do the trick. So certain of his death were the soldiers that they didn’t break the legs of Jesus. That was the usual way Roman soldiers finished a crucifixion. They knew that once a man could no longer support himself with his legs, he would suffocate since he could no longer breathe. The soldiers also knew that Jesus wasn’t coming back to claim his robe, so they gambled to determine who would get it.

To ensure that Jesus would stay dead and that his disciples would not try to steal his body and claim he came back from the dead, the tomb was sealed and soldiers were tasked with guarding it. To fail in the task of guarding the tomb, the guards risked execution.

Yet, three days later, Jesus appeared to his disciples, to several women, to two men walking on the road to Emmaus, to a doubting Thomas, and to two others. Jesus was definitely dead and he was definitely resurrected.

His disciples witnessed his ascension into heaven. So yes, Jesus is definitely alive. It is his power and authority that holds every atom in the universe together. One day Jesus will return to earth just like he left it to rule and reign as King of kings. Given the events of these times, it could be soon. Are you ready?

If you would like to understand the significance of Jesus coming back from the dead and become part of the family of believers who know the assurance of an eternity that is free of guilt, pain and death, the read our post, How Can I Become A Christian?

The Apostles Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.