What is Resurrection?

The word ‘resurrection’ often refers to bringing something back to life, either metaphorically or literally. It might remind you of things thought lost forever, like the vinyl record which has made a surprising comeback, or the caterpillar’s transformation into a butterfly. The caterpillar completely breaks down inside the chrysalis before being reborn in a new form.

Sadly, many of us will have seen the terrible wildfires in California that destroyed large areas of homes and countryside. It’s hard to imagine how it would be possible for anything to recover from such devastation. Southern Turkey also suffered wildfires in 2021 that wiped out large areas of trees and bushes. But one year on, green shoots started to emerge; life started returning, born again from the death of what once was. In a strange twist of nature, some plants need events like these to enable them to thrive.

Around Easter time many Christians will be thinking about the greatest ever resurrection – that of Jesus being raised to life again three days after he was crucified. And not only did God raise Jesus from the dead, but he was now immortal.

This resurrection record is as important today as it was when it happened 2000 years ago. It’s important because it brings hope to each and.every one of us – hope that our mortal lives are not the end – through belief in God and Jesus we too can experience resurrection and transformation. God has done this for Jesus, He can do it for us too.

The Bible tells us that...

• Jesus is the first to be resurrected, but there will be others (1 Corinthians ch15 v20)
• We can be raised to be immortal, like Jesus (1 Corinthians ch15 v52)
• When Jesus returns to the earth, the resurrection of the dead will happen (1 John ch3 v2)

Now, imagine how wonderful it will be when this happens – the amazing hope of resurrection for those who believe in Jesus.