1. Role of Women in Proclamation of God’s Kingdom: God’s radical view of women was against the culture of the day (“both Jewish and Roman law severely minimized the value of their witness,” IVP Commentary, Craig S. Keener, p-124). The womenfolk of those days were deemed needless in the legal court of law but God chose them to be his first witnesses (Matthew 28:7). In fact, the Jewish Historian Josephus even claims that “the Torah rejects women’s testimony in view of the weakness of their gender.” (IVP Commentary, Craig S. Keener, p-124). The Resurrection, then, give a whole new light into seeing the role of women in the proclamation of the Gospel (Galatians 3:28).
2. Authentication of the Gospel Writers(Evangelists): This point has been argued by Christian apologists like William Lane Craig stating that if the Gospels were a myth, it is unlikely that the evangelists would put womenfolk at the forefront (in the light of the Jewish and Roman Patriarchal society) of witnessing Jesus’ bodily resurrection. In other words, the resurrection story proves that the Bible is true and can be trusted.
3. Pre- & Post-Resurrection Demeanor of the Disciples: The disciples were radically bold and courageous post-resurrection (Acts 2:31, 32). They were willing to die for the sake of their faith and conviction (Acts 4:10; Acts 17:32; Acts 25:19; Acts 26:8). Pre-resurrection, they were timid, fearful and skeptical (Luke 24:21-24, “Two Disciples expressing their disappointment on the road to Emmaus,” and John 20:25, “Apostle Thomas expression of doubt about Jesus’ bodily Resurrection”). This, then, proves that the Resurrection of Jesus was the only possible answer behind their extraordinary change of demeanor.
4. Jesus’ Resurrection as the Hope of New Creation: 1 Corinthians 15:22 states, “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” As the sin of Adam brought sin and death to the world, so in Christ (in the context of His Resurrection), all will be made alive. In other words, the resurrection of Christ gives hope to humankind for a new creation (a new body and a new world) (1 Corinthians 15:51-57; Romans 8:20-23). As humanity yearns for new creation, Jesus’ Resurrection gives hope to humanity’s desire for life.
5. Authentication of Jesus’ Lordship: 1 Corinthians 15:26 says, “The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” The Resurrection is the proof of Jesus’ victory over death (Revelation 1:18). The ultimate decision of your destiny is not in Satan’s but God’s hands.
6. Authentication of Jesus’ Words: In John 11:25a, Jesus declares “I’m the resurrection and the Life.” No human would utter such nonsensical words. Imagine Jesus did not rise from the dead? We can declare him a phony or a liar! But, He did rise from the dead and therefore, He proves to be faithful to His own words.
7. Acceptance of Jesus’ Resurrection annihilates death: The important question to ask in this Holy Week is, “How do I attain this resurrection?” In John 11:25b, 26a, Jesus declares, “The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.” In the Christian world, physical death is merely termed as “sleep” (John 11:11; 1 Corinthians 15:51), the term “death” is the death of people who are lost without Christ.
The question that Jesus asks you today is, “Do you believe this?” (John 11:26)
