The Hope Of A Double Resurrection

We are living through a moment that will be written about in history books. You will tell your grandkids about the time the world shut down. Documentaries will retell the story for generations to come.

It’s tempting to dwell on the weight of the global pandemic, but I would encourage you to step back. There is a far greater historical moment that you should be thinking about this week. It’s the most significant event in the history of the universe.

It’s the bodily resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Everything in the Bible, everything that your faith relies on, and all of your reasons for hope rest on this day. If there is not a specific point in time where Jesus walked out of the tomb, then your religion is a waste of time. The book that we call the Word of God wouldn’t be worth the paper that it is written on.

This is the argument the Apostle Paul makes in 1 Corinthians 15: “And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain […] And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.” (vv. 14, 17-19, ESV)

Because of this factual and historical miracle, as believers in Jesus Christ, we get to experience a double resurrection. 

First, we are resurrected out of our spiritual deadness (Ephesians 2:1), and we become spiritually alive in this life. The Bible describes your life today with a beautiful word – abundant! (John 10:10) Your heart is soft, your mind is alive, and your soul desires obedience to Christ.

You have been raised to life so you can experience the beauty and glory of the gospel right here, right now.

There’s a second resurrection. It’s that final moment when we will be resurrected out of this horrible, broken, and groaning world to live forever in a world of righteousness and peace and harmony. There will be no virus, no suffering, no death, and no sin. We will live with our Savior forever and ever.

If Jesus did not rise, there is no double resurrection for us.

Turn back to 1 Corinthians 15. I love how the passage continues: “Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” (vv. 24-26)

What does this mean? Jesus is now reigning between the “already” of the first resurrection and the “not yet” of the second resurrection.

In confusing and unpredictable moments like we’re now living through, you don’t have to wonder what your Lord is doing. He is reigning as King, putting all of his enemies under his feet.

That final enemy will be death, and when death is under his feet, he will say to the Father, “All things are now ready.”

This week, may your heart be filled with the hope and joy knowing that Jesus did, at a certain point in time in history, walk out of that tomb victorious over death.

Because he did, you have life now and life forever. That victory over death guarantees your victory today over sin and secures the ultimate triumph in the end. Christ today reigns on your behalf, defeating enemies you could not overcome.

God bless

Paul Tripp

Reflection Questions

1. How have you experienced the first resurrection? What are some of the passions of the flesh and desires of the body and the mind (Eph. 2:3) that have been put to death by the grace of God?

2. What are some idols and struggles that currently prevent you from experiencing an even more abundant life in Christ today?

3. How does the Empty Tomb give you practical hope for battling against these sins as you wait for the second resurrection?

4. How can Easter Sunday motivate you to be an ambassador for Christ during these tough times? What can you specifically do and say to represent the Risen Savior this week?