There’s a song by the same title written by Robet Lowry that is sung at the time of the year when the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is front and center. The first verse and chorus go like this:

Low in the grave He lay
Jesus my Savior!
Waiting the coming day
Jesus my Lord!

Up from the grave He arose
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes
He arose a Victor from the dark domain
And He lives forever with His saints to reign
He arose! (He arose)
He arose! (He arose)
Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Many people wonder why this is so special, so the apostle Paul outlined the “why” for us.

1 Corinthians 15:14–19 (ESV) — 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

There really is not anything for which to live if this life is all there is. But there is hope and the hope is found in the seal of God upon the work of the Lord Jesus Christ in bringing salvation through His dying for our sins, in His assuring us of the resurrection of the dead, and of the hope of eternity with God.

Romans 1:3–4 (ESV) — 3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,

Therefore, the Gospel or good news that we proclaim is very simple….

1 Corinthians 15:3–8 (ESV) — 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.

Notice that Jesus died, was buried, and He arose from the dead and all according to the Scriptures. But notice we also see witnesses of the fact that He was risen from the dead. There is Cephas aka “Peter,” the twelve aka “the disciples,” over five hundred brothers, James, the apostles, and last of all to Paul.

Do we have a witness? Yes we do.  This is Peter making his statement before a multitude gathered in Jerusalem:

Acts 2:21–36 (ESV) — 21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ 22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 25 For David says concerning him, “ ‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; 26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. 27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’ 29 “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, 35 until I make your enemies your footstool.” ’ 36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

Peter, who was so timid in front of the accusers of Jesus that he denied his allegiance to Him but now before a great throng of people he is bold in his witness. Of course, we know the power is the work of the Holy Spirit but along with that power is the power of the truth as a witness of the fact that Peter saw, walked with, talked with, and ate with the risen Lord Jesus Christ.

If Jesus is as witnesses proclaim, “risen from the dead,” that means He spoke the truth and the truth that He spoke must be believed. Otherwise, as He told the religious leaders that due to their unbelief they would die in their sins.

John 8:24 (ESV) — 24 I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.”

John 20:30–31 (ESV) — 30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Up from the grave He arose. It’s the truth and can be, and should be, believed. If He has risen from the dead, which He has, He is truth and the only means of approaching God.

John 14:6 (ESV) — 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Enjoy this truth as you sing about and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Godspeed,

Bob Brubaker, Pastor

Christ Community Presbyterian Church

Clearwater, FL