There is eternal hope in the central miracle of God’s redemption story—the resurrection of Jesus.

Prophets looked forward to the resurrection long before it took place. Witnesses reported their encounters with Jesus after he rose from the grave. Others later testified to the power of the cross and the gift of eternal life. Although from very different backgrounds, perspectives, and time periods, the saints who came before us were unified in their realization of God’s message of salvation.

Prophets Predicted with Anticipation

Throughout the Old Testament, prophets foretold Christ’s work on earth. Although the events would not take place for hundreds of years, they spoke prophetically with great faith and promise.

The book of Isaiah, written approximately 700 years before Jesus was born, says:

The Lord says,


“It was my will that he should suffer;


his death was a sacrifice to bring forgiveness.


And so he will see his descendants;


he will live a long life,


and through him my purpose will succeed.”


Isaiah 53:10

Witnesses Worshiped in Awe

Those who witnessed Jesus’s death experienced the trauma of watching their beloved friend and leader die. Seeing Jesus alive again evoked a response beyond words.

Matthew tells of two women’s encounter with the risen Christ:

“Suddenly Jesus met them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ They came up to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him.”


Matthew 28:9

Followers Proclaimed with Power

Peter continued to celebrate the resurrection by preaching the power of Jesus’s victory over death. He joyfully proclaimed the hope found in God’s mercy and eagerly looked forward to an eternal life spent with him.

“Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! Because of his great mercy he gave us new life by raising Jesus Christ from death. This fills us with a living hope, and so we look forward to possessing the rich blessings that God keeps for his people.”


1 Peter 1:3-4a

These are just a few of the Bible’s recorded accounts where prophets, witnesses, and followers spoke of Jesus’s resurrection. Anticipation and hope were loud and clear. So were joy, worship, and eternal life. What an inspiration!

How Do You Respond to the Resurrection?

What feelings do you have when you consider Jesus’s resurrection? Do you think of being rescued and receiving an inheritance of eternal life? Does it bring to mind thoughts of joy and worship? Do you feel victorious?

It has been more than 2,000 years since Jesus rose from the grave. Yet this timeless miracle is as relevant and life-changing today as ever before. This Easter, let us rejoice together with all the saints as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.

“At all times we carry in our mortal bodies the death of Jesus, so that his life also may be seen in our bodies.”

2 Corinthians 4:10