More Than Believing Jesus Existed

Reflection

I remember one day while I was at work, a customer started talking to me about her religion. I had never heard of it before, but it seemed to be a mixture of Buddhism and other beliefs. As the conversation continued, I thought it would be a good opportunity to share my faith in Jesus Christ.

What surprised me was when she told me she believed in Jesus too.

At first, that sounded encouraging. She spoke highly of Him and had kind things to say about Him. Yet as the conversation went on, it became clear that we were not talking about the same Jesus. The Jesus she described was a teacher, an enlightened man, and one spiritual guide among many. The Jesus I was speaking about was the Son of God who died for our sins and rose again from the dead.

That conversation came back to my mind when reading these verses in 1 Corinthians.

More Than Historical Belief

There are many people who believe that Jesus existed. Historians acknowledge His existence, and countless religions have incorporated some version of Jesus into their beliefs. Yet believing that Jesus was a real person is not the same as believing the gospel.

Paul understood that the resurrection is not a secondary issue. It is not a detail that can be removed while keeping Christianity intact. In fact, Paul argues the exact opposite. If Christ has not been raised, then our faith is empty, our sins remain unforgiven, and those who have died trusting in Him have no hope at all.

The resurrection is not merely evidence that Jesus performed a miracle. It is the declaration that His sacrifice was accepted by God. The cross and the empty tomb belong together. Christ died for our sins, but He did not remain in the grave. He rose victorious over sin, death, and the grave itself.

The Dividing Line

This is why the resurrection was such a central part of the apostles' message.

When Paul stood before the philosophers at Mars' Hill in Athens, he preached about Jesus and the resurrection. Many of his listeners were interested as long as the discussion remained philosophical. Yet when Paul spoke of a man rising from the dead, some mocked him while others postponed making a decision. The resurrection became the dividing line between those willing to believe and those unwilling to accept God's testimony concerning His Son.

In many ways, little has changed.

People are often comfortable discussing Jesus as a moral teacher, a prophet, or an example to follow. The difficulty comes when we proclaim the risen Christ. The resurrection demands a response because it confirms who Jesus truly is. If He rose from the dead, then He is exactly who He claimed to be.

The Beginning of Victory

For believers, the resurrection is not merely a historical event to defend. It is a source of tremendous comfort and hope. Because Christ lives, our sins have been forgiven. Because Christ lives, death does not have the final word. Because Christ lives, those who have trusted in Him will one day be raised as well.

Paul later calls Christ the "firstfruits" of them that slept. His resurrection is not the end of the story. It is the beginning. Just as Christ rose from the dead, all who belong to Him will share in that victory. The grave that seems so final today will not remain closed forever.

Our Savior is not a memory from history. He is alive.
He reigns today, and He will return exactly as He promised.

When life is difficult, when grief weighs heavily upon us, and when the future feels uncertain, the resurrection reminds us that our hope is secure.

Before You Go

The resurrection is not simply a doctrine to believe. It is the foundation of our hope. Without it, Christianity offers no victory over death, no assurance of forgiveness, and no promise of eternal life. But because Christ rose from the grave, everything changes.

The next time you hear someone speak highly of Jesus, remember that the most important question is not whether they believe He existed. The question is whether they believe who He claimed to be. The risen Christ stands at the center of the gospel message, and every person must decide what they will do with Him.

As you go through today, take comfort in this truth: the tomb is still empty. The same Savior who walked out of the grave is the One who holds your future in His hands. Because He lives, your hope is not wishful thinking. It is a certainty anchored in the finished work of a risen King.