Christ’s resurrection was more than a mere resuscitation of life. Jesus raised several persons from the dead (e.g., a young man, Jairus’s daughter, Lazarus). But none of these “resurrections” marked the turning point in history.

Easter Sunday marks the movement from humiliation to exaltation in the work of Christ. During his earthly ministry, Jesus often predicted his resurrection, declaring himself to be the resurrection and the life (John 11:25) and announcing that he would lay his life down and take it up again (10:18; cf. 2:19-21). Jesus Christ rose from the dead by his own power.

But it was not by his power alone. The resurrection is frequently ascribed to the power of God (Acts 2:24, 32; 3:26; 5:30; 1 Cor. 6:14; Eph. 1:20) or more specifically to God the Father (Rom. 6:4; Gal. 1:1). Likewise, the work of the Spirit is implied on Romans 1:3 (“declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit”) and Romans 8:11 (“the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead”). The resurrection took place according to the operation of each member of the Trinity.

Importantly, Christ’s resurrection was more than a mere resuscitation of life. Jesus raised several persons from the dead (e.g., a young man, Jairus’s daughter, Lazarus). But none of these “resurrections” marked the turning point in history. We must ask the question: what makes Christ’s resurrection different, such that he can be called the first fruits of those who sleep (1 Cor. 15:20) and the firstborn from the dead (Col. 1:18; Rev. 1:5)?

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