Catechism – Week 15 – Jesus’ Resurrection

Why Did Jesus Rise from the Dead and Ascend to Heaven?

The resurrection of Jesus is the most important issue of Christianity and there are many more answers to this question than will be discussed here. Also, the resurrection changes how we think about every aspect of life. We will only discuss a couple things here.

1 Corinthians 15:21 – For as by a man [Adam] came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. (ESV)

How has death come by a man?
Adam earned death by sin. When we sin we join Adam and have earned death.

How has Jesus changed this?
Because Jesus has died our death (see week 14), if we are in Christ we will join Christ in being resurrected.

Jesus’ resurrection gives us confidence that we also will rise from the dead.

Philippians 2:8-9a – And being found in human form, [Jesus] humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him. (ESV)

What brought about Jesus resurrection?
While people thought Jesus was guilty of doing wrong things, the resurrection shows us that Jesus was righteous. Where in Adam we disobey God, Christ was perfectly obedient. He lived the life we should have lived.

So why was he resurrected to ascend into heaven?
The resurrection and ascension is the Father’s exaltation of Jesus’ perfect obedience. The resurrection shows that Jesus is affirmed by God. The ascension shows that Jesus is reigning over the world. The resurrection and ascension show that Christ is in control and reigning.

Scripture Memory Verse:

1 Cor. 15:17 – And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. (ESV)

Why did Jesus rise from the dead and ascend into heaven?
Jesus rose from the dead to show that we also will rise and to show that God the Father affirmed his ministry.

Adults and older students are encouraged to receive a fuller explanation from Dr. Tim Tennent (President of Asbury Theological Seminary) by clicking this link.