Over two thousand years ago, a man named Jesus walked the earth, taught transformative truths, and was crucified in full view of the public. Christians celebrate Easter as the day of His resurrection, but for many, this raises a profound question: Is Jesus alive today? How could someone who faced such a brutal and public death rise again? And what does being “alive” mean in this context?
The Question of Life Beyond the Physical
In our material world, we often equate life with physical presence—the heartbeat, the breath, the functioning body. But life isn’t solely physical. The Bible reveals that existence extends beyond what we see and touch. The spiritual realm is just as real, if not more so, than the physical.
Scripture describes Jesus as eternally alive, even before the world began. Philippians 2:5–11 explains that Christ existed as one with God before creation. Similarly, John 1:1–3 declares, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Jesus, as the eternal Son of God, was never absent from existence, even when His earthly body lay in the tomb.
Jesus and the Promise of Eternal Life
Throughout His ministry, Jesus spoke of life that transcends the physical. He proclaimed, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). He offered eternal life to all who believed in Him (John 3:16–18) and made it clear that His kingdom was not of this world (John 18:36).
This theme of eternal life isn’t confined to Jesus’ teachings—it’s woven into the fabric of human creation. Genesis 2:7 recounts how God breathed life into humanity, making humans “living souls.” This divine breath distinguishes human life, endowing it with a spiritual dimension meant to last forever. While the body will eventually die, the spirit endures.
The Resurrection: Jesus’ Triumph Over Death
Jesus’ crucifixion was a moment of profound suffering and sacrifice. His body died, and He was buried in a tomb, but His spirit remained alive. Luke 23:46 records His final words on the cross: “Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit.” Even in death, Jesus was not absent from existence.
The resurrection was the ultimate demonstration of His power over death. On the third day, His spirit rejoined His body, now transformed into a glorified state (Philippians 3:21). More than five hundred people witnessed the risen Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:6), and their testimonies form the foundation of the New Testament. These accounts were written by those who had seen and experienced the living Christ firsthand.
Where Is Jesus Now?
Forty days after His resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven. Acts 1:9–11 recounts how His disciples watched as He rose into the sky and disappeared from sight. This wasn’t a departure into nonexistence but a return to His rightful place with the Father. Jesus Himself had foretold this moment, assuring His followers that He would prepare a place for them in His Father’s house (John 14:1–2).
Today, Jesus is alive in heaven. He sits at the right hand of God (Colossians 3:1), interceding for believers (Hebrews 7:25), and reigning over all creation (Ephesians 4:10). He promised to return again, bringing the hope of eternal life to its ultimate fulfillment (John 14:1–2).
What Jesus’ Life Means for Us
Just as Jesus’ spirit never ceased to exist, our spirits will also endure beyond physical death. Jesus declared, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die” (John 11:25). The choice of where we spend eternity rests on how we respond to His offer of salvation (John 3:16–18).
Jesus’ victory over death offers hope for all who follow Him. “Because I live, you also will live,” He promised (John 14:19). This assurance transforms how we view life and death, reminding us that the end of this earthly existence is not the end of our story. Instead, it’s the beginning of an eternal chapter filled with His presence and love.
In a world often fixated on the tangible, Jesus’ resurrection challenges us to look beyond what we can see. He is alive—not just in history, not just in heaven, but in the lives of those who trust Him. His life invites us into an eternal relationship, built on the unshakable hope that death is not the end but a gateway to life everlasting.
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