Today, we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ—an event unparalleled in history. The resurrection changed the lives of those who witnessed it and continues to transform the world in immeasurable ways. If we were to name one pivotal moment in human history, it is undoubtedly the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

This miraculous event is a powerful force that still influences the world today. Even amid growing despair—most visibly linked to the global economic challenges—we find hope in our faith in the risen Lord. There is no room for despair when we hold onto the reality of Christ’s resurrection.

Resurrection: A Reality That Transforms

The resurrection is not only a beacon of hope for life in this world but also the foundation of our hope beyond death and the grave. Let us reflect on the origins of this transformative change.

In today’s Gospel reading, Luke recounts the resurrection. His account aligns in many ways with those of Mark and Matthew. Women went to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body, but they found it empty. Two men in dazzling clothes delivered the incredible message: “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.”

These women were the first to carry the news of the resurrection to the disciples. Yet, Luke tells us that the disciples did not believe them. Their words seemed like an idle tale, for the disciples were still grappling with the trauma of Friday’s horrors. They had neither the mindset nor the capacity to remember Jesus’ words about His death and resurrection. They were still trying to come to terms with what happened on the Friday. The horror and the dreadful scene are still causing the distress.

The very first sermon on the resurrection delivered by the women, was met with scepticism—a reaction that resonates with many even today. The disciples only knew that Jesus had been crucified and buried. However, one act made all the difference: Peter ran to the tomb. Though he found it empty, he still wrestled with the truth. It seemed too good to be true.

It is hard to believe the good news. Peter’s response reflects a broader theme of doubt giving way to belief, a transition we see repeated in the stories of other key witnesses.

This scepticism echoes in today’s world. People readily believe news of chaos and conflict, yet they struggle to accept the message of the resurrection. This reflects the tension of a world blinded to the truth that, despite suffering and darkness, God’s goodness prevails, and God’s victory is ultimate.

Witnesses of the Resurrection
Luke later recounts Jesus’ appearance to His disciples, which transformed them into powerful witnesses of the resurrection after they received the Holy Spirit.

Peter’s testimony in Acts 10 exemplifies this transformation. Speaking to Cornelius’ household, he declared: “We are witnesses to all that Jesus did, both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed Him to appear, not to all the people, but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead.”
Another testimony is from Paul. Paul, once a persecutor of the church, became one of the most eloquent speakers of the resurrection after his encounter with the risen Lord. His writings in 1 Corinthians 15 remain central to understanding the resurrection’s significance. He argues that without Christ’s resurrection, all faith is in vain. Yet, through Jesus’ resurrection, death has been defeated, sin’s stain removed, and new life and hope revealed— even hope for life beyond the grave.
A Legacy of New Life and Hope
It is a powerful text to the Corinthian congregation. The crux of it is why the resurrection matters more than anything else that has happened in history. Paul tries to address some of the misconceptions that prevailed.

Paul argues that if Jesus was not raised from the dead then all the faith of the Corinthians and all of our faith is in vain. Paul’s message to the Corinthians still stands for the rest of the world. That is Jesus rose from the dead. In doing so he defeated death. Paul argues that Adam brought death into the world and Jesus did the opposite. The resurrection of Jesus removed the stain of sin and defeated death. It is all new life and new hope, even hope of a life beyond the grave.

The message of the resurrection began with the women at the tomb, spread to the disciples, and then to more than five hundred witnesses. From that empty tomb, it has reached every corner of the earth, touching countless lives. We are here today because of this message.

If you ever doubt the resurrection’s meaning or impact, consider the imperfect people God used in these stories: Peter, who denied Jesus; Mary, who initially did not recognize the risen Lord; and Paul, a former persecutor of Christians. Each of them was witnesses to the good news of God’s purpose—to bring new life and new hope, both in this world and beyond. Yet God used all these people to spread the good news.

If God worked through these imperfect individuals, then God can surely work through us. God’s call to us is to be bearers of new life and new hope in a world of despair.

Resurrection not only transforms life in this world but also offers hope beyond the grave.