What Jesus’ Death and Resurrection Accomplished

Whenever I reflect on the cross and the empty tomb, I’m struck by how vast and comprehensive the work of Christ truly is. The Death and Resurrection of Jesus are not only the emotional centerpiece of the whole biblical story, but they are the theological foundation upon which the entire Christian faith rests (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Every soteriological doctrine of redemption, reconciliation, and restoration finds its fulfillment in those two historical events.

Christ’s death was not a tragic accident of history, nor was His resurrection a mere symbol of hope. Both were divine acts within the eternal plan of God Almighty – a plan conceived before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4) and executed with flawless precision. The Cross satisfied divine justice, upheld the holiness of God, and displayed His boundless love. The Resurrection vindicated Christ’s righteousness, validated His atoning work, and inaugurated the new creation.

What follows is a survey of the immeasurable riches of the Gospel. Each truth reveals another facet of what God accomplished through His Son – the conquering of sin, the reconciliation of enemies (us as His elect), the triumph over death, and ultimately the renewal of all things. Together they testify that salvation is entirely of the Lord, accomplished fully in Christ, and applied by the Spirit to all who believe.

As I study these truths, I am reminded that Christianity is not built upon moral aspiration or religious sentiment. It is built upon historical events interpreted through divine revelation – the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. To understand what those events achieved is to grasp the heartbeat of the Christian faith itself.

1. He satisfied the justice and wrath of God against sin.
   God’s righteous anger toward sin was fully poured out on Christ, satisfying divine justice so that we might be spared. (Romans 3:25-26; 1 John 2:2)
2. He paid the full penalty for sin, once for all.
   Jesus’ sacrifice was perfect and complete – no more offerings are needed, because His blood fully covers every believer. (Hebrews 10:10-14; 1 Peter 3:18)
3. He bore our sins in His body on the cross.
   Jesus personally carried the weight and guilt of our sins so that we could die to sin and live to righteousness. (1 Peter 2:24; Isaiah 53:5-6)
4. He reconciled sinful humanity to God.
   Through the cross, Jesus brought peace between God and mankind, restoring the relationship that sin had broken. (Romans 5:10-11; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19; Colossians 1:20-22)
5. He removed the barrier of sin that separated us from God.
   Our sins once stood as a wall of separation, but Jesus tore it down, opening the way for fellowship with the Father. (Ephesians 2:13-16; Hebrews 9:26)
6. He redeemed us from slavery to sin and Satan.
   By His death, Jesus purchased us out of bondage and set us free to serve Him as our new Master. (Mark 10:45; Galatians 3:13; Titus 2:14)
7. He disarmed and triumphed over Satan and the powers of darkness.
   At the cross, the enemy’s authority was broken forever, and Christ emerged victorious over all evil. (Colossians 2:14-15; Hebrews 2:14-15)
8. He broke the curse of the Law and fulfilled it perfectly.
   We could never keep God’s law, but Christ did so on our behalf, freeing us from the curse of condemnation. (Galatians 3:13; Romans 8:3-4)
9. He inaugurated the New Covenant in His blood.
   Through His death, Jesus established a new and better covenant, written on our hearts and sealed with His own blood. (Luke 22:20; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 9:15)
10. He demonstrated the love of God in the clearest possible way.
    The cross is the ultimate proof that God loves sinners and is willing to go to any length to save them. (Romans 5:8; John 15:13; 1 John 4:9-10)
11. He secured forgiveness for all who believe in Him.
    Every sin – past, present, and future – is wiped clean through faith in Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 1:7; Acts 10:43; Colossians 1:14)
12. He made justification possible – declaring believers righteous before God.
    Because of Jesus, we are no longer condemned but counted righteous through His finished work. (Romans 4:25; Romans 5:1, 9)
13. He provided access to God’s presence.
    The veil was torn from top to bottom, showing that every believer can now approach God directly. (Hebrews 10:19-22; Matthew 27:51)
14. He demonstrated perfect obedience to the Father.
    Jesus obeyed every command, even to death, proving faithful where Adam and all others failed. (Philippians 2:8; John 17:4; Romans 5:19)
15. He became our High Priest and eternal intercessor.
    Jesus continually pleads on our behalf, ensuring that our salvation is secure forever. (Hebrews 4:14-16; 7:24-25)
16. He removed the sting and power of death.
    Death no longer has the final word; through Jesus’ resurrection, believers will also rise to eternal life. (1 Corinthians 15:54-57; 2 Timothy 1:10)
17. He rose from the dead as proof of His divinity and victory.
    The resurrection confirms that Jesus is the Son of God and that His sacrifice was accepted. (Romans 1:4; Acts 2:32-36)
18. He guaranteed the resurrection of all believers. Because Christ lives, we too will rise and share in His eternal glory. (1 Corinthians 15:20-23; John 11:25-26)
19. He ensured the believer’s justification by His resurrection.
    His rising from the grave is God’s declaration that our debt has been paid in full. (Romans 4:25)
20. He secured the gift of the Holy Spirit.
    The risen Christ sent His Spirit to indwell and empower all who trust in Him. (John 16:7; Acts 2:33; Galatians 4:6)
21. He made believers new creations, alive with Him.
    Through His resurrection power, our old selves have died, and we now live new lives in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:4-6; Romans 6:4)
22. He became the firstfruits of those who will rise from the dead.
    His resurrection is the first in a great harvest of those who belong to Him. (1 Corinthians 15:20-22)
23. He now reigns as King over all creation.
    Jesus sits at the right hand of God, ruling every power, nation, and kingdom. (Matthew 28:18; Ephesians 1:20-22; Revelation 19:16)
24. He is preparing a place for His people and will return for them.
    The risen Lord is coming again to gather His followers into eternal fellowship. (John 14:2-3; Acts 1:11)
25. He secured eternal life for all who trust in Him.
    Salvation is not temporary but everlasting for those united with Christ. (John 3:16; John 17:3; 1 John 5:11-12)
26. He made peace between God and man.
    We were once enemies, but God has brought peace through Christ, reconciling us to Himself. (Romans 5:1; Colossians 1:20)
27. He destroyed the works of the devil.
    Every scheme of Satan is ultimately defeated by the finished work of Christ. (1 John 3:8)
28. He sanctifies His people and makes them holy.
    The same power that raised Christ from the dead now works to make believers more like Him. (Hebrews 10:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:23)
29. He unites all believers into one body – the Church.
    Through the cross, Jesus brought Jew and Gentile together as one new people. (Ephesians 2:14-16; 1 Corinthians 12:13)
30. He will one day restore all things and make creation new.
    Christ’s victory will culminate in a renewed world where righteousness dwells forever. (Romans 8:20-21; Revelation 21:4-5)

These truths are far more than theological ideas. They are good news for every person, revealing that Jesus took our place on the cross, defeated death, and opened the way for anyone to be made right with God. Every one of them shows how far He was willing to go to save us.

If you already know Christ, let these truths move you to worship and gratitude. But if you’ve never surrendered your life to Him, understand that this same Jesus offers eternal life to you right now. The tomb is empty, the Savior lives, and He calls you to follow Him in faith and repentance. To learn more about what it means to know Jesus personally, visit this page.