Redemption through Paschal Mystery—The Resurrection Affirms that Christ Fulfills His Promises
We pray in the Nicene Creed that Christ “rose from the dead, in accordance with Scriptures.” Although it was not immediately apparent even to the Apostles, Christ’s Resurrection was foretold in Scripture and was the key event in accomplishing the promised redemption. The Resurrection affirms that Jesus Christ fulfilled his own promises. It is seen as the ultimate validation of his teachings, divinity, and mission to save humanity by conquering sin and death. His resurrection proves his divine authority and fulfills all the predictions made in the Scriptures, demonstrating that he is "the Resurrection and the Life". The resurrection also validates earlier Old Testament promises about the Messiah, confirming God's faithfulness to his word.
CCC 652: “Christ's Resurrection is the fulfilment of the promises both of the Old Testament and of Jesus himself during his earthly life. The phrase "in accordance with the Scriptures" indicates that Christ's Resurrection fulfilled these predictions.”
Christ had openly predicted his Resurrection may times. For example, just before his Transfiguration, immediately after St. Peter confessed his faith that Jesus was “the Christ,” the promised Messiah, Christ had warned the Apostles that he would suffer, be rejected by the religious authorities, be killed, and then rise again three days later (See Mk 8: 31). Right after the Transfiguration, while on the way down mountain, he told the three witnesses not to speak about what they had seen “until the Son of Man should have been risen from the dead” (See Mk 9:9). Later, as the time for his Passion drew near and he announced to his Apostles that he was going to Jerusalem, he told them:
“Then he took the Twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem and everything written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. He will be handed over to the Gentiles and he will be mocked and insulted and spat upon; and after they have scourged him, they will kill him, but on the third day he will rise” (Lk 18: 31-33)
He also had foretold his own Resurrection with a metaphor that his hearers failed to understand. In the Gospel of St. John, after Christ had driven the merchants and moneychangers out of the Temple area he said:
“At this the Jews answered and said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the temple of his body. Therefore, when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they came to believe the scripture and the word Jesus had spoken” (Jn 2: 18-22).
The resurrection proves Jesus is the Son of God and validates all his teachings, even those that human reason cannot fully grasp. By rising from the dead, Jesus provides definitive proof of his divine authority and that he is truly "I Am" as he claimed. Jesus' statement to Martha in John 11:25 that "I am the resurrection and the life" is seen as a direct promise fulfilled by his own resurrection. And on the road to Emmaus, where the risen Christ walked with a couple of disciples who did not initially recognize him, Christ said:
“Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the scriptures” (Lk 24: 25-27).
The resurrection is not just a happy ending but the central event of why Jesus came—to save humanity from sin and death by conquering them. It is the basis for the Christian hope that all who believe will also be resurrected to life. It is the promise of a new, glorified, and resurrected body for believers in the future
“Dear children! This is a time of grace, a time of mercy for each of you. Little children, do not permit that the wind of hatred and placelessness rule in you and around you. You, little children, are called to be love and prayer. The devil wants placelessness and disorder, but you, little children, be the joy of the risen Jesus who died and resurrected for each of you. He conquered death to give you life, eternal life. Therefore, little children, witness and be proud that you have resurrected in Him. Thank you for having responded to my call.”
