November 2, 2025: Redemption through Paschal Mystery—The Resurrection confirms that Christ is God (Part 4)
The New Testament is filled with direct and indirect claims of Christ’s divinity. Perhaps the most famous is the beginning of the Gospel of John: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be.” (John 1:1-3). Jesus is the word made flesh. Jesus is God.
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus generally kept his identity hidden, not only his identity as the Messiah but also his identity as the Son of God, the Incarnate Word. But there were occasions when he, in fact, did reveal this truth, particularly in various instances wherein he applied to himself the divine name, “I AM” (See Jn 8:58). These affirmations and other more subtle hints at his divinity were confirmed and verified by the Resurrection.
CCC 653: “The truth of Jesus' divinity is confirmed by his Resurrection. He had said: "When you have lifted up the Son of man, then you will know that I am he." The Resurrection of the crucified one shows that he was truly "I AM", the Son of God and God himself. So St. Paul could declare to the Jews: "What God promised to the fathers, this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus; as also it is written in the second psalm, 'You are my Son, today I have begotten you.'" Christ's Resurrection is closely linked to the Incarnation of God's Son, and is its fulfillment in accordance with God's eternal plan.”
Only God has power over death. If Christ rose from the dead, he really is who he claimed to be: The Son of God. If Christ is the Son of God, everyone can believe all he taught with confidence. His words about himself, the Father, and the Holy Spirit are trustworthy. People can believe what he taught about to live their lives. The Church he established teaches the truth, and the Sacraments are fountains of grace.
CCC 651: "If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain." The Resurrection above all constitutes the confirmation of all Christ's works and teachings. All truths, even those most inaccessible to human reason, find their justification if Christ by his Resurrection has given the definitive proof of his divine authority, which he had promised.”
Jesus’ resurrection is the fulfillment and verification not only of his own promises, which he made during his public ministry, but it is also the fulfillment of the promises made throughout the Old Testament. In 1 Corinthians 15, St. Paul speaks repeatedly about how Jesus’ actions—including his Resurrection—happened “in accordance with the Scriptures.”
CCC 652: “Christ's Resurrection is the fulfillment 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.”
The Resurrection imprints a kind of seal of victory on every human effort performed in the name of Jesus Christ. Because our Savior conquered sin and death by rising from the dead, everything done or suffered to promote his Kingdom will prove fruitful in the end. In light of Christ’s victory, St. Paul writes: “ We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” (Rom 8: 28)
Perhaps the greatest confirmation of the victory of the Resurrection is the lives of the saints. Many of their days were marked by suffering and hardships; at the same time, they reflected Christ in their lives and attracted many others to him. The joy, peace, and love manifested in the lives of conscientious Christians attest to the power of the Resurrection working through the supernatural grace obtained by the redemption. The Resurrection gives great confidence to “go out to all the world and tell the good news.”
—Deacon Gerry Flamm
