The Resurrection of Jesus in the Old Testament and Its Redemptive-Historical Significance

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1. The Prophecy of Jesus’ Resurrection in the Old Testament

The Old Testament does not explicitly state, “Jesus will rise from the dead,” but it foreshadows His resurrection through various prophecies and typologies.

(1) The Sign of Jonah (Jonah 1:17, Matthew 12:39-40)

Jesus referred to Jonah’s experience as a sign of His death and resurrection.

  • Jonah 1:17 – “Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.”

  • Matthew 12:40 – “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”
    ➡ Jonah’s deliverance from the fish symbolizes Jesus’ resurrection.

(2) The Psalms of David (Psalm 16:10, Acts 2:25-31)

  • Psalm 16:10 – “For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.”

  • In Acts 2:27-31, Peter interprets this Psalm as a prophecy of Jesus’ resurrection.
    ➡ This verse indicates that Jesus’ body would not decay in the grave but would rise again.

(3) The Story of Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 22, Hebrews 11:19)

  • When Abraham was about to offer Isaac as a sacrifice, God spared him and provided a substitute.

  • Hebrews 11:19 – “He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.”
    ➡ This event foreshadows God raising His own Son from the dead.

(4) Hosea’s Prophecy (Hosea 6:2)

  • Hosea 6:2 – “After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live before Him.”
    ➡ This verse is seen as a prophetic reference to the resurrection of the Messiah and God’s salvation plan.

2. The Redemptive-Historical Significance of Jesus’ Resurrection

The resurrection of Jesus is central to the Christian faith and has profound redemptive significance.

(1) Proof That Jesus Is the True Messiah

  • The resurrection confirms that Jesus is truly the Son of God.

  • Romans 1:4 – “And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.”

(2) Victory Over Sin and Death

  • Sin brought death into the world, but Jesus’ resurrection signifies victory over death.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 – “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? … Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

(3) Assurance of Our Resurrection and Eternal Life

  • Because Jesus rose from the dead, we can be assured of our own resurrection.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:20-22 – “But now Christ is risen from the dead and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. … For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.”

(4) A New Life for Believers

  • Those who believe in Jesus’ resurrection are called to live in a new life.

  • Romans 6:4 – “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”

(5) The Coming of God’s Kingdom

  • The resurrection is not just a personal victory for Jesus but a sign of the coming Kingdom of God.

  • Acts 2:32-36 – Peter testifies that Jesus’ resurrection and ascension confirm that He reigns at God’s right hand.
    ➡ The resurrection is a key milestone in the fulfillment of God’s Kingdom.

Conclusion

The resurrection of Jesus was prophesied in various ways in the Old Testament and is revealed in the New Testament as the core of salvation history.

  • Old Testament prophecies: The sign of Jonah, the Psalms of David, the story of Abraham and Isaac, and Hosea’s prophecy all foreshadow the resurrection.

  • Redemptive-historical significance: The resurrection proves that Jesus is the Messiah, signifies victory over sin and death, guarantees our resurrection, calls us to a new life, and marks the coming of God’s Kingdom.

Thus, the resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of the Christian faith and the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. 

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