Isaiah's Risen Savior (Isaiah 25:8, 53:10)
Absolutely central to the Christian faith is the fact of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. As the apostle Paul wrote, “If Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless” (1 Corinthians 15:14).
One of the reasons for Paul';s assertion that Christ';s resurrection is central to our faith is the fact that the Old Testament prophets foretold not just the death of the Messiah but also his being raised from the dead.
Isaiah 53 contains the predictions of Jesus';s arrest and suffering on the Cross, and it also hints that his physical death wouldn';t be his ultimate end: “Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord';s good plan will prosper in his hands” (Isaiah 53:10).
Probably the best known Old Testament prophecy concerning the resurrection of Christ is this one, written by King David: “No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety. For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your holy one to rot in the grave” (Psalm 16:9–10).
But Isaiah';s prophecies concerning Jesus';s resurrection go even further — even if they don';t do it in chronological order. Back in chapter 25, Isaiah tells us that Jesus';s death and resurrection will have the effect of defeating death once and for all for those who would put their faith in him: “He will swallow up death forever! The Sovereign Lord will wipe away all tears. He will remove forever all insults and mockery against his land and people. The Lord has spoken!” (Isaiah 25:8).
Isaiah tells us the same thing about the death of the Messiah that the Gospels tell us: That his death, while cruel and horrible and necessary for the salvation of humankind, wasn';t the end — not by a long shot.
The Messiah was going to defeat death once and for all, and he sealed that victory when on the third day after his death he rose from the grave and presented himself to his followers so that they could spread the news of what had happened.
Study Questions
How does the fact that Jesus';s resurrection was foretold hundreds of years before it happened affect your faith and your approach to telling others his message?
Read 1 Corinthians 15. How does the fact of Jesus';s resurrection affect your outlook on the subject of physical death?
