Resurrection of Jesus facts for kids
The resurrection of Jesus is a central Christian belief that God brought Jesus back to life on the third day after he died on the cross. Christians believe this event showed Jesus's special power as Christ and Lord, starting his new, exalted life. It is the foundation of their faith and is celebrated every year at Easter.
Contents
The Story from the Bible
The Christian Bible, especially the New Testament, tells us about Jesus's life, teachings, death, and resurrection.
Jesus's Predictions
Before he died, Jesus told his followers that he would be killed but would rise again on the third day. These predictions are found in all four main Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), which are books in the New Testament.
The Crucifixion and Burial
According to the Bible, Jesus was crucified, meaning he was put to death on a cross. After his death, a man named Joseph of Arimathea, who was a follower of Jesus, asked for Jesus's body. Joseph then wrapped the body in linen cloths and placed it in a new tomb, which was a cave-like burial place, and rolled a large stone in front of the entrance. This happened on a Friday.
The Empty Tomb and Appearances
On the first day of the week, which is Sunday, some women who were followers of Jesus went to his tomb to prepare his body with spices. To their surprise, they found the large stone rolled away and the tomb empty! Angels appeared to them, telling them that Jesus was not there because he had risen from the dead.
After this, the Bible says that Jesus appeared to many of his disciples and followers. Mary Magdalene was one of the first to see him.
Paul the Apostle, who became a very important leader in early Christianity, also described seeing Jesus in a powerful vision. Paul's letters, written around 50-60 AD, are some of the earliest Christian writings we have, and they talk about Jesus's death, burial, and resurrection.
These appearances were very important because they convinced his followers that Jesus was truly alive and had conquered death.
The Great Commission and Ascension
After his resurrection, Jesus gave his disciples what is known as the "Great Commission." He told them to go out into the world, teach everyone about him, and baptize them. He promised them that they would receive power from the Holy Spirit to help them with this mission.
Then, according to the Bible, Jesus ascended into heaven. This means he went up to be with God, his rightful home. This event is described in the Gospels and in the Book of Acts, which tells the story of the early Christian Church.
Why is it So Important for Christians?
The resurrection of Jesus is not just an interesting story; it's the very heart of Christian faith.
Foundation of Faith
For Christians, the resurrection proves that Jesus is truly the Son of God and has special power over life and death. It shows that God accepted Jesus's sacrifice on the cross for the forgiveness of sins. Without the resurrection, Christians believe their faith would be meaningless. As Paul the Apostle wrote, "If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile."
Hope for the Future
The resurrection of Jesus gives Christians hope. They believe that just as Jesus was raised from the dead, they too will be raised to new life after they die. It's a promise of eternal life and a future with God. This belief helps them face challenges and even death with courage.
Starting the Christian Church
The belief in Jesus's resurrection gave his followers incredible courage and a renewed sense of purpose. Before the resurrection, they were scared and scattered. After seeing the risen Jesus and experiencing the Holy Spirit, they became bold and began to share the "Good News" about Jesus with everyone. This led to the formation of the first Christian communities, which grew into the worldwide Christian Church we know today. Peter, who had denied Jesus before his death, became a strong leader in the early Church, inspired by the resurrection.
Easter: A Special Celebration
Easter is the most important Christian holiday, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus. It's even more important than Christmas for many Christians!
Easter is celebrated on a Sunday in spring, but its exact date changes each year. It's linked to the Jewish holiday of Passover, which remembers the ancient Israelites' freedom from slavery in Egypt. Jesus's Last Supper with his disciples, his crucifixion, and his resurrection all happened around the time of Passover.
Many Easter traditions, like eggs and bunnies, are symbols of new life and spring. For Christians, these symbols connect to the new life and hope that Jesus's resurrection brings. The cross, which reminds Christians of Jesus's death, is also a powerful symbol of Easter, because it leads to the victory of the resurrection.
How it's Shown in Art
Artists throughout history have tried to capture the wonder and importance of the resurrection.
Early Art
In the early days of Christianity, around the 4th century AD, artists in places like the Catacombs of Rome (underground burial places) didn't always show Jesus actually rising. Instead, they used symbols or stories from the Old Testament that hinted at rescue and new life, like Daniel in the lions' den or three men in a fiery furnace.
A very early symbol was the Chi Rho, which are the first two Greek letters of "Christ." Emperor Constantine I, who made Christianity legal in the Roman Empire in 313 AD after a vision in 312 AD, used this symbol. When the Chi Rho was shown with a wreath, it symbolized Jesus's victory over death.
Later Art
Over time, artists began to show the resurrection more directly. You might see paintings or sculptures of Jesus stepping out of the tomb, sometimes with angels or sleeping guards nearby. Other artworks show Jesus appearing to his disciples. These artworks often emphasize the idea that Jesus's resurrection brought new life and hope to the whole world. For example, some art shows Jesus pulling Adam and Eve from their tombs, symbolizing the salvation of all humanity.
Different Beliefs About Jesus
While the resurrection of Jesus is a core belief for Christians, it's important to know that not everyone shares the same ideas about what happened to Jesus.
Jewish people have different beliefs about Jesus and do not believe he was the Messiah or that he rose from the dead. Muslims believe Jesus (whom they call Isa) was a very important prophet, but they generally believe he was not crucified and did not die on the cross. Instead, they believe God raised him directly to heaven. Some groups, like Ahmadiyya Muslims, believe Jesus survived the crucifixion and continued his mission elsewhere. Even within Christianity, there are different ways people understand the resurrection. Some focus on it as a literal, physical event, while others see it more as a spiritual truth or a powerful symbol of hope and transformation.
These different beliefs show how diverse and rich the world's religions and ideas are!
The resurrection of Jesus is a story of hope, new beginnings, and the power of faith that has shaped billions of lives for over two thousand years. It's a belief that continues to inspire and guide Christians around the globe, reminding them of God's love and the promise of eternal life.
Images for kids
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Resurrection of Jesus Christ by Raphael, 1502
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Resurrection of Christ, Noël Coypel, 1700, showing Jesus floating
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Germain Pilon, Resurrection of Jesus Christ, before 1572
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The three Marys at the Tomb of Christ (1470) at Konstanz Minster, Germany
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Right wing of a triptych at the Church of the Teutonic Order, Vienna. It shows Christ's crucifixion and burial (left), and resurrection (right).
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The Chi Rho symbol with a wreath, showing the victory of the Resurrection, above Roman soldiers, around 350 AD.
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Secondo Pia's 1898 negative of the image on the Shroud of Turin, which looks like a positive image.
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A round building in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, called the Anastasis ("Resurrection"). It holds the remains of a rock-cut room believed to be Jesus's burial site.
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Resurrection of Christ, by Hans Memling, 15th century
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Resurrection, by Luca Giordano, after 1665
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Resurrection, by Hans Multscher, 1437
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Resurrection, by Dieric Bouts, around 1450–1460
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Der Auferstanden, by Lucas Cranach, 1558
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Piero della Francesca, 15th century
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The Resurrection of Christ, by Alonso López de Herrera, around 1625
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The Resurrection by James Tissot, around 1890, at the Brooklyn Museum
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Resurrection of Jesus, by Anton von Werner, Berlin Cathedral
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Stained glass showing two Marys, Lutheran Church, South Carolina
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Women at the empty tomb, by Fra Angelico, 1437–1446
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See also
In Spanish: Resurrección de Jesús para niños
