Why do Christians change their lives for something they read in an ancient book? And why are we so happy about it all? What’s the reason for our hope (1 Pet. 3:15)? To put it briefly: Because Jesus rose from the dead. His resurrection changes everything for those who trust and obey him. You can have meaning in life and confident hope in death because he lives. But, one may ask, why buy into it? We believe for the same reason as first-century believers.

1. Because he lives, I have evidence that gives me faith.

First of all, the witnesses of the risen Lord, from Paul to James to the twelve. As Paul lists these (1 Cor. 15:3-11), he also mentions a time when over 500 saw the Lord risen, adding that many were still alive and could be interviewed. But the first witnesses, according to the gospels, were women (Matt. 28; Mark 16). This would have been a strange story to invent since women couldn’t even offer testimony in the Jewish culture of the time. We acknowledge that just because someone claims something doesn’t make it strong evidence. Even someone dying for their beliefs only proves they believed it. But it wasn’t for an opinion someone passed down. They were convinced they touched the risen Jesus and even ate with him. That’s the belief they died for. They gained nothing from the claim and lost nearly everything. But there’s more evidence to offer, like the predictive witness of the Scriptures (Isa. 53:10) and the empty tomb. As the hymn says, “An empty grave is there to prove my savior lives.”

2. Because he lives, I don’t have to fear death.

Before that day, the devil held people in a sort of slavery that came from our fear of death (Heb. 2:14). But now, we do not grieve death “as those who have no hope” (1 Thes. 4:13). Jesus told Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and … shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25–26).

3. Because he lives, I have hope for my children.

It’s hard to imagine looking into my son or daughter’s eyes and telling them this is all there is. But praise God, we can point them to answers to the big questions that offer real hope. At Pentecost, Peter declared Christ’s resurrection: “this Jesus … you crucified … God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it” (Acts 2:23–24). Then he called on the people to save themselves (2:40), repenting and being baptized (2:38), “For the promise is for you and for your children” (2:39).

4. Because he lives, I look forward to a new body and a new creation.

We wait for Jesus to come and “transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body” (Phil. 3:21; cf. 1 John 3:2). Someday, this universe will end (2 Pet. 3:12). But the next verse reminds us that’s not the end of the story because we also wait “for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Pet. 3:13). Since the fall, all of creation has groaned, waiting to birth something new (Rom. 8:22) “And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies” (Rom. 8:23).

5. Because he lives, my life and struggles have meaning.

Chapter fifteen of First Corinthians is jam-packed with 58 verses all about resurrection. It explains how Christ was the firstfruits, so his resurrection points to our coming resurrection (1 Cor. 15:23). Because he lives, Paul explains, someday all those who die in Christ will come fully alive.

“For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed … When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory'” (1 Cor. 15:52-56).

And because WE’LL live forever, all that we do as we walk with God has everlasting significance, as he ends the chapter, “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (15:58).

6. Because he lives, I’ve been made alive.

The same power that rose him from the dead works in me, creating a new life where I was dead in sin. Where Jesus had a risen body, we have renewal in our spirits, as God works in us. “having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead” (Col. 2:12). That verse leads to our final point…

7. Because he lives, we can be buried in baptism, rising to new life with him!

Because he died, my sins are gone. And because he rose again, I will, too. Because of his story, we too can die, be buried, and rise to a new life (Rom. 6:2-4).

“Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:3–4).

Maybe you believe this but haven’t obeyed the good news, submitting yourself to him and participating in his death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. If so, you can die to yourself, be buried with Christ in baptism, and rise to new life today! “Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him” (1 Pet. 3:21–22).

“And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name” (Acts 22:16).