“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve” (1 Corinthians 15:3-5).

The final two chapters constitute what is generally considered the final section of John’s Gospel. The account of Jesus’ resurrection brings the gospel account to a stunning resolution. Just as he foretold, Jesus was crucified by means of self-interested evildoers. Just as he foretold, his death was of singular significance in the economy of God’s gracious salvation. That is, Jesus died for sinners, the righteous for the unrighteous. On the cross, the Last Adam was our Passover Lamb who takes away the sins of the world. But Jesus’ death was not the final word of his mission. Using the temple as a metaphor for his own body, Jesus said, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up” (2:19).

The timing of Jesus’ resurrection gives us an indication of its cosmic significance. Jesus was raised on the third day of his passion, the first day of the week, the first day of the new creation. The resurrection of Jesus was an historical event witnessed by those who did not expect it to happen. The enemies of Jesus had no corpse to produce in order to silence any who may have desired to proclaim him as risen. The church was born by faith in the crucified and risen Jesus. And it is that good news which holds the power to save all who believe: “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).