Is Jesus Alive to You?

But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. Matthew 28:5-6 NKJV

Do you ever contact the people you are closest to with random texts, emails, or phone calls? If you do, you are not alone. Recently, I sent this text to a close friend: “Question of the day: Do you live like Jesus is alive?”

If we’re honest, the resurrection can sometimes feel like a story we’ve heard so many times that it loses its impact, especially for those of us who grew up in church. We know the timeline. We know the verses. We know that Sunday is coming as we read about the events that happened on Friday.

Sit back and imagine the silence of that Saturday following the crucifixion. Imagine the confusion. The fear. The shattered expectations. Although Jesus had warned them about His death, the disciples did not expect a resurrection. In their mind, Jesus died, and Rome won. To them, on Friday, death had the final word, and Saturday confirmed it. The long-awaited Messiah was buried.

Yet, early on the first day of the week, everything changed. The stone wasn’t rolled away to help Jesus. It wasn’t moved, so Jesus could get out. It was rolled away so the disciples, and we, could look in. It was rolled away because the resurrection matters.

The Resurrection Means Jesus Is Who He Said He Was

Jesus didn’t just teach moral lessons. He claimed authority. He forgave sins. He said He would die and rise again. These are some serious truth claims, and the resurrection is God’s public declaration that Jesus is My Son; what He said is true. It’s true for:

An eighteen-year-old navigating his identity

A twenty-five-year-old is building her career

Anyone balancing faith, family, and work

The resurrection answers the question who is in charge of my life? If Jesus is alive, then He is Lord, He is King— not culture, not politics, not social media trends, not our feelings. That fact changes how we live.

The Resurrection Means Sin Doesn’t Win

We live in a world that feels heavy. We have all felt and seen the effects of sin … addiction, anxiety, divorce, betrayal, shame, and regret. It is the cross that tells us sin is serious. Some of us are haunted by mistakes. Some of us carry guilt that nobody sees. Some of us are stuck in cycles we can’t seem to break. But the cross wasn’t the end. We know something great happened!

The resurrection declares that freedom from sin is possible. It tells us sin is defeated. It tells us that a victory took place. Death, the ultimate consequence of sin, could not hold our Savior. That being so, we can draw comfort that our past doesn’t get the final word. Instead of being defined by our worst moments, we get to share in the victory with Christ.

The Resurrection Means Suffering Is Not the End

The older I get, although I acknowledge I’m not that old, the more I see that life can hit hard. Our dreams don’t unfold as we thought. Relationships end. Prayers seem unanswered. We lose people we love. Inwardly, we wrestle with depression or loneliness even when we outwardly appear strong.

Although the resurrection doesn’t deny suffering, it does transform suffering into hope. God is aware of the challenges we face, yet the facts surrounding the resurrection reinforce that He is still in control. The resurrection reminds us that God specializes in bringing life out of what looks dead.

The Resurrection Means We Have Purpose

When Jesus rose, He didn’t just disappear. He proved He was alive by many infallible proofs and ultimately gave the great commission to His followers. We share in that mission; a mission clearly obeyed in Acts.

It was the resurrection that turned fearful disciples into bold witnesses. Peter, who denied Jesus three times, became a preacher who boldly proclaimed Him. What transformed Peter was the reality of the resurrected Jesus—he saw the risen Christ.

Do we live like Jesus is alive? Do we understand the reality of such a statement?

We weren’t saved just to attend church. We weren’t forgiven just to feel better. We were raised to walk in newness of life.

To live like Jesus is alive is to realize that our workplace is a mission field. Our friendships are ministry opportunities. Our homes are a place to model resurrection hope. Because Jesus is alive, our lives have eternal significance. We have a heavenly purpose!

The Resurrection Means Death Is Not the Final Chapter

For many young adults, death feels distant — until it doesn’t. Sadly, people of all ages die.

The resurrection is not just about Jesus’s victory; it is about ours. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15 that if Christ has not been raised, our faith is futile, but because He has been raised, death has lost its sting.

That powerful truth matters when you stand at a graveside. It matters when cancer enters the conversation. It matters when fear of the future creeps in at night. It matters because the resurrection anchors hope beyond this life—and that hope gives courage in the present.

What Do We Do?

The resurrection is not just information to believe. It is true to live. Because Jesus is alive:

We forgive when it’s hard.

We pursue holiness when compromise is easy.

We love boldly.

We risk obedience.

We endure suffering with hope.

We share the gospel without apology.

The resurrection calls for a proper response, not casual admiration or seasonal celebration. It calls for surrender.

Do we live like Jesus is alive? Or does our schedule, anxiety, and priorities suggest He’s still in the tomb?

Resurrection faith is not passive. Biblical faith wakes up each day aware that the same power that raised Christ from the dead is at work in us for His glory. This means we can fight temptation, choose integrity, and reconcile broken relationships. Our ministry for Him started the moment we were baptized into Christ. The resurrection allows us to trust God with the unknown, since we know the tomb is empty.

Wherever you are in life— whether you’re full of questions, seeking answers, or carrying responsibilities — anchor your hope in this truth: The resurrection is not just a historical event, it is a present reality. The grave is empty. Jesus is risen. Since that changes everything, let’s live like it.

Erick Clemens is the Youth Minister at Kent Christian Church, Madison, IN. Erick loves working with youth of all ages. He can be reached by email at: boldyouthministries@yahoo.com.