Resurrection of Jesus Christ
First Glorious Mystery of the Rosary
Introduction
At dawn on the first day of the week, the world was changed forever.
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to the tomb of Jesus. Their love for Him did not end with His death. Though grief-stricken, they came to honor His body. Instead, they found the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. An angel appeared and declared the astonishing truth:
“He is not here: for he is risen, as he said.” (Matthew 28:6)
This moment stands at the center of the Christian faith. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is not a myth or symbol—it is a real and historical event. Jesus, who had truly died and was buried, rose from the dead on the third day. By this act, He confirmed His divine identity and fulfilled everything He had promised. His resurrection is the definitive sign that sin and death have been defeated.
In the light of the empty tomb, every teaching of Christ is affirmed. His words carry eternal weight. His promises can be trusted. For those who believe in Him, death is no longer the end, but the beginning of life everlasting. The resurrection offers hope that endures beyond suffering, fear, and loss.
The Church celebrates this event every Sunday, the Lord’s Day, and honors it in the First Glorious Mystery of the Rosary. When the faithful meditate on this mystery, they are reminded that the tomb could not hold the Author of Life—and that all who follow Him are called to share in that same victory.
This reflection will examine Matthew 28:1–6 in detail, exploring the events, meaning, and lasting impact of the resurrection. Jesus Christ is risen. He lives. And He continues to call each soul to follow Him into life that never ends.
Scriptures
And in the end of the sabbath, when it began to dawn towards the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalen and the other Mary, to see the sepulchre. And behold there was a great earthquake. For an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and coming, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. And his countenance was as lightning, and his raiment as snow. And for fear of him, the guards were struck with terror, and became as dead men. And the angel answering, said to the women: Fear not you; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he is risen, as he said. Come, and see the place where the Lord was laid. (Matthew 28:1-6)
Verse-by-Verse Breakdown of The Resurrection of Jesus Christ
Verse 1 – The Women Approach the Tomb
“And in the end of the sabbath, when it began to dawn towards the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalen and the other Mary, to see the sepulchre.”
Matthew begins with a detail full of meaning. The Sabbath has ended, and a new day begins. In Jewish understanding, the “first day of the week” signifies a new beginning—what Christians would later call the Lord’s day. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary (likely the mother of James) show devotion even after Jesus’ death. Their intention was to visit His tomb, perhaps to anoint the body more fully. What they find will be far beyond what they imagined.
Verse 2 – A Sudden Earthquake and an Angel Appears
“And behold there was a great earthquake. For an angel of the Lord descended from heaven: and coming, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it.”
God intervenes directly. The earthquake mirrors the shaking of the earth at Jesus’ death (Matthew 27:51), signaling divine power at work. The angel does not come to let Jesus out—He is already risen—but to show the world that the tomb is empty. The angel rolls back the stone and takes a seat, a sign of calm authority. Heaven has acted, and the angel bears witness to what has already occurred.
Verse 3 – The Angel’s Appearance
“And his countenance was as lightning, and his raiment as snow.”
This description echoes other heavenly visions in Scripture, such as Daniel 10 and Revelation 1. The brilliance of the angel reflects God’s glory. His appearance shows that this event is not human, but supernatural. The purity and light serve as symbols of truth and holiness—fitting for the one who announces the resurrection.
Verse 4 – The Guards Are Struck with Fear
“And for fear of him, the guards were struck with terror, and became as dead men.”
These were Roman soldiers—hardened, trained, and armed. Yet even they collapse in fear. They fall “as dead men,” while the One who was dead now lives. The irony is deliberate. Earthly power is helpless before the glory of God. The guards cannot stop the resurrection. They are witnesses to a power beyond anything they have known.
Verse 5 – The Angel Speaks to the Women
“And the angel answering, said to the women: Fear not you: for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.”
The angel’s message begins with mercy. “Fear not” is a phrase often spoken by angels to the faithful (see Luke 1:13, Luke 2:10). Unlike the guards, the women have nothing to fear. They came in love and sorrow. The angel recognizes this and affirms their intent: they came seeking Jesus, who had truly died. There is no denial of the crucifixion—it is the very heart of the Gospel.
Verse 6 – The Tomb Is Empty
“He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, and see the place where the Lord was laid.”
This is the angel’s great proclamation. Jesus rose, just as He foretold (Matthew 16:21; 17:23; 20:19). The angel invites them to look and see. Christian faith is not based on blind emotion, but on the empty tomb—a real sign in history. The Lord had been laid there. Now, He is gone. Death has been conquered. The resurrection is not only an event but a victory.
Theological Truths
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not just a past event. It holds deep meaning for every soul. The Church teaches that several key truths are revealed through Matthew 28:1–6:
- Jesus truly rose from the dead. His bodily resurrection was physical and real, not symbolic or imaginary.
- He is the Son of God. The resurrection confirms His divine identity and authority (Romans 1:4).
- His death was not a defeat. By dying, He conquered sin. By rising, He defeated death.
- The Scriptures are fulfilled. Jesus rose “as He said.” His words are trustworthy.
- The resurrection guarantees the promise of eternal life. Those who die in Christ will rise with Him (1 Corinthians 15:20–22).
- Faith is based in real historical evidence. The empty tomb and eyewitness appearances are not myths—they are the foundation of belief.
- The Church’s mission begins here. The risen Jesus sends His disciples to proclaim the Gospel to all nations (Matthew 28:19–20).
These truths shape the entire Christian life. They give meaning to suffering, courage in trials, and hope in death.
Practical Application of Faith
The resurrection is not only something to believe—it is something to live. Every Catholic is called to respond.
What this means for daily life:
- One must live with the joy of the resurrection, even in hard times.
- Faith must be rooted in trust. If Jesus conquered death, He can be trusted with everything else.
- Suffering takes on new meaning. It is not the end, but a share in Christ’s victory.
- Hope must become a habit. Even in the face of death, the faithful do not despair.
What each soul is called to do:
- Remain faithful in prayer and the sacraments.
- Share the Gospel, especially the truth of the resurrection.
- Forgive others, as Christ forgave.
- Live for Heaven, not for this world alone.
The resurrection demands a response—not only of belief, but of transformed living.
Quotes from the Church
The Catholic Church has always proclaimed the resurrection as the central truth of the faith. These teachings from the Catechism and early Fathers of the Church underline its importance:
Catechism of the Catholic Church
- CCC 638:
“The Resurrection of Jesus is the crowning truth of our faith in Christ, a faith believed and lived as the central truth by the first Christian community.”** - CCC 651:
“The resurrection above all constitutes the confirmation of all Christ’s works and teachings.”**
Early Church Father
- St. John Chrysostom:
“Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again; for forgiveness has risen from the grave.”
Reflection
The resurrection of Jesus Christ changes everything. It is the fulfillment of every prophecy, the proof of every promise, and the foundation of every Christian hope. The empty tomb is not only a sign of what happened long ago—it is an invitation today.
Reflection Questions:
- Does one live each day as if Jesus truly rose from the dead?
- Where is Christ asking for greater trust?
- How is He calling the soul to be raised from sin?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You rose in glory and defeated death. Help Your people to trust in Your victory. Strengthen every soul to follow You in faith, to live in hope, and to rejoice in Your promises. May the truth of Your resurrection give light to all who seek You. Amen.
Feast of the Resurrection
The feast of the resurrection of Jesus, known as Easter Sunday, is one of the most significant events in the Christian calendar. It celebrates the resurrected Jesus, marking His triumph over death and sin. This feast concludes the Passion of Jesus Christ, which includes Good Friday and Palm Sunday, and is observed on the first Sunday after the full moon following the vernal equinox, aligning with Passover.
Central to Easter is the belief that Jesus, after being crucified and laid in the tomb, rose from the dead on the third day. This resurrection fulfills prophecies and serves as the cornerstone of faith, giving hope and the promise of eternal life. The feast emphasizes the transformative power of God’s love and Christ’s resurrection, offering redemption to all.
Easter celebrations include special church services, prayers, and hymns that recount the Easter Gospel and the appearances of the risen Lord. Some churches hold sunrise services, symbolizing the dawn of a new era. The feast reminds Christians worldwide of the holy mystery of the resurrection, renewing their faith and bringing joy to the world. It remains a light of hope, inspiring believers of the body of Christ.
Download our Glorious Mysteries pdf Document
We have a Glorious Mysteries pdf available for your use. It is free to download and share. It can be printed and used for praying the Rosary and is an excellent aid for anyone, especially for beginners. The author still uses it to this day.
To view our Glorious Mysteries pdf page, click the link. To go straight to the pdf, click the button below.
Glorious Rosary Decade Mysteries
- Resurrection of Jesus (You are Here)
- Ascension of Jesus
- Pentecost
- Assumption of Mary
- Coronation of Mary
Charles Rogers is a resident of South Carolina and a retired computer programmer by trade. Raised in various Christian denominations, he always believed in Jesus Christ. In 2012, he began experiencing authentic spiritual encounters with the Blessed Virgin Mary, which led him on a seven-year journey at her hand, that included alcohol addiction, a widow maker heart attack and death and conversion to the Catholic Faith. He is the exclusive author and owner of Two Percent Survival, a website dedicated to and created in honor of the Holy Mother. Feel free to email Charles at twopercentsurvival@gmail.com.
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