"Very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. They were saying to one another, 'Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?' Looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away, although it was extremely large. Entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, 'Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him.'" (Mark 16:2-6)
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the most significant and important historic event of all time. For believers, His resurrection is the foundation of our faith and if He has not been resurrected, our faith is vain; "Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain." (1 Corinthians 15:12-14)
Of course there is great incentive for those who have rejected Christ to accept the lie that He was not truly resurrected. Sinners will someday stand in judgment before the living Jesus Christ; "For we know Him who said, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.' And again, 'The Lord will judge His people." It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God." (Hebrews 10:30,31). If Jesus is still dead in the grave, then sinners have no fear of God's judgment or eternal hell. But He has risen! Jesus said, "I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear; fear the One who, after He has killed , has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!" (Luke 12:4,5)
The evidence is overwhelming... He has risen! Our faith is certainly not in vain. And His resurrection is the assurance that we who have trusted in Him alone have forgiveness of sins, eternal life and no fear of the future. According to the words of that old hymn:
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.
