Light in the Darkness-Part 2
Christ’s Resurrection
Another significant truth in Christ’s Resurrection.
Did Jesus stayed on the cross? The answer is NO! If resurrection did not occur
nothing else matters. Our faith journey in this planet earth starts and ends on
this resurrection.
Resurrection or anastasis is the concept of coming
back to life after death. Reincarnation is a similar process hypothesized by other
religions involving the same person or deity returning to another body. The
disappearance of a body is another similar but distinct belief in some
religions.[1]
Strong's Greek: 386. ἀνάστασις (anastasis) -- Resurrection
Christ's physical resurrection is the
foundation of Christianity, which also guarantees the future resurrection of
all believers (see Jn 6:39,40,44). [386 /anástasis ("resurrection")
refers to the …[2]
The death on the cross and the
resurrection was reliable based on the historical records. Jesus defeated the
grave, and came alive victorious. Jesus conquered death and hell and hold the
keys to hell and death;
And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And
he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and
the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and,
behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Write the things which thou hast seen, and the
things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; Rev.1: 17-19.
Resurrection is not
possible if not He is God and man, the hypostatic union we had been talking
about. We know from records in the Gospels, and the Acts of the Apostles, there
are some other resurrections. What separates Jesus’ resurrection from other
resurrections like Lazarus?
Jesus’ resurrection is unique
Unlike others who were brought back to life (Gospels
recorded), died again. Jesus never died again, and ascended into heaven.
Jesus stayed alive.
This is because Jesus ascended into heaven. Jesus’ resurrection finalized the
victory over hell, sin and death.
Fear not; I am the first and the last: I
am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen;
and have the keys of hell and of death; Rev. 1: 18.
The three years John spent with Jesus on
this earth did not really prepare him to see Jesus in His heavenly glory; and
he fell. To John’s surprise, at this moment, he knew that was a miracle Jesus
could shield His glory and authority while He walked this earth with them. Jesus holds the keys of Hades and of Death. We can trust that Jesus never lets the devil borrow the keys.
“Blessed position! Does the death alarm you?
We are never so much alive as when we are dead at his feet.” “It matters not
what aileth us if we lie at Jesus’ feet. Better be dead there than alive
anywhere else.” (Spurgeon)
Jesus’s resurrection secures the
beleivers:
Eventual
resurrection of the body and current spiritual resurrection.
We had to be spiritually resurrected,
in this world: this means that our inner dead person (Spirit/Soul) has to be
revived in Christ and in His spirit, and stay alive all the time ready to meet the
Lord.
Matthew 27:65-66 reminds us that there was a guard set round the tomb. The women were not strong enough to roll the stone away. The disciples were NOT brave enough. They were in fear and could not overcome the armed guards. No one else would have wanted to roll away the stone. Matthew 28:2 tells us that it was an angel who rolled it away. It is the Divine thing organized from heaven above.
Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus
shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you; 2 Cori. 2: 4: 14.
This means we are made as new
creation in Christ Jesus. The old has gone and the new has come. We not only
have spiritual resurrection now, but one day we will have bodily resurrection
with Him, and live for ever.
And declared to be the Son of God with power,
according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
Rom. 1:4.
Jesus’ resurrection displayed His mighty
claims to be God. If Jesus is not alive today, we Christians are believing a
lie, and we had to be pitied among all people!
Everything, our faith journey hinges on
the resurrection of Christ. This points to time and time again the History. Resurrection
is the most significant part of all the Doctrine of Christ. If it is true all
the claims of the Bible, and the words of Jesus are true.
“Our religion is
not based upon opinions, but upon facts. We hear persons sometimes saying,
‘Those are your views, and these are ours.’ Whatever your ‘views’ may be, is a
small matter; what are the facts of the case?” (Spurgeon)
The fact that Jesus rose again the third day is part of the gospel. Jesus was a unique case. He did not or will not rise at some “general” resurrection of the dead. Instead He rose the third day after His death. This also demonstrates Jesus’ credibility, because He proclaimed He would rise three days after His death (Matthew 16:21, 17:23, 20:19).[3]
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