I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death - Revelation 1:18
Jesus was raised from the dead, on the third day, in the same body, and by His own power.
He was raised from the dead. Romans 6:9 says, “Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.” This means, first of all, that Jesus really was dead. He did not faint, swoon, or play possum. He died on that cross just as He said He would (Matthew 26:2). It also means that He conquered death. It was not possible that death should hold Him (Acts 2:24). He can’t die again. Because Jesus died and was raised again, He is the “Lord of the living and the dead” (Romans 14:9). Therefore, He is our Lord, whether we live or die.
He was raised on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:4; Acts 10:40). This happened just as He said it would (Matthew 16:21, 17:23, 20:14). Jesus was crucified on Friday (Mark 15:42; Matthew 27:57; Luke 23:53-56) and raised on Sunday, “the first day of the week” (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:1-2, 9; Luke 24:1-2), which we call “The Lord’s Day” (Revelation 1:10). This means that every Sunday we mark the day of the Lord’s resurrection. This is why we gather for public worship on Sunday rather than Saturday.
He was raised in the same body. When the women sought Jesus’ body, they did not find it at the tomb (Matthew 28:3; Mark 16:6). There was no body in the tomb because Jesus was outside the tomb (John 20:14) and on His way to Galilee (Matthew 28:7). There’s some mystery surrounding resurrected bodies (1 Corinthians 15:35), but two things are certain about Jesus’ resurrected body. First, it was a physical, flesh-and-blood body. He told the disciples, “Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.” (Luke 24:39) Second, it was the same body which had been crucified and buried three days prior (John 20:19-28). If you die before the Lord returns, you too will be raised in the same body (1 Corinthians 15:51-53). Whether you’re alive or dead when the Lord returns, your present lowly body will be made like His glorious body (Philippians 3:21).
He was raised by His own power. The resurrection of Christ is attributed to the power of God. For example, 1 Corinthians 6:14 says, “God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.” However, it’s important to note that the power of God by which Jesus was raised was His own power. He said, “I lay down my life. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again” (John 10:18). Jesus raised Himself by the power of God because Jesus is Almighty God and has the power to give life (John 1:4). He promised that He would die and raise Himself again. He kept that promise. He keeps all His promises. Consider that the same Jesus who voluntarily gave His life for you not only has the power to give life, but also promises to use that power to give you eternal life. That is His will for everyone who believes in Him. Jesus said, “I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” (John 10:28) Nothing, not even death, can keep Him from keeping that promise.
Pastor Appleton
Comments