MY PERSPECTIVE, Gary Damron
Since Easter, we've explored implications of resurrection from the dead, and we talked about how Jesus' death and resurrection impacted those around. Today we'll look at what resurrection means for Jesus: 1) it establishes the truth of His message and ministry; 2) it substantiates claims that He is Son of God; 3) it indicates success in providing deliverance; 4) it gives Him glory; and 5) lifts up Jesus as Lord.
Jesus was totally aware of the significance of His resurrection, with indications left throughout scripture.
1) The resurrection established the truth of the message and ministry of Jesus: He had predicted His own death and resurrection numerous times, even indicating the timeframe. "He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again" (Mark 8:31).
In Mark 9:9, after the transfiguration, Jesus "...gave them orders not to relate to anyone what they had seen, until the Son of Man should rise from the dead." Walking with the disciples, He told them, "'Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, and will deliver Him to the Gentiles. And they will mock Him and spit upon Him, and scourge Him, and kill Him, and three days later He will rise again'" (Mark 10:33-34).
He made similar reliable predictions concerning His second coming. "'I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also'" (John 14:2-3). "'You will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory'" (Matthew 24:30).
2) The resurrection substantiated Jesus' claims that He is Son of God. Peter had preached on the Day of Pentecost (Acts chapter 2) that though the miracles, wonders, and signs attested to who Jesus was, He was still rejected. After Jesus' death on Calvary, those in charge thought they'd ended His claim to be the Messiah, since He wasn't delivered from the cross. But the resurrection verified that His claims were true (2:24).
In Acts 4:10-14, Peter testified that he healed by "the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead." Then he added ""there is salvation in no one else." And they had nothing to say in reply.
The early church understood that God intervened and issued His own decision. Jesus had to die in order to accomplish atonement, but after His death it was the Father's turn. Paul wrote that Jesus "...was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead" (Romans 1:3).
3) Resurrection indicated success in providing our deliverance. Before His birth, the angel proclaimed to Mary that she should name her baby Jesus, "'...for it is He who will save His people from their sins'" (Matthew 1:21). As Jesus died on the cross, He knew His mission was accomplished; His final words were, "'It is finished'" (John 19:30). Paul wrote, "We are now justified by His blood" (Romans 5:9). The resurrection marks the success of Jesus’ mission to reconcile sinners who are willing to come through faith in the Son’s sacrifice.
4) The resurrection of Jesus gives Him glory. As He walked on the Emmaus Road, He explained that the events of that week were necessary for His glory (Luke 24:26). Peter addressed the glories that come from Christ's suffering (1 Peter 1:11). Peter added that Jesus "... was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God" (1 Peter 1:20-21).
5) Finally, the resurrection lifts up Jesus as Lord. After the pair on the Emmaus Road returned to Jerusalem, the disciples proclaimed to them, "'The Lord has really risen, and has appeared ....'" (Luke 24:34). "Jesus as Lord" reflects the faith of the early church. Peter's sermon on the Day of Pentecost concludes, "'Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified'" (Acts 2:36). The saying pierced their hearts with conviction, and they asked how they could be saved.
Thomas' words after meeting Jesus in person were, "'My Lord and my God!'" (John 20:28). In Acts 10:36, Peter included the Gentiles, declaring, "'Jesus Christ He is Lord of all.'" Paul expressed the same faith, when he said those who have the Holy Spirit will proclaim that Jesus is Lord (1 Corinthians 12:3). In Paul's letter to Christians in Rome, he wrote that we can be saved when we "confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead" (Romans 10:9). So, the lordship of Jesus is confirmed by His death and resurrection.
Millions have placed their faith in and given allegiance to the Lord. The resurrected Jesus still offers Himself, to be our living Savior and Lord.
