On this Easter day, Christians around the world celebrate the greatest event in Christian history. In churches all around there is pageantry and celebration. People adorn their best and dress up the children. There are Easter baskets, eggs, and candy. There are some that make the once a year journey to a church to reaffirm their faith in such an event. Even many that never enter a church celebrate the season and what it stands for.
Then among others the debate continues, did Jesus really rise from the dead. There are even some so called bible scholars and schools that teach Jesus’ resurrection was just a symbol and a spiritual thing, he never really rose from the grave. There are pastors that preach behind pulpits that do not believe it really happened. If you were to ask the average Christian what it all really means, I wonder how many could completely confess its wonder and truth.
Let me, if I can shine a little light on the subject, as we celebrate such a wonderful day and give honor and praise to the one it is due.
1. Jesus accomplished the cruel death on the cross as a man just like you and I. Jesus himself tried to teach those that followed him that he as a man had to suffer and die. It was not by accident that he would refer to himself as the son of man.
(Mat NIV) But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands."
(Mat 20:18-19 NIV) "We are going up toJerusalem
(Luke 24:7 NIV) 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'"The terrible cruel death he suffered was not under any supernatural power given to endure. Jesus was tempted in all points as you and I are. He was pushed to the human limits of sin, giving up, or just finding another way. ( Heb. 2.18, 4.15, 5.8)
(1 Pet NIV) To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
(1 Pet NIV) For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,
(Mat NIV) But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands."
(Mat 20:18-19 NIV) "We are going up to
(Luke 24:7 NIV) 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'"The terrible cruel death he suffered was not under any supernatural power given to endure. Jesus was tempted in all points as you and I are. He was pushed to the human limits of sin, giving up, or just finding another way. ( Heb. 2.18, 4.15, 5.8)
(1 Pet NIV) To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
(1 Pet NIV) For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,
As Peter teaches us that Christ accomplished it all in His body or flesh, so we could understand that we too can overcome as he did. If Jesus had done all this as a supernatural person or God/man then there is no way we could be able to do it as well. For every human is bound by the limitations of the flesh, subject to failure and despair. Jesus is the perfect mediator, man, over comer, enduring the horrific pain and suffering in his body, yet staying faithful and obedient all the way to death. He had to trust in the fact that his Father would keep His word to him.
Paul teaches us that Jesus is that second Adam, fulfilling all that was needed for our redemption. A man had to die, as Adam brought death by death of a man, life could be given.
(Rom 5:14-17 NIV) Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come. {15} But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! {16} Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man's sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. {17} For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.
(Rom 5:14-17 NIV) Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come. {15} But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! {16} Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man's sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. {17} For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.
(1 Cor NIV) For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.This is why Paul tells Timothy that Jesus is the one who can stand before God for us as a man.
(1 Tim 2:5 NIV) For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.
(1 Tim 2:5 NIV) For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.
2. Jesus did die a complete death. There are so many today that tell us that Jesus really did not die. If Jesus did not die then how could the price for sin be paid?
(Rom 5:10-14 NIV) For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! {11} Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. {12} Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned-- {13} for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law. {14} Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come.
(Rom 5:10-14 NIV) For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! {11} Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. {12} Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned-- {13} for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law. {14} Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come.
(Rom NIV) The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. (Rom NIV) For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Mark NIV) He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.
Now I know that there are many cute songs and stories about what Jesus did in those three days, but where are the actual scriptures to back up any such claims? The matter of truth is Jesus suffered death just like you and I will, if he does not come back in our life time. Plain and simple, he was dead and in a tomb for three days waiting for the Father to raise him up. He had to completely trust in His Father, that if he would lay his life down, His Father would then raise him up again. He paved the way of faith in the Father for us.
This brings me to the last thought!
3. Who raised Jesus up from the dead? In all our celebration I hear a lot of thank you Jesus, spoken. But, did Jesus raise himself or did the Father raise him up? Thank you Jesus for obeying the Father all the way to the cross and death! Thank you Jesus, you showed us how to have faith in your Father, the one who gives us the hope of a resurrection. But, most important THANK YOU FATHER GOD for raising up Jesus our lord!
Over and over the writers of the New Testament tell us that it was God the Father that raised Jesus from the dead. Jesus did not have the power within himself to rise from the dead, the power came from God. Then they teach us that that same power is given to us the believer. Just read a few of the scriptures that tell us so,
(Acts NIV) God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact.
(Acts -37 NIV) he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm: "'You are my Son; today I have become your Father.' {34} The fact that God raised him from the dead, never to decay, is stated in these words: "'I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.' {35} So it is stated elsewhere: "'You will not let your Holy One see decay.' {36} "For when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers and his body decayed. {37} But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay.
(Rom 6:4 NIV) We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
(Rom NIV) And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.
(1 Cor NIV) By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also.
(2 Cor 4:14 NIV) because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence.
(Gal 1:1 NIV) Paul, an apostle--sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—
(Eph 1:18-23 NIV) I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, {19} and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, {20} which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, {21} far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. {22} And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, {23} which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
(1 Pet NIV) Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
Wow, and there are many more such scriptures.
As I wrap this up the point I hope to convey is this. Jesus, a man born of God lived and suffered a cruel death for you and I. This same Jesus was the Christ, the Jewish messiah, the second Adam. He called himself the “son of man” through out the gospels to teach us that we as men could also obey the Father and overcome. He is the first born of many brethren (Rom. 8), to give us hope in a new life through him. Paul teaches us the important factor of the resurrection and the hope it gives.
(1 Cor -22 NIV) But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? {13} If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. {14} And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. {15} More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. {16} For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. {17} And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. {18} Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. {19} If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. {20} But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. {21} For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. {22} For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
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