Consider Two Things

April 2020 – Grace & Truth Magazine

Consider Two Things

The resurrection is one of the most, if not the most, significant historic event since creation. It, of course, would not have occurred apart from what came before, and it would not be so important if it were not for its present and eternal consequences. Man’s sin, his inability to satisfy God through the law or doing good, and the need for God’s righteous demands to be met brought the Lord Jesus to the cross. There we find all our sins borne by a Substitute, and the work of reconciliation forever finished in one offering for sin (1 Pet. 2:24; Heb. 10:14). Christ died for our sins, the Just for the unjust (1 Pet. 3:18).

But death was not to have the victory. The Savior had to rise again so life could come to all men, based on His completed work and their faith in Him. He rose again and is now at the right hand of God the Father, waiting for His enemies to be made the footstool of His feet (Heb. 10:12-13). We believers will be with Him then, having been taken from this world and into His presence (1 Th. 4:16-17).

As to the burial and resurrection, we know from the Gospels about the wounds inflicted on His body and the care shown by Joseph and Nicodemus. The Bible tells us the grave was sealed and a guard posted. An earthquake occurred, angels appeared, and the stone was removed to show an empty tomb. In all this, Scripture does not describe what took place as the Lord’s body was raised to life; He was simply seen alive and recognized by His own, but with a different kind of body.

Since the Word of God is silent as to what happened at the moment of resurrection, we understand that God does not want our focus there. Instead, we read of two things. First, the resurrection shows God’s pleasure in His Son and the work He did, bringing to Him full satisfaction (Acts 2:30-33; Phil. 2:8-11; Rom. 3:24-25). There is nothing we can do in our power to add to God’s satisfaction of His Son or us (Isa. 64:6). Second, we see God’s interest in and concern for His followers, revealed through the Lord Jesus: the Son introducing a new relationship with His Father, our Father (Jn. 20:17). The Lord’s delight – God’s delight – is with the sons of men, and Christ Jesus wants us to be with Him where He is, now and in eternity (Prov. 8:31; Mt. 18:20; Jn. 14:3, 17:20-24).

By Paul Alberts