Christ Had to Rise From the Dead - Study 10/7/13
Christ Had to Rise from the Dead
In accounting, a transaction is not completely recorded if the debits and credits are not in balance. In the ultimate transaction that was conceived by God before the world began, Christ had to die. But if it had ended just in his death only, it would not have been a complete transaction and would be no different from all other deaths. Why did Christ have to rise from the dead? Let’s study together.
Here is a summary of the resurrection account as recorded by Apostle John.
Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.”
3 Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. 4 So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. 5 And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. 9 For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went away again to their own homes. John 20:1-10.
You can see the surprise in the face of those who were there. Mary was not expecting a risen Christ and likewise the apostles. Mary said, “They have taken away the Lord (his body) out of the tomb”. Peter and John also confirmed as they ran to the tomb and were surprised that the body was not in the grave. Even though Jesus told them that he will rise from death, it had not sunk into the apostles that Jesus would rise. John confirmed it too saying “9 For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead” vs.9. You and I would say If we had been there we would not have been surprised. Really? I guarantee you that we would have missed it too.
Luke records, that Jesus appeared to his disciples after the resurrection to open their understanding. “And He (Jesus) opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. 46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise[h] from the dead the third day” Luke 24:45-46.
Why must “He (Jesus) rise again from the dead”? Listen to Paul give us one reason. “ …the gospel of God 2 which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. Romans 1:1-4. The resurrection was the ultimate declaration that Jesus is the Son of God. In other words, the resurrection proves the deity of Jesus as God the Son - Perfect and without sin to die for sinners.
You ask why so important or why make a big deal about it? If God the Son did not die on the cross and confirmed by His resurrection, we would not have both atonement and life and Hope. His death counts for atonement, the payment for our punishment but His resurrection counts for our new life. – For we have been raised with Him. What is the need being atoned for but then you are not able to live free forever? Again listen to Apostle Paul declare our justification because of Christ’s resurrection. “ 23 Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, 24 but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification”. Romans 4:23-25.
The complete transaction is the death and resurrection. Jesus died and rose and lives forever. Likewise we who believe in Christ will die, rise and live forever. This is the gospel of Hope. If Christ did not rise from death, then there is no hope of resurrection for us; Paul says we are therefore most miserable people on earth. “17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable”. 1 Corinthians 15:17-19.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you”. Romans 8:11.
The natural mind cannot comprehend the things of the spirit therefore our human understanding must be opened by the Holy Spirit. It therefore means that we must pray for our family, friends, neighbors, co-workers etc. for their understanding of God. We must not just pray but also present the truth of the Gospel to them. How can they understand what has not been presented to them? This is the only Good News there is. There is no other "good news".
Hello fellow disciple-maker, let’s make disciples for Christ. Introduce all to Jesus and let Jesus through His Holy Spirit, open the eyes of their understanding. Pray and tell – that is all we are called to do. Jesus will finish the rest by His Holy Spirit. Isn’t that what He is doing with us who are already disciples? Lord, open someone’s (insert a name) understanding today to believe in you. Amen. Now tell him/her about Jesus Christ’s death, burial and resurrection that removes his/her sin forever.
Thank you God, my father for the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of your Son Jesus Christ that has guaranteed the forgiveness of my sin and righteousness forever. I will live forever because Jesus lives forever. You have assured me by allowing your Holy Spirit to live in me until you come for me. Hallelujah! Let’s shout it to the mountain top and to the whole world. Amen.
In accounting, a transaction is not completely recorded if the debits and credits are not in balance. In the ultimate transaction that was conceived by God before the world began, Christ had to die. But if it had ended just in his death only, it would not have been a complete transaction and would be no different from all other deaths. Why did Christ have to rise from the dead? Let’s study together.
Here is a summary of the resurrection account as recorded by Apostle John.
Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.”
3 Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. 4 So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. 5 And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. 9 For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went away again to their own homes. John 20:1-10.
You can see the surprise in the face of those who were there. Mary was not expecting a risen Christ and likewise the apostles. Mary said, “They have taken away the Lord (his body) out of the tomb”. Peter and John also confirmed as they ran to the tomb and were surprised that the body was not in the grave. Even though Jesus told them that he will rise from death, it had not sunk into the apostles that Jesus would rise. John confirmed it too saying “9 For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead” vs.9. You and I would say If we had been there we would not have been surprised. Really? I guarantee you that we would have missed it too.
Luke records, that Jesus appeared to his disciples after the resurrection to open their understanding. “And He (Jesus) opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. 46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise[h] from the dead the third day” Luke 24:45-46.
Why must “He (Jesus) rise again from the dead”? Listen to Paul give us one reason. “ …the gospel of God 2 which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. Romans 1:1-4. The resurrection was the ultimate declaration that Jesus is the Son of God. In other words, the resurrection proves the deity of Jesus as God the Son - Perfect and without sin to die for sinners.
You ask why so important or why make a big deal about it? If God the Son did not die on the cross and confirmed by His resurrection, we would not have both atonement and life and Hope. His death counts for atonement, the payment for our punishment but His resurrection counts for our new life. – For we have been raised with Him. What is the need being atoned for but then you are not able to live free forever? Again listen to Apostle Paul declare our justification because of Christ’s resurrection. “ 23 Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, 24 but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification”. Romans 4:23-25.
The complete transaction is the death and resurrection. Jesus died and rose and lives forever. Likewise we who believe in Christ will die, rise and live forever. This is the gospel of Hope. If Christ did not rise from death, then there is no hope of resurrection for us; Paul says we are therefore most miserable people on earth. “17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable”. 1 Corinthians 15:17-19.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you”. Romans 8:11.
The natural mind cannot comprehend the things of the spirit therefore our human understanding must be opened by the Holy Spirit. It therefore means that we must pray for our family, friends, neighbors, co-workers etc. for their understanding of God. We must not just pray but also present the truth of the Gospel to them. How can they understand what has not been presented to them? This is the only Good News there is. There is no other "good news".
Hello fellow disciple-maker, let’s make disciples for Christ. Introduce all to Jesus and let Jesus through His Holy Spirit, open the eyes of their understanding. Pray and tell – that is all we are called to do. Jesus will finish the rest by His Holy Spirit. Isn’t that what He is doing with us who are already disciples? Lord, open someone’s (insert a name) understanding today to believe in you. Amen. Now tell him/her about Jesus Christ’s death, burial and resurrection that removes his/her sin forever.
Thank you God, my father for the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of your Son Jesus Christ that has guaranteed the forgiveness of my sin and righteousness forever. I will live forever because Jesus lives forever. You have assured me by allowing your Holy Spirit to live in me until you come for me. Hallelujah! Let’s shout it to the mountain top and to the whole world. Amen.
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