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Christ in the World #2We have noticed several reasons that Jesus Christ came into this world. In Philippians 2:7-12 note that even though Jesus suffered death on the cross, God hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father. Paul tells us that God wrought His mighty power in raising Christ from the dead, "and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. Ephesians 1:20-23 Jesus had spoken with regard to the fact that He would suffer and die and then be raised the third day. "From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day." (Matthew 16:23) See also Matthew 17:22-23; Luke 9:22. Jesus further said, "I lay down my life for the sheep…Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father." John 10:15-18 When Jesus was thus raised from the dead, it was a fulfillment of these states of Jesus and would have the same effect upon the apostles that other fulfilled prophecies had. It would emphasized His deity, inasmuch as he could only know these things by the power of God. Thus Paul affirmed that He was "declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:" Romans 1:4. The resurrection of Christ from the dead establishes our resurrection. "And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power." 1 Corinthians 6:14; 2 Corinthians 4:14 Paul teaches that our salvation and resurrection depends upon the fact that Christ was raised from the dead. "Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain." Paul furthers shows that if Christ be not raised, then they are false witnesses, because they had testified that God had indeed raised up Christ. "For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ, (died in Christ) are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept." 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 The resurrection of Christ is the very heart and core of everything that we hope for as Christians. It is that which enables us to look forward to our departure from this life. It is that which gives us hope for the life after we leave this world. Do you have this hope in you? Can you look forward to death or the coming of Jesus with joy and gladness? If not, then you need to obey the gospel of Christ and live as He directs in His holy word. Howard I. See
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