I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE
Apr
25
Written by:
4/25/2010 12:00 AM
I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE
April 25, 2010
(John 11:25 NIV) Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; (John 11:26 NIV) and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"
Jesus spoke these words shortly before He raised Lazarus from the dead. These words were also written in the bulletin at my father`s funeral. The words contain an amazing promise. Three weeks ago we celebrated resurrection day or Easter. Today I would like to talk about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus`s resurrection has great importance for all mankind.
The Gospel records three different times that Jesus raised someone from the dead. Also, at the time Jesus died on the cross many people were raised to life. The raising of many dead people to life was one of four miraculous signs that happened at the time of Jesus death on the cross. (Mat 27:45 NIV) From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. (Mat 27:46 NIV) About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"--which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Mat 27:47 NIV) When some of those standing there heard this, they said, "He's calling Elijah." (Mat 27:48 NIV) Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. (Mat 27:49 NIV) The rest said, "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to save him." (Mat 27:50 NIV) And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. (Mat 27:51 NIV) At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. (Mat 27:52 NIV) The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. (Mat 27:53 NIV) They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
Darkness came over the land from 12 o`clock noon until 3 p.m. The temple curtain tore from top to bottom. There was a great earthquake and dead people rose from the tombs. Everyone knew something very significant had happened. The tearing of the temple curtain meant that the barrier between God and man had been removed. From that time all people are free to approach God because of Jesus Christ`s sacrifice for the sins of man. The raising of the dead from the tombs was also very significant. Holy people that had died were raised to life and appeared to many people in Jerusalem. Jesus was soon to rise from the tomb he was placed in also. However, Jesus resurrection was different from the resurrection of the others. Why? The people that Jesus raised from the dead and those that rose from the dead at the time of Jesus`s death would die again. They still had their mortal bodies. Jesus would not die again. He was raised imperishable. (1 Cor 15:50 NIV) I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. (1 Cor 15:51 NIV) Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed-- (1 Cor 15:52 NIV) in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. (1 Cor 15:53 NIV) For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. (1 Cor 15:54 NIV) When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." (1 Cor 15:55 NIV) "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"
Jesus`s resurrected body is immortal. (Rom 6:9 NIV) For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. There is victory over death. (John 11:25 NIV) Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; (John 11:26 NIV) and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"
Before Adam sinned man would have lived forever. However, when Adam sinned death entered man. However, the resurrection of the dead comes through Jesus Christ. (1 Cor 15:20 NIV) But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. (1 Cor 15:21 NIV) For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. (1 Cor 15:22 NIV) For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. The resurrection of Jesus Christ gives us the assurance that there is a resurrection of the dead. That is good news. The bodies we live in will die. However, the soul and spirit that live in our body are eternal. They will live forever.
Now it is important to consider the changes that occurred after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. They have great significance. When Jesus came to the earth he left the glory of Heaven. There was nothing in his outward appearance that would have caused people to believe Jesus was the Son of God. (Phil 2:6 NIV) Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, (Phil 2:7 NIV) but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. (Phil 2:8 NIV) And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! The 53rd Chapter of Isaiah says there was no beauty or majesty that would attract us to him.
After the resurrection Jesus appeared many times over a period of 40 days. He appeared much the same as he had when he walked on the earth before his crucification. However, Jesus could appear and disappear at will. (Luke 24:31 NIV) Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. Jesus entered a room even though the doors were closed. We should not assume that Jesus still appears the same as he did when he walked on the earth. I will close today`s message with a description of the resurrected Jesu in the First Chapter of Revelation. (Rev 1:13 NIV) and among the lampstands was someone "like a son of man," dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. (Rev 1:14 NIV) His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. (Rev 1:15 NIV) His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. (Rev 1:16 NIV) In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. (Rev 1:17 NIV) When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. (Rev 1:18 NIV) I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. In my next message I will talk about the significance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ to man.