THIRD QUARTER 2024
SABBATH SCHOOL INSIGHT #13
SEPTEMBER 28, 2024
"THE RISEN LORD".

 

The resurrection of Jesus is central to the Christian narrative. It fulfills prophecy, validates His divinity, conquers sin and death, forms the foundation of faith, assures believers of their resurrection, empowers Christian living, and establishes Jesus’ lordship. These aspects collectively shape the hope, faith, and practice of Christians.

The resurrection of Jesus is a cornerstone of our faith, carrying profound theological and practical implications. Following are the main reasons for its significance:

Fulfillment of Prophecy. The resurrection fulfilled Old Testament prophecies that foretold the Messiah’s victory over death, such as those found in Psalm 16:10 and Isaiah 53:10-11. This fulfillment underscores the reliability and divine inspiration of the Scriptures.

Validation of Jesus’ Divinity: The resurrection confirmed Jesus’ claims to be the Son of God and validated His divine nature. Romans 1:4 states that Jesus was declared to be the Son of God with power by His resurrection from the dead. This event distinguishes Jesus from all other religious figures and affirms His unique identity.

Victory Over Sin and Death: By rising from the dead, Jesus conquered sin and death, offering believers the hope of eternal life. 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 celebrates this victory, proclaiming that death has been swallowed up in victory. This triumph promises believers with the assurance that sin and death will not have the final say.

Victory over death is illustrated in the resurrection of Moses. The devil argued against his resurrection (Jude 9). Moses was the first to be released from the devil’s prison. The grave was and is the devil’s prison. There is no record for about 2500 years of anyone having been released from this prison. The record is that “death reigned from Adam to Moses” (Romans 5:14). The devil’s argument about Moses was ignored by Christ as recorded in Jude. Jesus did not dispute with the devil. He simply rebuked him and raised Moses from his grave, thus breaking the devil’s authority over death. 

A dead Christ is mightier than a living devil: In the resurrection of Jesus the keys to Satan’s prison of death were taken from him. The devil could not keep Christ in the grave. A dead Christ is mightier than a living devil. John recorded the following words of Jesus, “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of death” (Revelation 1:8). 

Foundation of Christian Faith: Without the resurrection of Christ, the preaching of the Gospel and faith in Him would be in vain, as stated in 1 Corinthians 15:14-17. His resurrection validates the message of the power of the Gospel and gives meaning to our faith in Christ for salvation.

Privilege and ability for Christian Living: The resurrection empowers believers to live a new life of faith in Christ, characterized by righteousness and victory over sin. Romans 6:4 and Colossians 3:1-4 emphasize that believers are raised with Christ to walk in newness of life now. This transformation enables believers to live out their faith in practical ways.

Assurance of Believers’ Resurrection: Jesus’ resurrection serves also as a guarantee of the future resurrection of believers.      1 Thessalonians 4:14 and 1 Peter 1:3 provide hope and assurance that those who trust in Christ will be raised to eternal life. This promise of resurrection offers comfort and encouragement to believers facing trials, suffering, and death.

Establishment of Jesus as Lord: The resurrection of Jesus established Him as Lord and King, with authority over all creation. Philippians 2:9-11 and Ephesians 1:20-22 highlight Jesus’ exaltation and His position of authority. This recognition of Jesus’ lordship calls believers to submit to His rule and to follow Him.

We are enabled to follow Jesus by putting on the gospel shoes in order to walk in the path of righteousness and truth. Paul wrote that we are to have our feet “shod…with…the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:14). And we are to “never remove from [our] feet the gospel shoes. Be sure to keep them on. Your feet are always to be ‘shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.’ ” —Ellen G. White, Spalding and Magan Collection, p. 280.

The resurrection of Christ Jesus has present profound practical implications for believers. The resurrection of Jesus is not just a historical event but a transforming certainty that shapes every aspect of a believer’s life. It provides hope, empowers holy living, gives purpose, strengthens us in suffering, and guides moral and ethical behavior. By embracing the implications of the resurrection, believers can live out their faith in meaningful ways. 

In closing, consider what Jones and Waggoner had to say about the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ:

“It would be needless to cite all the passages of Scripture which elucidate this subject. Their testimony leaves no room for doubt or misapprehension. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is set forth as the cardinal truth upon which the hopes of Christians depend. ‘If Christ be not raised,’ wrote Paul to the Corinthians, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.’ And he adds, ‘But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that ‘slept.’ 1 Cor. 15:17, 19. The resurrection of Christ from the dead is the sure pledge of the resurrection of all those who ‘sleep in Jesus.’ ” —A. T. Jones, The American Sentinel, March 25, 1897.

Not only is the resurrection of Christ the pledge of the resurrection to eternal life for all believers, but as Waggoner wrote, “The curse which blights the earth; withering the flowers, stripping the trees, and casting all nature into this death-like sleep, shall not for ever hold it in bondage. Its cruel chains have been burst asunder by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Every spring season is a parable telling that the sealed stone of His earthly prison has been rolled away, and the tree of life has sprung forth anew, to blossom and bud and fill the face of the world with fruit.” —E. J. Waggoner, Review and Herald, April 22, 1902.

 

~Jerry Finneman