April 11, 2004
Opened To Declare!
Many people have varying ideas regarding who Jesus is. The truth about Jesus and how we are to relate to Him is of eternal significance. It is not enough to simply place Him in a category with other great teachers or martyrs for a cause.
In the opening of his letter to the church at Rome, Paul wasted no time pointing to the declaration of Who Jesus was!
“(1) Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, (2) which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, (3) concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh (4) and was DECLARED TO BE THE SON OF GOD IN POWER according to the Spirit of holiness BY HIS RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD, Jesus Christ our Lord,” ( Romans 1:1-4 ESV)
Yes, the fact Jesus fit prophecy after prophecy pointed clearly to His Divinity. ( John 5:39-40) The power displayed in His miracles also testified to Who He was. ( John 10:25 & 38) Though Jesus willingly submitted to a cruel death by crucifixion, He died by a means others had suffered. But it was Jesus’ victory over death -- the POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION -- that was the clincher in pointing to His being the SON OF GOD! It was the sign of Jonah ( Matthew 12:39-40) He had referred to earlier in His ministry. It was undeniable. Why else would some of the Jewish leaders have paid off the soldiers who had been given charge to guard the tomb and circulate the story the disciples had stolen the body? ( Matthew 28:11-15) They knew what the implications of an EMPTY TOMB represented!
The EMPTY TOMB was opened, not so that Jesus could get out, but so that human eyes could see He was no longer there. It was the open declaration of the Savior who came to give His life that through Him we could have life and have it abundantly ( John 10:10) and eternally. HIS RESURRECTION is the assurance of our own who belong to Him. ( 1 Corinthians 15:20-23) May we openly declare His Lordship by our life and words.
Have a great day TRUSTING IN HIS RESURRECTION POWER!
Carl
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