Tag: Resurrection

It Was Unexpected

On By TimIn Jesus, Matthew 17, Resurrection1 Comment

As they came down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.”

Matthew 17:9 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Jesus says this to a select small group of His disciples. It was spoken after they had all been up a mountain. It is an event known as the transfiguration. Jesus’ appearance changed, and Moses and Elijah made appearances there, too.

The disciples present wanted to make places for them all to stay. But a voice from heaven startled them and the disciples fell on their faces. As Jesus beckons them to rise, they find Moses and Elijah were gone.

When I encounter the passages where Jesus talks about His resurrection, I am always wanting to be attentive to the responses of those around Him. It goes back to an Easter sermon I had the privilege to hear years ago. The resurrection was unexpected.

Even here the reaction of the disciples as recorded is rather stunning, if not embarrassing. Well, in the sense of the essential pivotal importance Paul places on that one event. Look at how it transpires with this group.

His disciples asked Him, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”

Matthew 17:10 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Jesus just said He was going to rise from the dead. The three present, Peter, James and John act like they didn’t hear. They ask about Elijah. In one of the harmonized texts, we get a little more information.

As they came down the mountain, He warned them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. They kept that statement to themselves, questioning each other what the rising from the dead meant.

Mark 9:9–10 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

They did at least hear.

Jesus follows the question with a short lesson on how John the Baptist fulfilled that role.

Jesus answered, “Elijah truly does first come and will restore all things. But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not know him, but did to him whatever they pleased. Likewise, the Son of Man will also suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that He was speaking to them of John the Baptist.

Matthew 17:11–13 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

In the short answer, there are important things for us here. These things can be applied today.

We’ve been privy to a long line of prophets in Israel. Every single one suffered at the hands of others that had some authority whether rightfully or not (read that as usurped or stolen.) The ones in-charge did to John as they pleased, as had happened to those before him.

Jesus used this opportunity to yet again prepare them for what is to come. He was going to submit Himself to others so they do whatever they pleased to Him. If you’re thinking I am telling you that is how you should act… I’m not, the text is. It is giving us an example to follow.

Our three disciples didn’t even let on that they heard Jesus was going to die.

In the text, what follows is a brief encounter with a man and his child. The child has a demon. Jesus heals the child when the disciples could not. It becomes an opportunity for Jesus to teach on how powerful faith is.

This takes us to another mention of the resurrection.

While they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him, and He will be raised on the third day.” And they were extremely sorrowful.

Matthew 17:22–23 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

They obviously heard about Him dying and that shortly in time. That saddened them.

But the part that says He will be raised on the third day doesn’t even provoke the slightest curiosity as recorded here. Turning to Mark’s account, there is a little more information.

For He was teaching His disciples, saying, “The Son of Man will be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him. After He is killed, He will rise the third day.” But they did not understand the teaching and were afraid to ask Him.

Mark 9:31–32 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

That gives us a huge apologetic. Many of the skeptics of Christianity might offer an objection of a few goat-herders making up a new religion to replace or succeed Judaism. It is sometimes spoken of as a quest for wealth, fame, or notoriety. Many of those skeptics would also deny the resurrection, stating the idea was made-up, too.

If that were true, why would the disciples use texts that embarrassed them?

I mean, really! Jesus said, twice I am going to become alive after I die. There’s no surprise. There’s no shock. There’s no response that acknowledges the idea. No question as to how.

In fact, we know the accounts of the behavior after the resurrection show clearly it wasn’t expected. They really had no clue. And it’s astoundingly evident in the text.

To reinforce the facts presented, there was a small discussion about these events. When asked what they were discussing, it wasn’t about the resurrection at all.

He came to Capernaum. And being in the house, He asked them, “What was it that you disputed among yourselves on the way?” But they kept silent, for on the way they had disputed among themselves who was the greatest.

Mark 9:33–34 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

What Sign do You Show Us?

On By TimIn Jesus, John 02, ResurrectionLeave a comment

Then the Jews said to Him, “What sign do You show us, seeing that You do these things?”
Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”

John 2:18–19 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We arrive upon this seen after Jesus has just cleared the outer temple courts by means of a whip. He forcefully removed the merchandising trade that was happening in the place for worship. This outer court was the place for Gentiles to come and worship. Having trade happening in that space displaced the Gentiles and prevented them from drawing near to God.

This bit of intrigue draws the attention of the religious authorities of the day. They obviously understand Jesus acts with authority. They want to identify that authority. It provoked them to question Jesus. It wasn’t about the origins of the authority, as that is silently assumed by the question. They wanted a sign from God to prove the godly authority Jesus used was indeed from God.

Signs and Belief

As we read a bit further, it’s clear how the signs Jesus did provoke a response of belief. The direct relation between belief and signs is evident.

Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did.

John 2:23 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

He came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher who has come from God. For no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”

John 3:2 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The signs Jesus did were the assurance to some of the people that He was from God. Jesus even spoke of the necessity of these people to see signs.

Then Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders, you will not believe.”

John 4:48 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

What Sign?

In other words, by what sign will you prove yourself?

One can read on in the book of John. And as recorded in that book, a similar question was posed to Jesus a bit later in His ministry.

Therefore they said to Him, “What sign do You show then, that we may see and believe You? What work will You perform?

John 6:30 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Here, the unbelieving religious folk ask for a sign. For them, seeing a sign would allegedly let them believe the words of Jesus. (Remember how Paul spoke of the foolishness of preaching?)

The folks asking for a sign here have already been witnesses to one. Jesus fed them from a few loaves and fishes. They ate their fill as they witnessed the sign. Yet they are wanting a sign. As it would be recorded, the very next line from these folks should have reminded them of what they experienced. They were fed bread in the wilderness from the Father.

Our fathers ate manna in the desert. As it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”

John 6:31 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Jesus did not directly answer this question. At least not in the forthright manner He did when it was first posed. He did point them to the bread perhaps hoping they might remember the sign that filled their bellies the day before.

In Three Days

That is the key. When Jesus directly answered the question, it was always to draw attention to the end of His life… His death, burial, and resurrection. Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

It’s a simple answer.

We know from other Gospels this is the sign of Jonah. John never referenced the prophet Jonah in his writings. I find the absence interesting.

It is my opinion that the Gospel of John is the Gospel written primarily for the Gentile mind. Mind you, the context is very Jewish-centric of necessity. But things are written in a way for an outsider to understand.

In the same way, the prophet Jonah was sent to a Gentile city, Nineveh. It was to these people that he ministered. When the prophet entered the city, he proclaimed the coming judgment. It is that foolishness of preaching. He didn’t use any signs. These Gentiles believed him. They repented, and God relented.

Why Jonah?

The other Gospel writers recorded similar demands for signs to Jesus. In every answer, Jesus again pointed to His death, burial and resurrection. Except it always included a reference to the sign of Jonah.

Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from You.”
But He answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and will condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah. And now One greater than Jonah is here. The Queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and will condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon. And now One greater than Solomon is here.

Matthew 12:38–42 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The Pharisees and Sadducees came and, testing Him, asked Him to show them a sign from heaven.
He answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ and in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and overcast.’ O you hypocrites, you can discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. A wicked and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” So He left them and departed.

Matthew 16:1–4 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Even those that had the benefit of witnessing the miracles of Jesus firsthand didn’t believe. Though some did because of the other signs. And some did because of the preaching. Some wouldn’t believe it even if someone came back from the dead.

Jesus did rise from death after three days in the grave. It is the sign He pointed all toward. He gave what they asked.

Jesus was highlighting the one thing that saves, His being raised up after death. It wasn’t immediate, but His body was three days in the grave. Yet He lives today.

It’s because He lives that any of us could be saved. And being saved is as easy as believing the witness Jesus gave and highlighted, the sign of Jonah.

He died for your sins. He was buried and He rose again to give you new life.

Do you believe that?

If so, tell someone.

Those Who are Sanctified are All of One

On By TimIn 1 Peter 01, Encouragement, Eternal Security, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Last Days, Return of Jesus, Salvation, Sanctification, SinLeave a comment

Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that should come to you have inquired and searched diligently, seeking the events and time the Spirit of Christ, who was within them, signified when He foretold the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, concerning the things which are now reported to you by those who have preached the gospel to you through the Holy Spirit, who was sent from heaven—things into which the angels desire to look.

1 Peter 1:10–12 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Remember how we discussed previously how our salvation will be revealed in the last time. This is a reference to a time yet future that will be the end of this temporal existence. But this salvation is not hidden from us or others but is continuously being received until its full revelation at the end.

The Old Testament prophets received from God the revelations of the Spirit of the Anointed One, Jesus. Though they didn’t clearly understand the mysteries hidden in the revelations they were given. That is, the grace extended to the gentile nations. Of which we benefit.

Paul also spoke of it. He called himself a steward of God over a commission given specifically to him for us gentiles.

I have been made a servant of it according to the commission of God, which has been given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, even the mystery which has been hidden from past ages and generations, but now is revealed to His saints. To them God would make known what is the glorious riches of this mystery among the nations. It is Christ in you, the hope of glory, whom we preach, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present them perfect in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 1:25–28 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It was a truth hidden in the past.

Now, it’s almost fully revealed. What I mean is, those old-time Israeli prophets spoke of both a suffering Messiah and a triumphant Messiah. Though the prophets diligently sought to know what we know, His suffering has already been revealed to the world. It is recorded for us to read.

The glories to come are still for some future time when our salvation will be fully revealed. And that to the glory of Jesus!

We know the sufferings of the Messiah and in a similar fashion as they, we look forward to the glorious appearing and consummation of time when all is fulfilled. (The time when the New Jerusalem comes down from God.)

His triumphs and glories, though very real today and being revealed in us His saints… Are yet for a future time when He returns to Earth. When He defeats the evil that preys on humans and the world. He then takes the throne of David and rules Jerusalem and Earth. It will be as God had desired from the beginning, humanity having dominion over creation. After which Jesus will finally and gloriously put an end to the rebellion.

Those prophets knew they were serving a people yet future. Such things have resulted in your salvation. Those first-century Christians shared the testimony of the Jewish prophets who spoke of the sufferings of the Anointed One. They could show them this very same Jesus that was known among them and attested of long ago.

Why would angels want to look into these things?

Angels serve humanity. These are things also revealed by these messengers of God to men. These messengers desire to look in on. It’s salvation. The hope of glory that lives in each of us who are saints.

Considering that humans were made of the dust of the ground, with the breath of God breathed into us, we are not made in the same hierarchy as angels. We are made a little lower and intimately united with the physical reality we occupy. Humans are made of the very dust of which the earth is made.

We also have a spirit that connects to the reality that supersedes ours. Better said, it is the supernatural realm where spirits dwell. Because of sin, that reality has been veiled to us.

It’s these glorious heavenly angels who were assigned to serve the dirt creatures. It’s like that in God’s economy. The older serves the younger, the least is greatest.

That idea has been corrupted, though. When sin entered, the dirt creatures took upon themselves the desire to be like God. They fell away. And corrupted His order by serving their own selfishness. Not serving others, let alone the least.

What is this?

That the very Creator of these dusty men would humble Himself and add that very same dusty nature. He would step that low, placing Himself even under the angels.

I am thinking wholly of the first two chapters of the book of Hebrews and how eloquently it describes the suffering and then triumphant Messiah. This is how the author says it:

But someone in a certain place testified, saying: “What is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him?
You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor, and set him over the works of Your hands. You have put all things in subjection under his feet.”
For in subjecting all things under him, He left nothing that is not subjected to him. Yet now we do not see all things subject to him.

Hebrews 2:6–8 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This speaks of how Jesus came to us as One of us, made lower than the angels. Yet at the same time, crowned with glory and honor. (Yet to be revealed in the last times and for which we patiently wait.)

It was that sin. Rebellion was taken on by creatures made of dust. That very thing would be used to defeat sin and death.

Sin earns wages paid in blood. The God of all paid His own blood to satisfy the wages of sin. Sin had no claim on Him, but death attempted to master Him.

The enemy, thinking this would be a perfect way to vanquish God, seized Him. He was crucified and died. Being perfect, death really had no claim on Him.

Yet His blood was shed.

His divine-human blood was the perfect payment for an infinite human debt. A debt He didn’t owe, but one that encumbered all of humanity was completely satisfied.

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels to suffer death, crowned with glory and honor, so that He, by the grace of God, should experience death for everyone.

Hebrews 2:9 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I can scarcely comprehend that. Even as I write this stuff. It’s above my pay-grade. Yet I know it is true.

There is more.

This Son of God is now (also) a Man. (I am writing it like that for lack of a better way to understand. The Son of God took on humanity. The divine and human United in One. I italicized the One to emphasize not only this but the Unity of Father-Son-Spirit.)

He has wrested the rights to dominion over the creation as God had intended at creation. Men will master it. In this case, One Perfect Man.

For it was fitting for Him, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the Author of their salvation perfect through suffering. For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all of One.

Hebrews 2:10–11a — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Things into which angels desire to look.

Now is the time to recall why One is emphasized earlier.

God becomes the Author of salvation by that suffering. The suffering that came by submission to His own creation.

It could only be done with blood. Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins.

Blood that only exists in our temporal physical reality. Angels don’t have blood. Blood cannot be shed for them. That is why those fallen spirits tremble at the name of Jesus. Their destiny is sure and there is no hope for them.

Angels were made higher than humans. The Creator made Himself human. He placed Himself lower than them. He died, rose again. Setting humans higher than angels. (Do you not know you are going to judge angels?)

Just as Jesus partook of the nature of humanity, taking it wholly upon Himself… He invites us dirt-creatures to partake of the divine nature. It starts at our salvation when He comes to live in us.

Those who are sanctified are all of One.

We celebrate that every single time that we come to the Lord’s Table. As we hold in our hands the broken bread and the wine, these represent His human body broken for us and His human-yet-divine bloodshed from it. We are to take that inside of us. It’s a typification of what is yet to be revealed. We partake of the divine nature.

But to partake, one needs to be like Him. We all need to humble ourselves.

1. Acknowledge in our minds that the things written about Him are really real.

2. Believe that what He says is really real. That He rose again. That is for us. Trusting in it like you would trust a chair to hold you up by sitting in it.

3. Confess the truth out loud with our mouths. And the. Confess our sins to Him asking Him to remove them completely.

That’s the first step to partaking in the divine nature. You are then given new hope through the resurrection.

A Living Hope

On By TimIn 1 Peter 01, Daily Walk, Encouragement, Last Days, Resurrection, Salvation, Spiritual WarfareLeave a comment

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that does not fade away, kept in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now, if for a little while, you have had to suffer various trials, in order that the genuineness of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tried by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom, having not seen, you love; and in whom, though you do not see Him now, you believe and you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, receiving as the result of your faith the salvation of your souls.

1 Peter 1:3–9 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It’s the resurrection, really. This is our one hope. But it isn’t a dead hope, it lives. That’s because Jesus Christ lives! If you are truly born again, you are born into a living hope.

This world isn’t our home.

With much of what has happened of late, it makes many hearts heavy, even mine. It seems as if every man is pitted against another, and it even tends to be true for Christians. How sad that.

Brothers and sisters, we have hope in Jesus! We know this world isn’t our home. That’s not an escape fantasy, just the plain truth. Sometimes we pay more attention to what’s plastered in front of us by various media. That tends to make our focus drift to temporary problems. We lose our true objective.

The entire world is careening toward chaos. That isn’t unexpected. All things have been defiled with corruption. Yet what we have reserved for us is pure and undefiled. Why occupy our minds with that?

Some may criticize, saying we Christians are too heavenly-minded to be any earthly good. Yet that isn’t true. What hope can we accomplish with perishing things?

More laws are not the answer. The number of statutes that govern any one of us is mind-boggling now. Adding to them will accomplish little. It certainly cannot change the hearts of men.

Think of it this way. There will be some who might not ever see the hope we have by the way we live. I don’t mean to say we don’t care about things here and now, but let them not occupy our thoughts and weigh us down. Let us point our thoughts to the hope we have. It’s the only hope for a dying world. We witness that daily.

Rejoice in what God has done.

Because you are saved, you are protected by God Himself through believing what He says is true. Though Peter hints our salvation is yet to be revealed, in a future sense, is it ours now?

When the trials come, it is a test of our faith. It is to reveal authenticity. It might be that what each of us suffers demonstrates to those looking at us in the trial, the really real reality of what we believe. It could very well be the impetus that inclines their own heart toward God. More than that, I think the trials are to demonstrate to our own selves our own real genuine faith. They are there to reveal our salvation in the present moments.

We haven’t seen Jesus. But we believe and love Him. We rejoice in Him. To do those things brings joy is unspeakable.

I know as I set out to write this, my heart was heavy with the cares of this world. But this text, and thinking through it right my reality. It brings joy! I have a real Hope!

It’s real joy!

I remember my salvation is real. I have an incorruptible inheritance with Jesus Christ.

Just as Peter said, our salvation will be revealed in latter times. We are continuously receiving it in the present. We are obtaining our salvation as a result of our faith.

Jesus finished the work.

We believe it.

We get the benefit, now.

The Last Man

On By TimIn 1 Corinthians 15, Death, ResurrectionLeave a comment

For since death came by man, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

1 Corinthians 15:21 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I love nuggets of truth hidden in plain sight. For that reason, this is one of my favorite portions of Scripture.

Death came by man. It came by one man and it spread to all men because of their own sin.

Therefore as sin came into the world through one man and death through sin, so death has spread to all men, because all have sinned.

Romans 5:12 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It is also by man that came the resurrection of the dead. That is, by One Man came resurrection. He is called First Fruits. His name is Jesus.

If you read a bit further in 1 Corinthians, you will see Paul call Jesus that Last Adam. And I want you to think of that when you encounter the word man in our text above.

In other words, since death came by Adam, by Adam came also the resurrection of the dead. What Paul is saying is that Jesus Christ, being the Last Adam (or the Last Man) is the One Who fixes all that has been broken by the first man’s sin.

Jesus really is the Last Man.

Firstfruits of the First Resurrection

On By TimIn 1 Corinthians 15, Justification, Last Days, Rapture, ResurrectionLeave a comment

But now is Christ risen from the dead and become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came by man, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterward, those who are Christ’s at His coming. Then comes the end when He will deliver up the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.

1 Corinthians 15:20–24 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Jesus is Firstfruits of the resurrection of the dead. As Paul continues to explain the resurrection, we’ve understood from that context before, it is bodily. It is to a new type of body that isn’t subject to sin. (This idea is elaborated upon later in the text.) In his continuing instruction, there is something more for us to understand. Rightly, it points to Jesus. He is the Firstfruits, but of what?

The term firstfruits is significant. But first, let’s explore the significance of this term from one perspective; the feasts established in the Torah, The law is called a schoolmaster.

But before faith came, we were imprisoned under the law, kept for the faith which was later to be revealed. So the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

Galatians 3:23–24 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It was to bring us to Christ. Therefore the feasts established for Israel in the law would also be a tutor. These feats are patterns to help us identify the Messiah. There were seven established, some of which have been fulfilled by Jesus on Earth.

The first is Passover. In the first Passover we learn that the blood of an unblemished lamb protected the household where it was applied to the doorposts from the death of the firstborn. In the same way, Jesus fulfilled this by shedding His own blood. That when properly applied by the believer, metaphorically on the doorposts of the heart. It protects the firstborn of that house, the believer himself from sudden death. This isn’t protection from any death, but the death that comes as a judgment from God.

The second is The Feast of Unleavened Bread. Biblically, leaven is a typification of sin. The idea conveyed is the haste to escape Egypt. They had no time to leaven their bread. It is also at this time that leaven is also removed from houses. In the same way, Jesus takes away the leaven in our lives. In a sense… We also ought to hurry to believe when we are confronted with the truth.

The third is The Feast of Firstfruits. This is a celebration of the firstfruits and is done at the beginning of the spring harvest. It was signified by waving a sheaf of the first grain harvested to the priest. He would then wave this before the Lord in an offering. In like manner, Jesus also had to be presented before God.

Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father. But go to My brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.’ ”

John 20:17 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

These are the spring feasts, the first three of seven ordained for Israel. All three have been fulfilled by Jesus just as the Old Testament patterns indicate. The fourth feast Pentecost, is also one said to be fulfilled, but I will leave for another time.

I want to talk about firstfruits. Just as the pattern is established in the feasts, this was the first of the entire harvest. What then is the significance?

Paul shows the order of the harvest. “Christ the firstfruits; afterward, those who are Christ’s at His coming. Then comes the end when He will deliver up the kingdom to God the Father.” I think that’s inclusive of the harvest. What I mean is, we have the beginning of the harvest given and the end when Christ comes, which is not the rapture. This is clearly explained to us in another place.

I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and the authority to judge was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness of Jesus and for the word of God. They had not worshipped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection.

Revelation 20:4–5 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Jesus has to come again to reign on Earth. At His coming, those who died justified (Acts 24:15) will be raised up to reign with Him. “Then comes the end.”

The harvest that Jesus is Firstfruits of began with His resurrection. It will end with the beginning of His Millennial reign. The harvest will continue, meaning there will be multiple resurrections in between. All of which is part of the First Resurrection of the just (Luke 14:14) to life (John 5:29.)

It’s the Resurrection

On By TimIn 1 Corinthians 15, Atonement, Resurrection, Salvation1 Comment

Now if Christ is preached that He rose from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?

1 Corinthians 15:12–19 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is a perfect subject to discuss given this time of year. Just as Paul transitions from demonstrating his own credentials as an apostle born at the wrong time and his preaching of the authentic Gospel, he points to the main thing in that Gospel.

Now, I am going to say something that may seem controversial yet nevertheless important. I do not intend to offend. We Christians (I include myself chiefly) love the cross. We sing if it. It adorns our churches. I am wearing one around my neck right now. The cross is great! By what happened there is bloody and gruesome. It was a transaction involving death. One where our death burden was laid on Another. It was satisfied completely giving all of us a respite from certain death. In a sense, the cross saves all of us.

It’s the resurrection!

That will be made very plain. Pay close attention to how Paul explains it to the Gentiles in Corinth. They were Greeks. Grecian ideas of the afterlife didn’t include bodily resurrection and only spoke of the immortality of the soul. That idea came from Gnosticism which held that all of the human weakness, sin, and death were in the body. Death was freedom from that bondage. Therefore, the idea of a resurrected body meant a return to the bondage of weakness and death.

Paul is correcting the error and explains the reality of a bodily resurrection and most important, the real hope that comes with it.

If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not risen.

1 Corinthians 15:13 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It’s simple… No resurrection… No risen Jesus. The risen and living Savior is essential to the Gospel. It is as essential as the cross, but more important.

If Christ has not risen, then our preaching is vain, and your faith is also vain.

1 Corinthians 15:14 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The resurrection is of utmost necessity to the Gospel. If it weren’t real, the Gospel Paul preached would be in vain. It could offer no real hope.

It’s a simple progression of logic:

No bodily resurrection, no resurrected Jesus.

No resurrected Jesus, no hope for anyone.

No hope, the Gospel Paul taught would really be a false witness. It quickly progresses to the real problem at the end of denying the resurrection.

Yes, and we would then be found false witnesses of God, because we have testified that God raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up, if in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ has not been raised. If Christ is not raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins.

1 Corinthians 15:15–17 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

There is where the canker gnaws. (If I may borrow the line.) Paul is teaching that our sins are not washed away in the resurrection!

If Christ is not raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins.

There is a clear difference between what happened with the Savior’s death… And what happens after His resurrection. It is necessary to have an alive and resurrected Savior to take away our sins.

Don’t get me wrong. The cross is necessary for every human. We need the time it gives and that rest from execution, to seek the living offering and confess our sins. Only then are our sins removed.

It’s the cross, yes. But it’s the resurrection. It’s a living Savior Who can remove sin.

Preached through Jesus the Resurrection of the Dead

On By TimIn Acts 04, Death, ResurrectionLeave a comment

As they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them, being greatly troubled because they taught the people and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they seized them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. But many of those who heard the word believed, and the number of the men grew to about five thousand.

Acts 4:1–4 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Preached the resurrection?

This turn of phrase in Acts is enlightening. I mean, how different is that from today’s preaching?

Imagine what would ‘preaching through Jesus the resurrection from the dead’ looks like. Instead, we get preaching of other things. I am not disparaging that. What I am saying is we focus much more on the death of Jesus. That’s not a bad thing as it brought a respite whereby we can read these words.

Yet, it is the resurrection from the dead that is everything. Without it, there is no real hope. It’s because He lives, I can have a reason to live… A reason to love others. In fact, that is the only real way to love others. Without Him, it is a far more difficult thing to do.

We focus muchly on death, the wages of sin, and its power over us. Perhaps that is to reach the unsaved person who attends church. His death gives us freedom from the just recompense due to sin. Ought we not use that freedom to seek remission of sins and put our hope in the only One Who has demonstrated power over death?

It could be the vestiges of papism. From the moment one enters certain churches, it is apparent that death is present. Jesus is often portrayed as dead and still suspended on a cross. When a mass is offered, it’s a celebration of death. Jesus is re-crucified (dying again) at the ringing of a bell. And that was done on command of the priest.

Friend… Jesus died once. His death is for all. It says the just recompense of your sin. He isn’t angry at you. The time now is to change your mind. Seek the Savior who died your death. He has a gift of life for you.

It Was Not Possible That He Should be Held by Death

On By TimIn Acts 02, Death, ResurrectionLeave a comment

You have taken Him, who was handed over to you by the ordained counsel and foreknowledge of God, and by lawless hands have crucified and killed Him, whom God raised up by loosening the pull of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.

Acts 2:23–24 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Given His earthly ministry, Jesus spoke of His death and His resurrection. At best, His disciples were oblivious to the things He said about it. They didn’t understand the resurrection, nor did they expect it. Think about that, imagine someone trying to tell you about hypervisor. It’s real. But most peoples’ collective wisdom knows no such thing. It would be hard to explain any details to anyone who didn’t know what it is. Resurrection would be the same thing. No person who heard Jesus had experienced anybody walking out of a grave after three days dead.

But now they did!

In the citation above, Peter is preaching. Even in the early stages of this ministry, what Peter didn’t know before the crucifixion, He now clearly understood.

There was no possible way death could have power over Jesus. Peter explains it by quoting David.

For David says concerning Him: ‘I foresaw the Lord always before me, for He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken. Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; moreover my flesh will dwell in hope. For You will not abandon my soul to Hades, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy with Your presence.’

Acts 2:25–28 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.

That’s it. Jesus is that Holy One. Corruption has no power over holiness. Peter continues urgently; he speaks of David having died and been buried. He speaks of the presence of David’s tomb. Yet David knew the promises of God were true, that He would raise up the Messiah to sit on his own throne.

he foresaw this and spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not abandoned to Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. God raised up this Jesus, of which we all are witnesses. Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured out this which you now see and hear.

Acts 2:31–33 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Those present were also privy to the recent events, and now they were eyewitnesses to this pouring out of the Holy Spirit. They see and hear for themselves.

Peter is telling them what David told them, this Messiah would be Lord. That is, the very God of David.

For David has not ascended to the heavens, yet he says:
‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at My right hand,
Until I make Your enemies
Your footstool.” ’
“Therefore, let all the house of Israel assuredly know that God has made this Jesus, whom you have crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

Acts 2:34–36 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Jesus has been Gifted Everything

On By TimIn John 05, Resurrection, Salvation1 Comment

For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom He will. The Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all men should honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.

John 5:21–23 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Everything the Father has is given to Jesus; just as we see here, Jesus even has the power to raise the dead. More importantly, Jesus has the power to give life!

Maybe you’ve never thought that through. Yet right here… Jesus is making a bold statement. Wait, you’ve never really thought that Jesus is God?

That first statement is an attestation to that simple fact.

The Son Gives Life to Whom He Will

Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living being.

Genesis 2:7 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I get it. The Father has to draw. The Father has to grant life. That is also given to Jesus.

He gave life to you! How do I know?

You’re breathing and reading this. He breathed the breath of life into you. Furthermore, the Father wants all of me to honor the Son. So that they may have access to the Father.

He who believes in the Son has eternal life. He who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

John 3:36 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)
That Judgment Thing

God has even given the authority to judge solely to Jesus. He is the One Who chooses. He is the One Who judges.

Yet Jesus would have you honor Him just as any of us would honor God. Remember, He chooses.

All of us have had the wrath of God on us. Some may still be under that encumbrance. Yet we know the Father and the Son don’t want that for you. Don’t believe me. It’s right there…

“that all men should honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. ”

All men is better understood as all humans. He chose to give you life by sending His Son for you to believe and believe in.

The math is simple… Those that want to honor the Father must honor the Son. There is simply no other way.

If you think Jesus was a good man and a great Hebrew, that’s not good enough.

If you think Jesus was a great teacher and an example to follow, that’s not still good enough.

If you think Jesus came to teach us how to love others, that won’t work.

Even if you think Jesus died on a cross thousands of years ago, neither is that good enough.

You must honor Jesus as you honor God. And we do that by first believing He is Who He said He is… God. We can then believe His death was personal… Sufficient for each of us. Proven in that we’re still breathing.

The Father sent the Son to save the world; thus giving everyone enough time to understand these things. All who inhabit the world ought to honor the Son and be given life… Eternal life.