#4 Random Thoughts: At the Cross – By the Resurrection
At the cross of Jesus Christ everything written in the law of Moses and the prophets was accomplished, (John 19:28). At the cross of Jesus Christ Israel stumbled (1 Cor 1:23) and his disciples were scattered; few remained (John 19:25). At the cross of Jesus Christ people didn’t just weep, they bewailed and lamented, (Luke 23:27). At the cross of Jesus Christ death was swallowed up, (Heb 2:14-15; 1 Cor 15:54). At the cross of Jesus Christ, our faith was in vain and we were still in our sins, (1 Cor 15:13-17).
BUT…three days later…!!
By the resurrection of Jesus Christ, he proved he was God, (Rom 1:4). By the resurrection, we have hope of eternal life, (Romans 6:5, Col 1:5). By the resurrection of Jesus Christ, a mystery was revealed that had been hidden in God and kept secret since before the world began, (1 Cor 2:7, Eph 3:9, Col 1:26). By the resurrection of Jesus Christ a new creature was made, (2 Cor 5:17, Gal 6:15). By the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the two bodies became one, (Eph 4:4).
If I’ve learned anything in the last two years it’s the importance of emphasizing the resurrection of Jesus Christ when teaching about the salvation that God offers us in this glorious age of grace today, (1 Cor 15:1-4) Don’t stop at the cross! Yes, it was important! Without the cross of Jesus Christ, there would be no resurrection, but we don’t mourn the cross of Christ, we glory in it as Paul did, being a minister for the joy and salvation that it brings by the resurrection, (1 Cor 1:23, 1 Cor 2:2)
My prayer for you all is that God through Jesus Christ would give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him, opening your eyes of understanding to the truth of his word. That you would enjoy the riches of his glory and the greatness of his power, believing in his death, burial and resurrection unto eternal life, (Eph 1:16-19).