#13 Ephesians
Eph 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead,
Some might say that creation was the greatest evidence of God’s power. After all, creating everything from nothing is pretty big! What about turning water into wine? Or feeding 5,000 men, twice!? Those are indeed great, but not exceedingly great. The greatest of God’s power revealed is the resurrection of a dead man! But it doesn’t even stop there. Christ was raised from the dead, walked around on earth for more than a month and then ascended into heaven…not just spiritually, but bodily. The apostles, quite literally watched Jesus go up into heaven until they just couldn’t see him any longer.
…and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Christ sits in his bodily form in an exalted position at the right hand of God in heaven right now. Because of his resurrection, by the power of God, his position encompasses all blessing, all authority, all power, all inheritance, all judgment, above everything! (Col 1:16)
This is why Paul’s gospel is more excellent than Peter’s gospel, (2 Tim 2:8). Under the mystery revealed, Christ’s real purpose for rising from the dead, was so that he would be placed above all things, creating a spiritual body that would inherit all the riches and all the power that is only found in him. Without the resurrection we have none of that.
Peter’s gospel taught that Christ rose from the dead to fulfill prophecy and that he would come back to earth and reign as the King of Israel on earth. This is a great truth and glorious for Israel who is waiting for her salvation and kingdom rule when Jesus returns to earth.
We don’t have to wait like Israel, though! Christ has given us this resurrection power right now! (Rom 6:3-5, 8:11). It’s the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ unto salvation for those that believe, (Rom 1:16). We have something far greater and more excellent than Israel had under their covenant. Grace! (2 Cor 3:9-10).
Phil 3:8-10 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Our faith is in the power of God; the resurrection proves that he is God, and is not in the wisdom of men, (1 Cor 2:5)
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. Eph 3:20-21
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might, (Eph 6:10).