The Christ of Resurrection

The are many religions in the world, but only Christianity is based on a relationship with a risen Savior! 

“The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.”
Acts 1:3

Look at that phrase, “to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering.” Underline the thought, “He presented Himself!” In John 10:18, the Lord Jesus said, “No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.” In resurrection, the blessed Lord Jesus has presented Himself alive, and He does it by many infallible proofs during the forty days between His resurrection and His ascension. During that time, He teaches His disciples about the Kingdom of God. 

“For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.”
1 Corinthians 15:3-4

In 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, the entire chapter, we learn something else paramount to Christianity. The gospel message is that “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” Without the Resurrection, the work of Salvation is not complete. If we preach the gospel and leave Christ on the Cross, the gospel is not complete! If we preach the gospel and leave Christ in the tomb, the gospel is not complete! “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.”

But I would like to focus a bit on what kind of Christ we have. I would like for us to see this blessed Man in resurrection as the disciples saw Him after that third day when He rose victoriously out from among the dead!

First, we have a Living Christ! In Revelation 1:18, our Lord could say, “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.” He is no longer the suffering on the Cross, and He is not in the grave. His head that once was marred with a crown of thorns and beaten is now glowing in the glory of His person, radiant with immortal life. As followers of Jesus Christ, we have a living Christ!

We also have a Victorious Christ! Satan had done his worst. Man had done his best to hold Him captive in the grave! But “up from the grave He arose with a mighty triumph over His foes, He arose a Victor from the dark domain, and He lives forever with His saints to reign. He arose, He rose, Hallelujah! Christ arose!” He passed through the tomb without rolling the huge stone away. The stone was rolled away to prove He is not here. He is risen! And now He waits. In Hebrews 10:12-13 we read, “But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool.” He is the Victorious Christ!

He is a Caring Christ. In John 20:15, He appears to Mary Magdalene. Her heart is broken. When asked by the angels why are you weeping, she answers because “they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” But then she turned and saw the Lord. But she supposed He was the gardener. And when asked by Him why she was crying, her heart’s affection is obvious, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” In a tender, caring tone, our Lord replies, “Mary!” The Good Shepherd calls His sheep by name! The resurrected Christ calls her by name! This touching scene was repeated over and over during those forty days. Think of the two on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24. Think of how He appears to backslidden Peter in John 21. He shows Himself to them as a caring companion, a wonderful Counselor, and mighty God! 

We also see Him in Matthew 28:18 as the mighty Christ. The One who could say, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” The very One of whom Peter could say, on the Day of Pentecost, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36). The very One who as the Lamb will hold the book and open the seals of judgment (Revelation 5). Of this One, Paul prays for the saints at Ephesus,  ^“the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” (Ephesians 1:18-23) This same One is “able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)

He is a Loving Christ. We saw some of this in John 20 when He appeared to Mary. We saw His sympathy and love. And again, we see it with the way He restores Peter in John 21. “When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.” (John 21:15-19)

He was a Physical Christ. He was not a ghost. He had a physical body, a glorified body! He could say in Luke 24:39, “Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.” “But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, “Have you any food here” (Luke 24:41)? He could say to Thomas, who had said, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe,” He could, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” But to each of us, He would say, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20).

Lastly, He is an Ever-present Christ. In the so-called Great Commission, He said, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Hebrews 13:5 remind us that He will never leave us or forsake us.

Think of it beloved. The Lord Jesus Christ is not a dead Savior. He is a living, victorious, caring, mighty, loving, physical and ever-present Christ. This is my Christ and your Christ! Hallelujah what a Savior!

I hope your able to say with the Hymn writer, 

I serve a risen Savior, He’s in the world today.
I know that He is living, whatever men may say.
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer
And just the time I need Him, He’s always near.

In all the world around me I see His loving care
And tho’ my heart grows weary, I never will despair.
I know that He is leading thro’ all the stormy blast.
The day of His approaching will come at last 

Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King!
The hope of all who seek Him, the help of all who find.
None other is so loving, so good, and kind.

He lives, he lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, he lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know he lives. He lives within my heart.