The Christian doctrine of God the Son and the resurrection story are not just joyous truths that believers claim but are the foundation of our faith. As we read the biblical accounts, we are challenged to contemplate the meaning of the question asked by the angels in Luke 24:5, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?” This question reminds us that we must seek life and have faith, hope, love and joy even in difficult times.
Even amid persecution and suffering, the early church was filled with joy and gratitude because they knew they belonged to God as the Bride of Christ. They had the assurance of eternal life, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and the constant presence of Jesus. This knowledge gave them the strength and courage to endure, to make sacrifices, and to love one another as Jesus loved them.
As Christians today, we have responsibilities, not the least of which are being countercultural in daily living, while battling temptations, doubts, and accusations. However, we must remember our responsibility to fellow church members (to love one another), especially in times of adversity. This is a privilege and a testament to our faith.
We must show gratitude for the privileges we enjoy, the blessings we have received, and the joy and peace that are ours in Christ. We must be filled with the love and grace of God and be a blessing to others.
You may not fully understand the resurrection. However God has revealed many truths in His Word – though understanding requires we delve deeper into the text, such as the question asked by the angels in Luke. We can study beyond the resurrectoin to the biblical accounts showing Jesus as he is preparing the disciples for their mission after His departure.
The disciples follow a difficult calling, as they are sent into a world that will hate them for their beliefs, where they know they will face persecution and possibly even death. Even Jesus’ prayer in John 17 reminds them they will need protection. The journey will involve walking towards pain rather than running from it; they will leave a testament to their unwavering faith and commitment. The disciples are responsible for loving each other as Jesus loved them, even in adversity.
Most Christians today remain conscious of their responsibilities. They know they must be on mission. All the while the believer battles temptations, doubts, and accusations. However, it is worth noting how often Jesus reminds His disciples of the privileges they enjoy, such as the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the assurance of eternal life, and the promise of His constant presence.
The early church was filled with joy and thrilled at the wonder of belonging to God, which made making sacrifices possible. They understood responsibilities and privileges yet the believers would acknowledge joy. We need the same. We need joy and to be thrilled at the thought of belonging to God. Let us not forget the immense blessing of belonging to the Bride and the priviledge of having God’s Spirit dwelling within us.
Anyone who knows Jesus, who has a deep and personal relationship with Him, knows the Father (John 14:7). This is not just superficial knowledge but a profound and intimate understanding of God’s character and His love for us. It is remarkable to watch the rising sun or look at the stars in the night sky and know the One responsible for creation. I not only know Jesus, but I know Him as closely as possible. My union with Christ is a profound and transformative spiritual reality.
Perhaps most striking are Jesus’s words to Mary after the resurrection: “Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” This union means that we are not just Jesus’s followers but part of His family. We are heirs with Christ – We are sisters of the Lord Jesus, so His Father is now our Father. The veil was torn and we now enjoy this privilege through Christ, that should fill us with awe.
Jesus describes the disciples’ experience as being part of His family, as branches connected to the vine (John 15), and as friends who know His heart. This relationship is not just an intellectual understanding but a deep, personal, and intimate connection that fills us with joy and peace. We read again and again of the closest intimacy between Jesus and us. It is as close as possible, a relationship that should fill us with gratitude. We are no longer servants. We have become friends with Jesus. In this, too, we find joy.
Excerpt from the Baptist Faith and Message 2000:
B. God the Son
Christ is the eternal Son of God. In His incarnation as Jesus Christ He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. Jesus perfectly revealed and did the will of God, taking upon Himself human nature with its demands and necessities and identifying Himself completely with mankind yet without sin. He honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and in His substitutionary death on the cross He made provision for the redemption of men from sin. He was raised from the dead with a glorified body and appeared to His disciples as the person who was with them before His crucifixion. He ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where He is the One Mediator, fully God, fully man, in whose Person is effected the reconciliation between God and man. He will return in power and glory to judge the world and to consummate His redemptive mission. He now dwells in all believers as the living and ever present Lord.
Genesis 18:1ff.; Psalms 2:7ff.; 110:1ff.; Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 53:1-12; Matthew 1:18-23; 3:17; 8:29; 11:27; 14:33; 16:16,27; 17:5; 27; 28:1-6,19; Mark 1:1; 3:11; Luke 1:35; 4:41; 22:70; 24:46; John 1:1-18,29; 10:30,38; 11:25-27; 12:44-50; 14:7-11; 16:15-16,28; 17:1-5, 21-22; 20:1-20,28; Acts 1:9; 2:22-24; 7:55-56; 9:4-5,20; Romans 1:3-4; 3:23-26; 5:6-21; 8:1-3,34; 10:4; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2:2; 8:6; 15:1-8,24-28; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; 8:9; Galatians 4:4-5; Ephesians 1:20; 3:11; 4:7-10; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:13-22; 2:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; 3:16; Titus 2:13-14; Hebrews 1:1-3; 4:14-15; 7:14-28; 9:12-15,24-28; 12:2; 13:8; 1 Peter 2:21-25; 3:22; 1 John 1:7-9; 3:2; 4:14-15; 5:9; 2 John 7-9; Revelation 1:13-16; 5:9-14; 12:10-11; 13:8; 19:16.
Debbie Swindell 