The body of Christ reflects on the life, death, and resurrection of Christ at Easter. Because of this, those who believe in Jesus have a living hope! But many have questions about…
- Jesus being fully God and fully man
- Jesus’ death and what it means for humanity
- Jesus’ resurrection and what it means for humanity
- How to respond to it all
People have said Jesus was a man who taught profound truths and provided an example of how we are to live. But the Bible clearly shows that Jesus was not just fully man but also fully God. His 7 “I Am” statements were claims of His deity. His struggles and temptations were a reflection of His humanity. And, as we celebrate Easter, we can rejoice because the resurrection of Christ means we have a living hope!
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”—1 Peter 1:3-5 (emphasis added)
The Claims Jesus Made During His Life | Fully Man and Fully God
Jesus claimed to be God as He spoke to the Jewish audience that knew about the covenant-keeping God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They grew up studying the Old Testament scriptures and were taught about the one true God of the Bible. The “I Am” statements made by Jesus were significant claims of His deity and spoke of the human manifestation of their God.
Jesus took the claims of God and personified them, revealing their fullness to humanity.
As a result, those who believe in Jesus’ claims have a living hope still today!
Jesus Fully Man
Son of God…
- “…which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.”—Romans 1:2-4 (emphasis added)
When the Bible says Jesus is the “Son of God,” it means that He is God manifest in human form, or the flesh, as John 1:14 says, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…” It is a picture of Jesus’ humanity.
Came in the flesh…
- “By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God.”—1 John 4:2-3
When the Bible says Jesus “came in the flesh,” it means that Jesus came fully human into this world.
Jesus Fully God
“Jesus said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.’”—John 8:58
The Old Testament says God is…
- Redeemer (Isaiah 44:6)
- Protector (Psalm 3:3)
- Deliverer (Jeremiah 39:17-18)
- Provider (Psalm 107:9)
- The Giver of life (Psalm 36:9)
- Creator of all things (Genesis 1:1)
…and so much more!
The New Testament says Jesus…
- Redeems us and purifies us (Titus 2:14)
- Protects us from worry, guilt, and shame (Matthew 11:28-30)
- Delivers us from sin and death (Romans 6:23)
- Provides all we need (John 6:35, Philippians 4:19)
- Gives eternal life (John 10:28-29)
- And the Father are one (John 10:30)
- Created all things (Colossians 1:16-17)
…and so much more!
What Jesus’ Death Means for Humanity
Without Jesus’ crucifixion on the cross, our sins would not be forever forgiven. We would not be reconciled to God and given eternal life. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).
His death means that He took the sins of humanity and paid the price to a just and holy God (see Romans 3:24-25). When we put our trust in and have faith that Jesus paid the price we owe and that there is nothing we can do to earn our salvation, we agree with God’s Word that Jesus is who He claims to be.
- “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”—Ephesians 2:8-9
What Jesus’ Resurrection Means for Humanity
The resurrection of Christ means we have a living hope in God’s Word.
Job, the oldest book in the Bible, was written thousands of years before Jesus walked on the earth. Yet, because God never changes and is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8), Job prophesied these words given to Him by God, and they came to pass in Jesus Christ: “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth…” (Job 19:25).
We can trust God’s Word will last (Isaiah 40:8) and remain true (Psalm 33:4).
The resurrection of Christ means we have a living hope that the Holy Spirit guides us.
Jesus said He did not leave us as orphans (John 14:8) but that another would come in His name. This was the promise of the Holy Spirit. He told the disciples that it was good for Him to die to pay the penalty for sin so the Holy Spirit could come (see John 14:15-20).
We have a living hope of the Holy Spirit’s work in us because Jesus said, “…the Spirit of truth … will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever he hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come” (John 16:13-14).
The resurrection of Christ means we have a living hope for our resurrection.
First Corinthians 15:42-44 says that those who put their faith in Jesus will enjoy a resurrected life with glorified bodies raised in power. We will no longer live in corrupted, dishonorable, or weak bodies but be raised in an incorruptible, honorable, and powerful spiritual body!
Even when we go through trials and tribulations in this body, we can have a living hope that our life in Jesus will never end!
Your Response to the Life, Death, and Resurrection of Christ
Can you see how the resurrection of Christ means we have a living hope? The Bible tells us that the enemy tries to pull us back into places of no hope, but because of Jesus, we have hope. When the enemy tries to steal your joy, hope, and peace, stand on the Word—the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. Stand in the living hope you have in your life changed by Jesus.
And may the God of hope fill you with joy and peace, by the power of the Holy Spirit, may you abound in hope (Romans 15:13)!
Need Hope?
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