Praise for the Resurrection

As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” And they were greatly distressed.~ Matthew 17:21-23

This passage follows the astonishing meeting on the Mount of Transfiguration wherein Jesus communed with God the Father and two specially chosen saints of the Old Testament. Peter, James, and John fell faint as they observed the true nature of their Master. On the Mount, Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, just as Peter declared. (Mark 8:29) 

Jesus often referred to himself as “the son of man.” The phrase seems strange to us because we understand that he is the Son of God, just as Peter professed and observed at the Transfiguration. It helps to remember Isiah’s prophecy about Jesus, which subtly states the awaited Messiah’s nature, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.” (9:16a) Jesus is the child of a human (man, mankind) and the Son of God. So, when he said “the son of man” will be handed over to the “hands of men,” he meant that his human body would be subjected to human authority. 

As a man, Jesus took human sin upon himself. “Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.” (Hebrews 2:17) Recall that “propitiation” means that Jesus is the means God’s grace, or the delivery mechanism - “like his brothers in every respect.” [Though the language suggests maleness, it is understood as human nature.]

The saints join the Apostle Paul in praise saying, “but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57) The victory of Jesus is celebrated as his mastery over sin, death, and Satan. Saints rejoice in Heaven too; “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” (Revelation 19:2) 

Jesus is the first of the resurrected dead, but countless multitudes will follow because of him. What is resurrection? How is it different from being raised from the dead, like Lazarus? The Transfiguration witnessed in Matthew 17 demonstrated a type of resurrection. The “son of man” was temporarily changed to be united with God the Father in His holy realm. Resurrection is a permanent union of human flesh with the kingdom of God. All Christian Believers look forward to the same transformation, whether from the grave or life in the flesh. 

Therefore, rejoice in Jesus’ sufferings and sorrows because of the victory won through them. Exalt the Name of King Jesus and submit to His rule. One day, sooner than it seems possible . . . 

“For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18) 

So, be encouraged, beloved of God. 21st Century Christian Believers ought to joyfully celebrate the resurrection they will soon experience, even while praising “Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2-3)