From the Pastor’s Pen

Final Thoughts on II Timothy 2:8

Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel,                     NKJV

The whole foundation of Christianity rests upon the fact that Jesus Christ “was raised from the dead;” for, if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless, our faith is worthless, we are still in our sins, and believers who have died in Christ have perished (I Cor. 15:14-18).  Indeed, the divinity of Jesus finds its surest proof in His resurrection, since He was “declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead” (Rom. 1:4).  It would not be unreasonable to doubt His Deity if He had not risen.

Moreover, He is “of the seed of David.”  In accordance with His promise to David (the Davidic covenant), God has given David a descendant who was raised from the dead and will sit on His throne in Jerusalem, ruling the nations of the earth in righteousness (Psa. 2:7-9, 72:8, 89:29).  When Jesus died, His body did not see corruption, nor was His soul left in Hades (Psa. 16:10;  Acts 2:27, 31-32), but rather He emptied out the bowels of Abraham’s bosom, taking the Old Testament saints into Heaven with Him, and was raised from the dead on the third day in a glorified, incorruptible, immortal body.

Jesus’ resurrection lies at the heart of the gospel message (Rom. 10:9) and should be a powerful motivator for us, as Christians, to share the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ with a lost and dying world around us.  God has called us to be Ambassadors for Christ and given us the ministry of reconciliation (bringing sinners into a right relationship with God) through the word of reconciliation (the gospel message).  As we share the gospel, the Holy Spirit opens hearts to its truths and souls are saved; and it is all possible because Jesus, not only died for our sins, but has risen from the dead conquering sin and death.  The Lord Jesus Christ is both able and willing to save any who truly repent of their sins and through faith receive Him as their personal Savior.