[I want to know Christ—] yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings…
Summary: Suffering and resurrection are bound together in this passage. One leads to the other.
The day Jesus died is confusing because so much was happening at the time. Consider, for a moment, all the threads associated with that day.
First was the curse. The Bible is only in its third chapter before sin enters the picture and corrupts what God has made. God’s response is a promise:
“I will put hostility between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and her offspring.
He will strike your head,
and you will strike his heel.” — Genesis 3:15
The death of Jesus on the cross is Satan “strik[ing] his heel.”
Then there is the drama around our Lord’s betrayal by Judas. Judas not only betrays Jesus to those who wanted to kill him, but he does it for money.
The morning of Christ’s death, while it is still dark, Jesus endures another kind of betrayal. His most outspoken disciple, Peter, is overcome by fear and denies Jesus three times.
Shall we go on?
Shall we talk about the plot to kill Jesus, the concerns that motivated his death, and the political intrigue surrounding his trial?
What about the execution itself? What about the way that Jesus was tortured, mocked, ridiculed, and derided? Should we discuss the long march to Golgotha, carrying the cross? Should we remember how Jesus collapsed on the way? Should we think about the man who helped carry the cross?
Then Jesus is nailed to the cross. Nailed! Expertly attached to the rough wood of the cross with iron spikes located in the most sensitive nerves of the hands and feet. The pain of the moment would not fade until the heart that beat in his chest stopped working.
Even then, hanging in humiliation and pain, the suffering continued. The thieves who were crucified with Jesus mocked him. One repented and Jesus forgave… while dying … on the cross.
There is more, of course. Much more. Yet Paul is looking beyond all that. Paul sees the goal posts at the end of the field. Beyond the goal posts, he sees the scoreboard, and beyond that, in the distance, he sees the celebration of victory over death.
The power of his resurrection and the participation in his suffering are commingled, but the victory over death is not.
Application: Death is not the end. It is the doorway to what is next.
Food for Thought: How is Christ’s resurrection tied to our own?
How is Christ’s resurrection tied to our own?
Jesus is the source of all good works of all believers. He is the power, the first fruit of life, who will return for all believers whom God has predestined as His people, before the foundation of this world.
Hebrews 5:9, and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.
1 Corinthians 15:20, But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
John 14:3, And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
John 17:24, Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
Hi Ron,
Thank you for pointing us to the Scripture about “first fruits.”
That is a powerful image, both biblically and personally.
Thank you for your devotion today brother. I really enjoyed it. Well done. And I agree with the comments and great Bible verses of R2T2. He brought up the passage that went through my mind – 1 Corinthians 15: 20. Jesus’ resurrection is definitely tied to our own as He is the firstfruits of many to come. That He defeated death shows He has the power to keep His promises that we too will be raised to new life.
John 11: 25 – 26; Jesus said to her [Martha], “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
1 Corinthians 15: 20 – 23: But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.
Thank you, Rich!
I appreciate the encouragement. 🙂
“[T]he power to keep His promises…” is an interesting topic. He created us (John 1) and, if we accept it, he has the power to re-create us, too.
Really good devotion this morning and comments. I don’t know how much I could add of value.
John 12:23-26
23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
By His death and resurrection, He bears much fruit, that is, the lives that He redeems.
By His death and resurrection, He has made it possible for us to be reconciled to God. That God no longer sees our sin, but sees Christ living within us. With His Spirit living inside of us, we are dead to sin. We were on a path to death, for those that accept Christ as Lord, we are raised to life through Him.
Thank you, Chris!
You have put into words something that is very difficult for those who do not know Christ to understand. What does it mean for God to see “Christ living within us?”
When we stop fighting to deny the Truth and accept it, having Christ in us answers all those questions.