The crucifixion of Jesus is important, but it is what follows, the resurrection, the ascension, and the second coming that we are waiting upon, that truly forms the basis of our faith.
by Rev. Jan-Louis Lee
From an early age we learn that Jesus died to pay for our sins. This is what every page of the Bible teaches us. It is the beautiful content of Peter’s confession in Matthew 16 verse 16: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”.
Christ’s way of suffering
“Christ” means “Messiah” or “Anointed One” – the One who is called, sent, and equipped by God to be our Mediator. He who can bear the burden of God’s wrath towards sin and presents our human nature before God so that we may be considered righteous.
The promise of the Messiah, who was prophesied through the ages, is fulfilled in the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. But of course, already at his birth, the shadow of the cross hangs over his ministry – for He is born to die.
It is good and right that we think about Christ’s way of suffering and believe the truth of it. After all, the penalty for sin is death, and only Jesus, our Mediator, can bear the punishment on our behalf. Yes, the gospel builds up towards the crucifixion, but what comes after it is just as important for us to believe and hold on to.
The humiliation of Jesus Christ
On the one hand we are talking about the descending line of Jesus’ humiliation, and on the other hand the line of exaltation or glorification.
The humiliation is his incarnation – his birth, suffering under Pilate, his death and burial. And take note: the disciples also did not quite understand what all this meant, because death was final in their eyes. Therefore, the eleven disciples did not want to believe the women when they returned with the news that Jesus was alive (Luke 24:11). That is also why the men on the road to Emmaus were completely stunned when Jesus walked with them in a hidden form. In fact, they were upset by what the women told them (Luke 24:22-24).
Clearly, although Jesus repeatedly foretold his death and resurrection, it was too difficult for them to believe.
The exaltation of Jesus Christ
The gospel clearly goes beyond the grave. That is why it is important to go back to what the angel in the tomb said that morning: “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” (Luke 24:5). The key words of this passage are in Luke 24:6 when the angel says: “He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you while he was still in Galilee …”
The resurrection assures us that everything Jesus preached, what He ministered – and what we believe – is the truth.
The importance of the resurrection
We must not get stuck at the crucifixion. Yes, it is important. It is the payment for the debt of our sin. But, to cling only to the crucifixion is to have only one part of the truth. This is the value of the resurrection:
• It is the guarantee that God has accepted the payment, and that we have been made righteous. In other words: sin has been punished, and we no longer have to pay for it.
• It is the guarantee that God has also now raised me through his Spirit to a new life, where sin dies more and more in me, and I live like a redeemed person. This is called sanctification.
• The resurrection guarantees me that I will also rise from the dead. Christ, who is linked to the body as our Head, has risen. Therefore, it is the certain guarantee that I too will one day rise from the sleep of death.
The ascension brings assurance
The resurrection is the central pivot of the gospel. In fact, if one were to ask the question why Christianity is the only, true religion, my starting point would be to explain the resurrection – because it is an objective truth, which forms the foundation of our entire faith.
What is even more glorious is the assurance that the ascension gives me: My Saviour is my Advocate before the Father. Jesus also promises us the comfort of the Holy Spirit: “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever …” (John 14:16).
We must look towards the second coming
The resurrection, the ascension, his seat at the right hand of the Father and his return – this is the wonderful inheritance that every believer can expect.
The crucifixion is often overemphasized, but we must go beyond that – we must believe in the glory of what happened after that. One does not read until the middle of a book and stop there or, get up in the middle of a movie and go home! No – after the crucifixion comes the resurrection, comes the ascension, comes the second coming. It is the second coming that we must keep in mind. We must always live in readiness for it.
