In Christ's Resurrection And Exaltation

by R.B. Fullarton, Innerleithen, Scotland | Category: The Eternal God Revealed | Jul 1994

The resurrection, ascension and exaltation of the Lord Jesus Christ is the essential sequel to His atoning death. His departure from earth and arrival and glorification in heaven present an enthralling study. In these events the three Persons of the Godhead have distinctive functions and yet act in perfect unity.

It is a glorious truth that the Son who came to suffer and die for sinners went back to the splendour that was His eternally, as a result of His incarnation. He has carried back, in His own Person, the glory of perfect humanity. His resurrection and exaltation were essential components and the central truth of the apostles' preaching. This truth contradicted human experience and defied natural reasoning and logic. The Scriptures contain the documentary evidence in the Old Testament prophecy and New Testament affirmation by those who saw Him, and the effect of such divine actions has influenced the course of world history. The believer's own resurrection is dependent upon Christ's resurrection, as is his or her justification (Rom. 4:25). Without it all hope vanishes, all expectation of future bliss disappears. Moreover, its truth is an impetus to Christian living and experience (Phil. 3:10). Exaltation has to follow resurrection as glory must follow suffering. His humiliation had to end in exaltation. Our Substitute in death is now our Representative at God's right hand. He is Firstborn from the dead, possessing a new inheritance and sovereignty which He shares with His own who gladly acknowledge and submit to His authority. Christianity, alone of all the world's so called "religions" can claim a living and enthroned Saviour.

Peter's powerful address on the Day of Pentecost draws together the work of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit - Jesus raised, the Father's exaltation of Him, and the Spirit outpoured in visible evidence to all (Acts 2:32,33). The outcome of such testimony was repentance for sin and reception of the message by so many with a commitment to life-long service in the collective testimony of God. His titles Lord and Christ particularly emphasize authority and power over death, linking together in Act 2:36 crucifixion, resurrection and throne occupancy on His return from earth's sojourn and suffering. Truly, these truths are not products of the imagination but historical facts. That which was predicted by prophets (Ps. 16:10; Is. 52:13) and proclaimed by apostles

was supported by infallible proofs that nothing but blind unbelief would refuse to accept.

The Lord repeatedly spoke to both followers and accusers of His forthcoming resurrection and exaltation, giving encouragement and warning simultaneously. Again and again He revealed Himself as the I AM of eternity. In John 10 He is "the door" - the only way to God, and "the Shepherd" in His vicarious death for the sheep. He laid down His life - a voluntary act, but it was the Father who raised Him up (Acts 2:32). He emptied Himself, but it was the Father who exalted Him (Phil. 2:7,9). Resurrection and exaltation were the Father's act, His seal of approval on the Son's work. Of course, as in the death of Christ the eternal Spirit and the Father were involved (Heb. 9:14), so in resurrection the Spirit's mighty work and the Father's glory were also working in unison: divine Persons acting in perfect harmony and unity. The Spirit's role is described as "quickening" in 1 Peter 3:18, complementary to the Father's exceeding great power (Eph. 1:20).

The resurrection and exaltation of the Saviour are evidence of the Father's vindication of the Son's accomplishment and validation of all He said and did. When the Spirit was given, it was His work to testify through believers to this wondrous truth, outworking of God's purpose and will in the believer's life, following baptism. The conscience is exercised and the heart is assured of the rightness of such a step in the will of God, confirmed by the Spirit through the Saviour's death, burial and ascension to His present position of glory and honour at the Father's right hand.

Paul's letter to the Church of God in Ephesus highlights repeatedly the unity and diversity of the working of the three persons of the Godhead in the life of the believer. Sealed by the Holy Spirit on believing in Jesus, the child of God is introduced by the Father into the untold wealth of divine revelation and membership of the Church which is Christ's Body, all this emanating from Him who became dead and is alive for evermore. A mighty display of the power of Deity was required to raise Christ from the dead. This was "far above"' any earthly power and it is this same power which is within us" according to that working of the strength of His might" (1:19). This dynamic force is ours when Christ is given His rightful place in our hearts and lives (3:20).

The Father's joy is the exaltation of the Son. He has been placed in Zion as chief corner stone of the spiritual house of today (1 Pet. 2:6). He is the anointed King and Son (Ps. 2:2,6,7). Against Him nations still rage yet His position of glory is unaffected. The divine Spirit calls to the peoples for homage and worship of the exalted One. From the Cross and the tomb back to the throne, the Son travelled in the power of the Spirit and the will of the Father. Calvary's overwhelming grief has been exchanged for heaven's full joys and unending pleasures.

R.B. Fullarton, Innerleithen, Scotland | Jul 1994
The Eternal God Revealed