THE RISEN JESUS

The resurrection of Jesus is of great importance for the Church of God. How true are Paul’s words to the Corinthians, namely, “If Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also in vain. Ye are yet in your sins.” If Christ had not risen, there would be no spiritual resurrection of sinners unto a new life; if Christ had not risen, there would be no glorious resurrection unto eternal life.

Many have rejoiced with the disciples and exclaimed, “The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared unto Simon.” Luke 24:34.

Also at the sea of Tiberias, when the risen Jesus came to His disciples, the glad sound was heard from John’s lips, “Peter, it is the Lord!”

What clear proofs did the disciples soon receive that it was the risen Lord Who appeared unto them again, which gladdened their souls. Does not every appearance of Jesus to a soul in misery and trouble bring gladness to the soul? Do they not all love His appearance? Do you also find the clear evidences in your life that Christ appeared unto you?

It is the Lord, the Lord Jesus Christ, Who stood on the shore of the sea and spoke to His disciples. Yes, Jesus is the Lord. He is God and man in one glorious person. He is the Son of God, co-equal God with the Father and the Holy Ghost. God the Father made Him a Lord and Savior, Acts 2:36. In His blessed and wonderful resurrection we have clear evidences that Jesus was the Son of God. Paul writes in Romans 1:4, “And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.”

1. It is the Lord Who binds His dear ones to God and His service. He continually loosens them in His own way and work from the world and Satan’s service, from sin and earthly things, from self-righteousness, sandy grounds, legal bondage, etc. He binds them to God’s holy will, His Word, His ways, His honor and glory. He binds them together with the bands of love. He binds them to Himself in love and unity. Consider the martyrs, how they were bound to the Lord. Let us hearken unto the words of Paul, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?”

2. It is the Lord Who remembers His dear ones. Before the world was made He has remembered them in the Council of Peace. He remembered them in great love and faithfulness when He left heaven and entered this low, sinful world in their behalf. He remembered them in love that passeth all understanding when He suffered and died for them on the cross and cried out, “It is finished!” He remembered them when He arose from the grave. See, do see how soon He finds His scattered, mourning sheep. He remembers them at all times. He is the Friend that loveth at all times and never leaves nor forsakes. He remembers them in heaven by His Father and intercedes for them. He prepares a place for them. He remembers them upon their deathbed and shall send His angels to convey the ransomed soul into everlasting glory.

3. It is the Lord Who refreshes His dear ones as they travel forth under His leadership through this howling wilderness of this world. Do His disciples not experience this wonderfully? He refreshes their bodies and their souls. After His death, burial, and crucifixion, how wonderfully He revived and refreshed the souls of the disciples when He appeared unto them at precisely the right time. Consider the men of Emmaus and hearken to their happy words, “Did not our heart burn within us, while He talked with us by the way, and while He opened to us the Scriptures?” David says in Psalm 23, “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul.” He gives wonderful refreshment to His hungry and thirsty people. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst, for they shall be filled. On their deathbed He shall refresh them and give them dying grace. And after this life He shall lead them unto living waters, and He shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

4. It is the Lord Who will also lead His dear ones. He is not only their Teacher, but also their Leader. This is so necessary. They have all gone astray in paradise and are as wandering sheep. Yes, they need a mighty leader, and Christ Jesus is their Leader. The more they learn to know their blindness and ignorance, the more they will need Him. Hearken to David pray at His merciful feet, “Show me Thy ways, O Lord; teach me Thy paths. Lead me in Thy truth, and teach me.” The faithful Lord shall fulfill His promise, and how can they plead upon this word at times, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with Mine eye.” The Lord was the Leader of Asaph when he was going astray; He led him into the sanctuary and soon we hear the good words from his lips, “Thou shalt guide me with Thy counsel, and afterward receive me in glory.” O blessed souls, who may say as the psalmist, “For this God is our God for ever and ever; He will be our guide even unto death.”

5. It is the Lord Who will restore His people. This is what they all need. What separation through sin! How guilty are they, and how have they kindled God’s anger. They find that they cannot restore themselves in God, His favor and communion. No, not with all their efforts, pleadings, tears and works. It is the Lord Jesus Who enrobes them with the robe of His righteousness, pleads their case as their Advocate in the heavenly court, and restores them in God and His favor and communion. It is through this Lord and Mediator that they are reconciled with God, and by the Spirit of adoption and in faith they cry, Abba, Father, Rom. 8:15. It is the Lord Who will restore unto them the lost inheritance in Adam. And He will also restore their bodies when they have turned to dust in the grave and will bring them to eternal glory.

In these five points we see that the Lord is risen indeed. He is the Lord of heaven and earth, Who has all power in heaven and in earth. He alone is the hope and expectation of all His people.

It is the Lord Who has power to condemn and cast impenitent sinners into everlasting woe; but it is the Lord Who also has power to save sinners in His own way and work. Oh, that He would become Lord of lords and King of kings in many hearts — in the hearts of us and our children! The Lord is so mighty to deliver us out of the horrible pit of miry clay and set our feet upon the Rock and put a new song in our mouth. He can put glory again upon His Zion and heal her breaches.

“The Lord will give strength unto His people; the Lord wil bless His people with peace.” Ps. 29:11.

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