Concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, and was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 1:3-4 NASB).
And by common confession great is the mystery of godliness: He who was revealed in the flesh, was vindicated in the Spirit, beheld by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory (1Timothy 3:16 NASB).
Throughout His earthly ministry Jesus was often assailed by the religious leaders of His day. Filled with doubt and hatred, they demanded a sign from Him to prove Himself (Matt 16:1). Jesus told them they would receive no sign but that of the sign of Jonah (Matt 16:4).
Today there are those who do not believe as well. They may consider Jesus as a real historical figure, a good man, a teacher, but they doubt His deity. They do not believe in His power to save. Just like the Pharisees of old, there are many who reject the claims of our Lord.
However, in spite of all of this, Jesus, who was unjustly accused and turned over to the Romans to be brutally crucified, was gloriously raised from the dead, as a stunning proof to the validity of His claims! Now if He was never raised, and was still in the tomb today, our faith is worthless (1 Cor 15:14, 17). But Jesus who took on flesh (John 1:14), emptied Himself taking the form of a servant (Philippians 2:7), is risen, and now is highly exalted and worthy of honor. Every knee will bow before Him, and every tongue will confess that He is Lord (Philippians 2:9-11).
He has conquered death, so that gives us great hope and encouragement as well. Since He is risen, we too will be resurrected and stand before Him in worship (1Cor 15:20-26, 50-58).
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