Romans 6:5 (A Resurrection Like His)

 

Romans 6:5

For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we will certainly also be united with Him in a resurrection like His.

Jesus died for the sins of the world, but He's not dead anymore. He is risen! He was killed by the rulers of the world, but He raised Himself to life "on the third day according to the Scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:4). His resurrection (not a resuscitation by others, but a resurrection by Himself) occurred just as the prophets foretold, (Matthew 12:40). The way Jesus lived was not incidental, but was the fulfillment of the Word of God. It is written, "The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work," (1 John 3:8), and the devil's work was to bring about death (Genesis 3:13-15).

Now, because Jesus is resurrected, He has put an end to the power of death, for "He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ," (1 Corinthians 15:56-57). This victory is revealed in God's words, "I will give Him a portion among the great, and He will divide the spoils with the strong...For He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors," (Isaiah 53:12). So, Jesus makes a way for people to join Him and He lets His followers share His wealth. Everyone who has put their faith in Christ has been "crucified with Him," and "if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we will certainly also be united with Him in a resurrection like His," (Romans 6:5-6). With this filling our hearts, let us, as believers, see the power of the resurrection that is alive in us.

Now I have resurrection power living on the inside

Jesus, You have given us freedom

I'm no longer bound by sin and darkness

Living in the light of Your goodness

You have given us freedom

I'm dressed in Your royalty

Your Holy Spirit lives in me

And I see my past has been redeemed

The new has come

- Chris Tomlin

Jesus came back to life (Mark 16:6)

On the first Easter morning Jesus walked out of His grave. It is assured that all of God's children will do the same. They will live anew in their spirit, because Jesus has "made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions," (Ephesians 2:5). Not only the children of God will live, but one day everyone who died will live again. There will come a day when "death and Hades [will] give up the dead that [are] in them," (Revelation 20:13). Jesus says that on this day "those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned," (John 5:29).

Jesus put off His old clothes (John 20:6-7)

When Jesus breathed again, He took off His wrappings and linens. He removed His burial clothes, and so will those who follow Him.  Just as someone takes off a shirt and wears another, God's children will resist their old habits of death and put on Christ's righteousness. They will "be made new in the attitude of their minds; and put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness," (Ephesians 4:23-24). God's children are also to keep their brothers and sisters from going back to their old grave clothes (Jude 1:23). Just as Jesus cast aside the things of the dead, so believers should "throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles," (Hebrews 12:1).

Jesus comforted believers (John 20:15-16)

The first people who saw Jesus's empty tomb were afraid, but after they saw Jesus their tears were replaced with joy (Matthew 28:8-9). Jesus' disciples, too, can comfort those who hurt. Their God is "the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort," (2 Corinthians 1:3) and those who believe in Him can "encourage one another and build each other up," (1 Thessalonians 5:11). Jesus's resurrection gives His children strength to "rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn," (Romans 12:15), and God will turn our "wailing into dancing," (Psalm 30:11).

"I am the Living One; I was dead,
and now look, I am alive for
ever and ever," (Revelation 1:18).

Jesus made clear the Scriptures (Luke 24:25-27)

After Jesus comforted many of His followers, He then appeared to two men who were walking to a nearby town. These men were confused about the writings of the prophets, and in their confusion they were downcast (Luke 24:17,19-21). In response Jesus "explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself," and as He explained these things their hearts were set ablaze (Luke 24:27,32). Now, Jesus' disciples on earth can explain the Scriptures and lift up the hearts of others. It is through the resurrection that the mysteries of the Bible can be "disclosed to the Lord’s people," (Colossians 1:26).

Jesus was unharmed by weapons (John 20:27)

When Jesus died He was speared right through to His lungs and heart (John 19:34), and when He lived His body still showed this mortal wound. There was a hole in Jesus' side and it had no apparent effect on Him. This will be true of all who believe, for anyone in Christ can trust that "no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD," (Isaiah 54:17). Yes, the world hates God's followers and will kill many of them (John 15:20), but "do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul," (Matthew 10:28).

Jesus restored broken relationships (John 21:15)

During Jesus' trial, His disciple, named Peter, denied and cursed Him three times (Matthew 26:69-74). Peter's sin filled him with grief (Luke 22:62), but on Easter morning Jesus commanded His angels to say, "He has risen!...tell His disciples and Peter," (Mark 16:6-7). Even though Peter sinned terribly, Jesus restored Him back to His family (John 21:17). In this same way, those in the Church who sin can be restored. It is written, "If anyone has caused grief...the punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient. Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow," (2 Corinthians 2:5-7). Thanks to the resurrection of Christ, "as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us," (Psalm 103:12).

Jesus returned to His Father (John 20:17)

On the day Jesus rose, He promised He would ascend into heaven, and forty days later He did (Acts 1:3,9). Dear brother and sister in Christ, you too shall rise to be with your Father (Luke 16:22). Jesus says, "I shall lose none of all those God has given Me, but raise them up at the last day," (John 6:39). Right now, you live as a foreigner on earth (1 Peter 2:11), but one day you will "dwell in the house of the Lord forever," (Psalm 23:6). You will see God face-to-face (Matthew 5:8), and it will be just as He says, "To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be My children," (Revelation 21:6-7).

Jesus rose again and everyone who lives in Him will
have eternal life (John 3:16) and life in abundance
(John 10:10). His life assures us that "whoever obeys
His words will never see death," (John 8:51).

Jesus rose again from the dead, and showed His power, righteousness and love. Those who see the glory of the resurrected King should do as the women did, when they "clasped His feet and worshiped Him," (Matthew 28:9). They should not be like the soldiers who took a bribe to hide the truth (Matthew 28:13-15). Instead, everyone should recognize Jesus, and call to Him. They should say, as the disciple Thomas does, "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28). Jesus is God, and the only one who can bring the dead to life.

Today, Jesus ascended into heaven and is standing at His Father's right hand (Acts 7:56), and "what does 'He ascended' mean except that He also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe," (Ephesians 4:9-10). This means that God took on flesh to live and die just like anyone else, and anyone can have communion with Him, "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are," (Hebrews 4:15). Those who believe in this are God's children (John 1:12), and "if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory," (Romans 8:17). Jesus' resurrection demonstrates the new life that all those who believe in Him will have, just as it it is written in 1 Peter chapter 1 from verses 3 to 5:

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

Sources

• The Bible (New International Version)
• Chris Tomlin: Resurrection Power
• John MacArthur: See God's Face
• John Piper: The Passion of Jesus Christ (Inspired by)