This is a common belief and phrase among Christians. In some sense, it is true, consider John 10:18. John 10 indicates that Jesus had the authority, but did Jesus raise himself? If you consider the God (as the Trinity) then it is true, otherwise it appears to be a myth.
Actually, every reference in the New Testament to Jesus resurrection is either neutral, or states that the Father raised him (not that Jesus raised himself). So really this means that Jesus had the power to lay down his life, but God the Father raised him.
Read these scripture verses and decide for yourself: Act 2:24, 32; Acts 3:15, 26; Acts 4:10; Acts 5:30; Acts 10:40; Acts 13:30; Romans 6:4; Romans 10:9; 1 Corinthians 6:14; 1 Corinthians 15:15; 2 Corinthians 4:14; Galatians 1:1; Ephesians 1:15-23; Colossians 2:12; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 1 Peter 1:21
This actually reinforces a better understanding of salvation and the gospel message. Let me explain: If the wages of sin are death and we’ve all sinned, we all deserve death. (that’s the bad news) The good news is that Jesus loved us and died for our sins. In order for him to die for us, he had to live a sinless life, otherwise he would also deserve death. Because he didn’t sin, he didn’t deserve death, thus it was an overt action that he lay down his life and paid for our sin. He took on a punishment that he didn’t deserve.
If he could simply take up his life again this weakens the gospel. It would be like a lizard saying go ahead cut off my tail, I can just grow another one; it’s meaningless. But if Jesus didn’t have the power to take up his life, it is a meaningful action. Why is it important that God the Father raised Jesus? When God the Father (the judge of all) raised Jesus, he showed that he accepted Jesus payment for our sins. --Romans 4:25, “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” He also "declared [Him] to be the Son of God...by the resurrection from the dead." --Romans 1:4
He accepts Jesus sacrifice and penalty, and turns over all authority as judge to him. --Ephesians 1:15-23
2 comments:
The point is not that he DID take up his life again. The point is that HE CAN. He has authority over all things. He IS God.
I agree, the point is that HE CAN. As for the first part, the point is not that he DID (agreed), but that he DIDN'T. God the Father raised God the Son. Jesus is God the Son, but he is not God the Father. That is part of the mystery of the Trinity.
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