Where do we find “the exceeding greatness of his power?” In the creation
of the world? in the Seven Stars and Orion? in the strength of Behemoth
and Leviathan? No! In the deluge? in the fiery destruction of Sodom? in
the overthrow of Pharaoh and his host? in hurling Nebuchadnezzar like
Lucifer from the political firmament? No! It is the power which he
wrought in Christ. When? When he healed the sick? when he raised the
dead? when he cast out devils? when he blasted the fruitless fig-tree?
when he walked upon the waters of the Galilee? No! It was “when he
raised him from the dead.” Then the Father placed the sceptre in the
hand of the Son, “and set him above all principality, and power, and
might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this
world, but also in that which is to come; and put all things under his
feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church.”
This is the source of our spiritual life. The same power that raised the
dead body of our Lord from the grave, quickens the soul of the believer
from the death in trespasses and sins. His riven tomb is a fountain of
living waters; whereof if a man drink, he shall never die. His raised
and glorified body is the sun, whence streams eternal light upon our
spirits; the light of life, that never can be quenched.
Nor here does the influence of his resurrection end. He who raised up
Jesus from the dead shall also quicken our mortal bodies. His
resurrection is the pledge and the pattern of ours. “Because he liveth
we shall live also.” “He shall change our vile body, that it may be
fashioned like unto his glorious body.” We hear him speaking in the
prophet:—“Thy dead men shall live; together with my dead body shall they
arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in the dust; for thy dew is as the
dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out her dead.”
How divinely does the apostle speak of the resurrection-body of the
saints! “It is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption; it is
sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is
raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual
body. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal
must put on immortality. Then shall be brought to pass the saying that
is written—Death is swallowed up in victory! O death, where is thy
sting? O grave, where is thy victory? Thanks be unto God, that giveth
us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account