Anchor of our Lives, The Same Jesus, Lamb of God, He Lives, Victor’s Crown

What makes you look forward to Holy Week?

12 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. 20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

One life can profoundly impact another life. This Resurrection Sunday, we will end our series by looking at JESUS and how His life choices impact all of us today.

We will look at three highlights in the life of Christ:

1) The HUMILIATION of Christ

The humiliation of Christ is about the life He chose to live and the death He chose to die. This began much earlier than Holy Week 2,000 years ago when He was betrayed, falsely tried and convicted, scourged, given a crown of thorns, etc. His humiliation started when He was conceived by the Holy Spirit in Mary’s womb, a young virgin (Isaiah 7:14). Why didn’t Jesus just supernaturally appear on earth instead of going through all this trouble being born as a human baby? He is “Immanuel” (“God with us”), and this is all part of Jesus’ story. We didn’t do anything to deserve His Presence with us, it’s all by His grace! Jesus is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe — why should He come down as a baby? That was an extreme, incalculable humiliation by itself. Jesus’ choice to obey His Father’s will to be our Savior happened way before the first Christmas—it was from eternity past (Hebrews 10:5-7, quoted from Psalm 40).

At the time of Jesus’ birth, there was a change in the taxation process, and by God’s amazing design, Joseph and Mary, who were both descendants of king David had to travel 90 miles to Bethlehem to pay taxes (Luke 2:4-5). The manger where Jesus was born was where both people and their animals would go to sleep if they don’t have a place to stay (Luke 2:6-7). No privacy, with all kinds of smell from people and animals was where Jesus was born. You and I had it better than Jesus when we were born.

Christ’s humiliation continued throughout His life growing up, He was in subjection to the authority His earthly parents — whom He created in the first place (Luke 2:51-52)! He was obedient to God, His Father, to the Law, to the government.

He did not have His own house (Luke 9:57-58). People can become homeless because of circumstances, but Jesus was homeless by choice. As ordinary and non-descript His birth was, so was His adult life (Isaiah 53:2). There was nothing about His appearance would warrant a second look from anyone. People even looked down on Him and Jesus was acquainted with grief (Isaiah 53:3). He was despised and forsaken and the worse rejection came from His hometown, including from His own family (Matthew 13:57, Mark 3:21). Why did Jesus have to go through this? One reason is so that we can come to Him in our troubles, knowing that He knows firsthand the sorrows we endure (Hebrews 12:3). Jesus also knows what it’s like to be tempted, and yet not give in to sin (Hebrews 4:15-16). We are all tempted, but we know that through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can say “no” to sin, being assured that Jesus understands how strongly we are tempted to sin. The most important reason is so that because of Jesus, we may find grace and mercy in our time of need.

The religious leaders at the time of Jesus conspired to kill Him (John 11:48-50, 53). Jesus was the victim of injustice, and it was a result of His life choice to obey the Father, for our sake. One of His own chosen disciples, Judas, betrayed Him, and His spiritual family abandoned Him, His best friend, Peter denied Him (Matthew 26:49-50, 56, 73-74). Even before the crucifixion, Jesus was so badly beaten beyond recognition (Isaiah 52:14). Then, what happened to Him at the cross was described a thousand years before, by David in a prophetic psalm (Psalm 22:1, 7-8, 16-18). Jesus obeyed His Father from eternity past, and He knew what He was getting into. In Philippians we read how Jesus emptied Himself and made Himself nothing. Because of what Jesus did, one generation shall proclaim that Jesus “has performed it”, to the next generation, until today— thousands of years later (Psalm 22:30-31)! “It is finished”, our sins have been paid in full on the cross. Our response is to humble ourselves and trust Him alone for forgiveness and salvation.

2) The EXALTATION of Christ

The exaltation of Christ is about the glory He displayed when He chose to rise from the dead (John 10:17-18). More than the miracles of Jesus, the resurrection is the single, most crucial proof that He is God (Romans 1:4). The resurrection is so important because without it, our faith, and our preaching are all a lie, we are still in our sins and will all end up in hell (1 Corinthians 15:13-20). But because Jesus is risen, among other things, we have hope both in this life and forever! Our response is to live a new life in Him and for Him (2 Corinthians 5:14-15).

3) The ANTICIPATION of Christ

The anticipation of Christ is about the future we await because Jesus is coming back! Jesus will return— count on it (Matthew 25:32, Acts 1:11). This is the “mystery” that was revealed to us by Paul (1 Corinthians 15:51-53). When that time comes, we will be given “glorified” bodies just like what Jesus had upon His resurrection! Our response is to invest our lives in what counts for eternity — the Word of God and the souls of people (1 Corinthians 15:58). Our job is to do everything we can to bring people to Jesus that they may experience an eternity with Him. Jesus came from heaven to earth as a servant, who died for our sins, and rose again. Before Jesus ascended to heaven after His resurrection, He commissioned all His followers to make disciples of all the nations. That is what we are to do, and someday we will hear God say, “well done, good and faithful servant”. Blessed Resurrection Sunday! Jesus is risen indeed!

People all around you and all over the world need Jesus to transform their lives.

Pray for those who come to mind right now! Be a servant and do everything you can to bring them to Jesus.

Share the gospel to someone this Easter Sunday.

• Worship God for who He is, what He has done, and what He will do in our lives.

• Upright and moral governance of public servants; repentance and salvation for government leaders and citizens for a Christ-centered Philippines.

• For legislators to promote and support bills and laws aligned with God’s Word.

• War in Ukraine to end, loss of lives prevented.

• For the rest of the Israeli hostages to be restored to their families safely. For Israel’s war with terrorists to end according to God’s purpose and for His glory.

• For the civil war in Syria to end peacefully, protection for Christians and other minorities; that there will be freedom from oppression for Syrians. Pray for the gospel to spread rapidly throughout the country.

• Pray for Nigeria and persecuted Christians there; earnestly seek God’s intervention to stop the bloodshed. Pray for freedom from oppression, that God’s word and His people bring them comfort and hope.

• That CCF Members would honor and love God and make disciples.

• Elders, pastors, dleaders, and families (holy, humble, harmonious, happy, heart-working).

• Ministries and churches expand worldwide.

• Worship and Training Center

• Prayer Mountain

• Deeper intimate relationship with God.

• Righteous living.

• Salvation of family and friends.

14 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; 15 and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.