Heaven can be spoken about by Christians in ways that can contribute to a misconception that it is a destination rather than a staging point. There’s nothing wrong with acknowledging the blessing that awaits believers after death and before the return of Jesus. But that acknowledgement should not cloud the fact that our ultimate hope …
As the people of God gather week by week, the cross is rightly central; however that centrality rightly observed brings many other truths into view and into focus. And only the cross can bring them all together, enable them all to be understood, and communicate our need of God’s grace. From Fred Sanders. The Cross …
When Jesus brings the dead back to life in the Bible the events are not resurrections. All those returned to life eventually went to a grave. But the power of life that Jesus exercised demonstrates the completeness of human need and the presence of a life in him that can meet all that need. Jesus …
The resurrection life is central to Christian experience, but the resurrection life derives its meaning in the completed work of the cross. From Fleming Rutledge: What then is the resurrection? It is the vindication of the crucified One. The resurrection doesn’t cancel out the crucifixion as if it were only a passing episode to be …
Heidelberg Catechism – Lord’s Day 22 57. Q. What comfort does “the resurrection of the body” give you? A. That after this life my soul shall be immediately taken up to Christ, its Head, and that this flesh of mine, raised by the power of Christ, shall be reunited with my soul, and be conformed …
In John 13 Jesus tells Peter “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.” Jesus is speaking of his death on the cross and the resurrection life that will be shared as a result. Peter will learn that his own suffering would consume him without resurrection life within him. …
Heidelberg Catechism – Lord’s Day 17 45. Q. What benefit do we receive from “the resurrection” of Christ? A. First, by his resurrection he has overcome death that he might make us share in the righteousness which he has obtained for us through his death. Second, we too are now raised by his power to …
