One of my favorite hymns is “He Arose” by Daniel Thornton.
Low in the grave He lay
Jesus my Savior!
Waiting the coming day
Jesus my Lord!
Up from the grave He arose
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes
He arose a Victor from the dark domain
And He lives forever with His saints to reign
He arose! (He arose)
He arose! (He arose)
Hallelujah! Christ arose!
Today, we consider the theological implications of the crucifixion, as we are “waiting for the coming” resurrection on Resurrection Sunday.
Theological Implications of the Crucifixion”
My philosophy of religion professor in seminary defined theology as “thinking about God.” Paul was thinking about God’s activity through Jesus Christ when he wrote this about Jesus’s crucifixion and resurrection.
Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God (Romans 5:1-3).
Justification by faith is one of Paul’s major messages. Justification pictures a courtroom setting where a person is guilty. The judge, being a just judge, passes a sentence upon that person.
But being a gracious judge, he takes off his robe, comes out from behind the bench, and says, “You are guilty and you must be punished, but I will take your place.”
The best definition of grace is to look to the cross where Jesus took our place in judgment.
For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich (2 Corinthians 8:9).
All we have to do to have peace with God and receive God’s riches in our lives is to trust what Jesus has done and begin living a new life as one of His followers.
The Grace of Reconciliation
As Paul continues to think about God, he beautifully describes God’s act of grace.
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die.
But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5:6-8).
Jürgen Moltmann’s book, The Crucified God, has a title that is worth the cost of the book. Although I read it some years ago and my memory of the details has faded, the title powerfully encapsulates two key ideas.
First, it speaks to the profound and gracious love of God.
Second, it highlights the depths of humanity’s moral failings, revealing a desire for freedom from God’s authority so intense that it led people to crucify His own Son.
What does God’s grace accomplish? Paul writes:
Much more surely, therefore, since we have now been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath of God.
For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life.
But more than that, we even boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation (Romans 5:9-11).
Justification leads to reconciliation – peace with God.
Question: How does God defeat His enemies?
Answer: By making them His friends.
I often remind myself that there is no rule book for God; God is the standard of law himself. In his interaction with humanity, God chose to sacrifice himself through his Son, Jesus Christ, to tear down the barriers erected by our ungrateful and sinful nature.
When we recognize this act and accept it in faith, we become his friends.
This friendship isn’t merely a ticket to heaven, allowing us to live however we please in the meantime. Rather, it offers the profound joy of being God’s friend, both in this life and for eternity.
Please join me today in giving praise to our gracious Lord and Savior.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today.
Real Voices 