MPGC25-WAS THE RISEN JESUS THE SAME AS THE BURIED JESUS?
Jesus had kept his word. The temple of his body had been destroyed and in three days it was rebuilt and back walking the earth. Only a few women believed it -- and John. But none of them really understood what was going on. They were "in the moment" and blinded by the event.
But we can step back and view God's word as a whole to see the truth of the resurrection. This study has great implications for our life today as we ask the question .....
Was the Risen Jesus the Same as the Buried Jesus?
TWO RACES
Day 1- In these verses in Corinthians there are four terms listed which we'll be talking about in this study --- the first man Adam, the last Adam, the first man, and the second man.
1 Corinthians 15:45, 47
Day 2- The first Adam actually failed his test of obedience and therefore God could not allow him to be the ruler of Heaven and earth. His authority on earth was taken away after he had sinned. His authority in Heaven was never given to him. The curse upon Adam's race had begun.
Genesis 3:17-19
Day 3- From the first Adam, sin and death went forth to touch every part of creation on the face of the earth. Every man became a slave to sin of some kind.
Proverbs 5:22 / John 8:34 / 2 Peter 2:19 / Romans 5:12
The world's environment, including plants and animals, was subjected to frustration and futility.
Romans 8:20
The New Living Translation of the Bible puts it well, "Against its will, everything on earth was subjected to God's curse."
Day 4- In his earthly life Jesus was living the life of what the Bible calls "the last Adam" (1 Corinthians 15:45) -- not the second Adam. The totality of the depraved sin nature of Adam's race was brought to a focus in the last Adam. What did God allow His Son to become so that we could become righteous (or in right standing) with God?
2 Corinthians 5:21
Our nature of sin became part of Jesus Christ. His sinless humanity was made foul and utterly filthy with all the sins of Adam's race. Picture anything wicked, violent, brutal, abusive, perverted, cruel and greedy and you get the picture of the vile cup that Jesus drank on the cross.
Day 5- Jesus shuttered to take this onto himself but he did not shrink back from it.
Matthew 26:39,42
Before He went to the cross He had already obtained His resurrection by faith in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Hebrews 5:7-9
Day 6- As the last Adam Jesus came to reestablish man as rightful ruler of God's kingdom on earth, but He came into immediate conflict with Satan's kingdom which was already established.
Luke 4:5-7
Day 7- When Jesus was baptized and anointed for ministry He had power to forgive sins and to exercise authority over all the power of the enemy (Satan) on earth. What does Jesus say about the enemy in this verse?
John 14:30
Because this was true, what would Jesus be able to do? List them out from these verses.
John 12:31 / Hebrews 2:14 / 1 John 3:8
Day 8- Therefore, on the cross (from what we read in scripture) Jesus (as the last Adam) was doing several things in faith.
A- He was fighting for the nations and according to the promise of God what was He asking for?
Psalm 2:8
B- He was visualizing the church with multitudes of believers liberated.
John 8:32 / Romans 8:2 / Hebrews 2:15
C- He was seeing the total destruction of the power of Satan.
Colossians 2:15
Day 9- What is the result of His faith?
Psalm 22: 27-31
Day 10- On the cross Jesus (the last Adam) completed all that was necessary to pay the debt of Adam's race. Every sin had to be paid for.
Ephesians 2:16 / Hebrews 2:17 / Hebrews 7:24-27
He also redeemed all of the physical creation back from Satan. Satan has no legal claim over this earth and its inhabitants any longer.
1 John 3:8b
(Even so, until his final destruction, he (Satan) goes through out the earth deceiving men so that we are blind to the truth.
2 Corinthians 4:4
AFTER DEATH - IN THE TOMB
Day 11- After his death (according to the Bible) the soul of the last Adam (Jesus) went down to the depths of the grave or Sheol.
Psalm 16:10 / Acts 2:27, 31
The King James version of Psalm 16:10 is, "For thou will not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption."
Does this mean that Jesus actually went to Hell?
Let's pause a moment to look at the Hebrew word used in Psalm 16:10 and the Greek word used in Acts 2:27. There are three words translated as hell in English. The Hebrew word used here is Sheol. It is used 65 times in the Old Testament and is translated "hell" 31 times, "grave" 31 times and "pit" 3 times. To the writers of the Old Testament the word Sheol doesn't just mean a physical grave. It meant a place that was "down under". It was where bodies rest and spirits gather. It was not an impersonal place but one of great activity. It was the realm of departed spirits and the Bible makes it clear that those who enter this region don't have the same experience. For some it was a region of gloom. For others it was a place they could dwell with God. Therefore both the wicked and the righteous go to Sheol. It is a general term for the nether world -- a region of departed spirits.
In the New Testament the word Sheol is translated by the Greek word "Hades". Sheol and Hades are one and the same. It refers to the world of departed spirits and not just the grave. Jesus accepted the Rabbis' understanding that Hades had two compartments. In Luke 16, Christ tells us about two real people: a begger named Lazarus and a rich man. He tells us that after these men died they both went to Hades. If you read Luke 16 you'll see that Hades is a fully conscious place after their death. Memory, speaking, pain and bliss were all part of the experience.
The rich man experienced excruciating thirst and begged that God (or Father Abraham) would enable Lazarus to come to him with even a little water on his finger to cool his tongue. But he was told, "Between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us." (Luke 16:26)
It's important to see that the rich man was in Hades, NOT Hell. According to the Bible no one is in hell today. Someday Hades will be thrown into hell (the lake of fire) but that hasn't happened yet. (Revelation 20:13-14)
The believer Lazarus was in that region of Hades referred to here as "Abraham's bosom". After the Ascension of Christ believers are said to go directly to Heaven and therefore the two regions of Hades no longer exist side by side. We have good reason to believe that Abraham's bosom is Heaven today. Hades today as far as we know from scripture is where unbelievers enter as a temporary state until it's time for God's judgment.
All this to say that after death, Jesus "descended into Hades" to that area where other believers before him had gone. He was not in a place of eternal punishment but in a place with other believers who had died.
If Christ's soul went to Hades, where did Christ's spirit go?
John 16:10 / John 20:17 / Hebrews 10:12 / 1 Peter 3:22
At some point Christ's physical body just disappeared.
Day 12- In the tomb something powerful was happening. What did Jesus liken these three days in the tomb to?
John 16: 20-22
Jesus was giving birth to a new "second man". It was to be a whole new creation of man that never was and never will be part of Adam's race. "The last Adam" would never rise again!
AFTER THREE DAYS IN THE TOMB
This new "second man" that walked out of the tomb triumphantly was not like the "first Adam" who had been made from the dust of the earth and had the breath of life put into Him.
This new "second man" was not like the "last Adam" (Jesus Christ) who was supernaturally born of a virgin.
This new "second man", after three days of mysterious and creative travail, walked out of the tomb a full grown man in a glorious new resurrection body.
This new "second man" was the beginning of a totally new creation. It was a new genealogy of men who were never part of Adam's race.
Day 13- Jesus became the first born of a new genealogy of men and women from Heaven. He was the first to be born again as a glorious new man.
Romans 8:29 / Colossians 1:15, 18
Just as death came on the human race through one man, so also life was now made possible through one man.
1 Corinthians 15: 21-22
Day 14- Jesus is called the "second man" only after the resurrection. This "second man" is the Lord from Heaven and not of the earth at all. He has no genealogy. He is the "heavenly man".
1 Corinthians 15:47 / Hebrews 7:3,16,24-25
Day 15- The risen Lord that began a new genealogy of man (who have never sinned or had any part with satan) has made a way for us to be part of it by the grace of God.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Day 16- Once the condition is fulfilled it becomes a present reality. But it remains in the future until the condition is fulfilled. What is this condition?
Romans 6:5 / 2 Corinthians 5:17a
A DECISION TO CHANGE CITIZENSHIP
In the United States there is a whole process in place for a foreigner to become an American citizen. Nothing happens until a person decides to take the steps to make this happen.
When they fulfill the conditions then they change citizenship. There was a time in our history when you could not have dual citizenship. At the naturalization ceremony you had to formally renounce your original citizenship. You had to be ready to take up arms and fight against any enemy that came against the United States. This included your former nation. No pacifism was allowed.
This is a good analogy of what happens in a spiritual sense.
Day 17- By natural birth we're born citizens of the "kingdom of darkness" through our ancestor Adam. Satan is the ruler of this kingdom and therefore we are under his power. As you read these three verses list out the condition of every man and woman.
Ephesians 2:1-3
In this kingdom under Satan's rule, we are held captive to sin and are slaves to it.
Romans 6:6 / Romans 7:18
Day 18- When we want to change our citizenship from the "kingdom of darkness" to the "kingdom of light" we must renounce our original citizenship and all the things we used to do as citizens of that kingdom. From these verses what do we learn about citizens of both kingdoms?
John 3: 19-21
When we love the light that God gives through His word and the Holy Spirit, we start seeing the truth and wanting to walk in it. Gradually what will happen?
John 8: 32, 34, 36
Day 19- If we want to change our spiritual citizenship we must fulfill the conditions. What are those conditions? The Apostle Paul states the first condition clearly in the first six words of this verse.
Galatians 2:20a
Our old nature that was part of Adam's race, in the kingdom of darkness, had to be put to death so that we could be part of the new genealogy of man starting with Jesus as the first born. We may not understand all the "hows" and "whys" but we can accept the fact that God in a cosmic miracle put us into His Son on the cross and when He (the last Adam) died so did our nature from Adam. Therefore the first condition we fulfill is an acknowledgment that we have been crucified with Christ.
Romans 6:6
Day 20- What is the second condition of our change in citizenship?
Romans 6:4a
The Lord's burial was the last connection with the whole sinful condition and life which Jesus brought to an end in His death. When we partake of the public act of baptism and are put under the water it is our proclamation that "I, (say your name) have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer I (my old nature in Adam) who live. That nature is now dead and buried.
Day 21- What is the third condition of our change in citizenship?
Romans 6:5 (especially the second part of the verse) / Romans 6:8
Day 22- God has made it possible for us to have died with Christ, been buried with Him and then to rise with Him to a new life. How do we appropriate these three conditions?
Romans 6: 11-13
Note: Verses 11 & 12 tell us two definite things we must do.
1- Count yourself (reckon, consider) dead to sin but alive to God. We accept the facts of our death, burial and resurrection with Christ by faith. Accepting these facts and declaring them will be needed before we come to any understanding of what it all means for us.
2- Do not let sin reign in your mortal body
Day 23- Verse 13 of Romans 6 tells us what to do to keep sin from reigning in our life. Reread:
Romans 6:13
What do we stop doing?
What do we start doing?
For example: Let's say the sin that controls you is overeating. You have gotten fatter and fatter and can't seem to reverse the trend. Romans 6:13 tells you where to start on a practical level. Instead of putting your mind and hands to work in the kitchen baking cookies where you know you'll be tempted to eat too many, you offer your mind and hands instead to work in your garden making it beautiful for God. Or you set your mind and hands to work at learning a new hobby that you can enjoy and is pleasing to God.
Day 24- The bottom line in our change of citizenship is that we are no longer practicing sinners.
Romans 6: 1-2 / Romans 6: 6b-7 / Romans 6:18
Day 25- This doesn't mean that we never sin but it does mean that we are not willfully planning to sin. We may still do things unintentionally but as soon as the Holy Spirit convicts us we recognize what we have done and repent (to turn from our sin and get right with God). In our new citizenship -- part of the second man -- we are free from having to commit sin. What benefits result from this?
Romans 6:22
Day 26- What does the Bible call the "naturalization process" by which we change our citizenship?
John 3: 3, 7
Day 27- Once we have renounced our original citizenship and received our new citizenship in the Kingdom of God then our loyalty is now totally to the Lord Jesus.
Proverbs 23:26 / Philippians 3:7-8
Day 28- We must now stand ready to fight any enemy that comes against God's kingdom.
Ephesians 6: 11-18
Satan hates losing any member of his kingdom (i.e. practicing sinners). He will fight to get you back through deception that actually seems like the truth. He'll say to us, "You're still mine. Look at all the sinful things you did and still do!"
And what should be our response? "That's not me. That person is dead! My old nature from Adam has been crucified with Christ, buried with Him and will never rise again. I am a new creation, risen with Jesus Christ with all the power and authority that He has on earth and heaven. I am a citizen of the Kingdom of God. I am His authorized delegate. My life is now submitted to God. Satan you have no control over me!"
CONCLUSION
Day 29- The risen Lord is different from the Jesus that moved on earth before his death and resurrection. From these verses make a list of how Christ differs.
Colossians 1:15-20
Where does Jesus reside today?
Ephesians 1:20-21
Here is a comparison chart:
|
JESUS CHRIST ON EARTH
|
THE RISEN LORD
|
| 1. He was the "last Adam" | 1. He is the "Lord from Heaven" |
| 2. He recovered all the power lost by Adam, but his authority was confined to earth. | 2. He has all the power and authority in Heaven and earth. |
| 3. He was born of a woman, under the law (Galatians 4:4) with the purpose to "redeem those under the law" that we might receive adoptions as sons. (Galatians 4:5) | 3. He was born without genealogy--without father or mother, without beginning or end -- just like the High Priest Melchizedek. (Hebrews 7:3) |
| 4. He was a Jew (Romans 9:5) with the result that salvation is from the Jews (John 4:22) - the whole world could now be saved through a Jew. | 4. He is not a Jew. He is the Lord from Heaven. 1 Corinthians 15:47 |
| 5. We regarded Him from an earthly point of view (born, lived, died) | 5. What walked out of the tomb was NOT the raised body of the man that was crucified. It was an entirely NEW MAN with a different genealogy. It was not part of Adam's race and was never contaminated with sin. Adam's race was finished with the death and burial of Jesus Christ. The last Adam never rose from the dead. Rather, he and all his kin were terminated eternally. Therefore we no longer regard Him from an earthly point of view. He is the Lord from Heaven, alive and seated with God in the Heavenly places. |
THE RESULTS FOR US
On the cross Jesus was "the last Adam". He was the last in the sense that the evil inheritance of the whole race of Adam came on Him in its entirety as he hung on the cross. When he was buried the whole race of Adam was buried with Him. For you and I it means that our evil nature inherited from Adam is finished and done with!
When Jesus rose from the dead, he rose as "the second man". This was the beginning of a new kind of man -- a "God-man race". Everyone who is born again becomes part of this new "Emmanuel race". (Emmanuel means God with us) God and man are now mysteriously combined in one new creation. Those of us who are born again, are to bear the image of the man from Heaven here on earth.
"And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from Heaven".
1 Corinthians 15:49 NIV
The literal translation of this verse would read:
"As we have borne the image of the man of dust, let us also (right now) bear the image of the man from heaven."
This means we do it now! It is not something we do somewhere in the future! It means NOW! You and I filled with Christ's Spirit walk this earth, continuing the life of Jesus. As the Apostle John wrote, "....we live like Jesus here in this world." (1 John 4:17b)
Next Study: MPGC#26