Lutheranism 101 - Part 24 - The Second Article III

So we have just finished talking about state of Christ's humiliation, now lets talk about the point of it. The reason that Christ humbled himself was to buy us back as his people. We were trapped in sin and death and God wanted us back. So Christ in becoming one of us took our guilt and punishment upon himself. Through his suffering, death and resurrection he beat death. Therefore we have forgiveness and eternal life through our faith in Jesus Christ as our personal Savior. He makes this forgiveness available to everyone that lives on earth. To get the benefit of it though you have to have faith in Jesus Christ.

Now lets move on to the Jesus' state of exaltation. This is where Christ now fully and always uses his Divine powers. The stages of Christ's exaltation consist of this, He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead."

Now some people are surprised to learn that Jesus' descent into hell is part of his exaltation, that is because of too many pictures and movies about how horrible Christ's time in hell was. Scripture paints an entirely different story. It tells us that Jesus went down to hell not to suffer, but to brag that he had won. Remember Jesus last words on the cross? It is finished! That meant everything was done for salvation including his suffering. So when Jesus descended into hell he was taking a victory lap running around in the flames going nah, nah, nah, nah I won, I won, you lost ha, ha, ha!

Then the Bible tells us Christ rose from the dead on the third day. Notice it doesn't say three days later. He was crucified on Friday and died so that was counted as day one, then Saturday was day two and Sunday was day three. We also know that he showed himself alive to over 515 people for over 40 days that he was walking the earth after the resurrection. The resurrection of Christ is very important for a number of reasons. First of all it proves that he really was who he said he was. It also proves that God accepted Christ's sacrifice for our sins. His resurrection is kind of like our receipt that proves the price was paid. And it also shows that all believers in Christ will also one day rise to eternal life.

After roaming the earth showing off his crucified body he then ascended into heaven where he sits at the right hand of God. That doesn't mean he is literally sitting at the right hand of God, but that he is in the power position in heaven ruling over the earth.

We also know that he is coming back some day a second time. When that will happen, that we don't know. We know it will happen without warning and that he will judge the earth. We live in great hope and anticipation of that day, because it will be our final ticket home with God.

Next time I will talk a little bit more about some proofs of the resurrection and a little about End Times theology.

Here is some Scripture for you:John 10:17-18; Hebrews 2:14-15,17; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24; 2 Corinthians 15:55-57; Isaiah 53:5; 2 Corinthians 5:15; 1 John 2:2; Philippians 2:9-11; 1 Peter 3:18-19; Colossians 2:15; Acts 10:40-41; 1 Corinthians 15:4-8; Acts 1:3; Romans 1:4; Romans 4;25; John 11:25-26; John 14:19; 1 Corinthians 15:20; Acts 1:9-11; Matthew 24:27; 2 Peter 3:10; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Mark 13:32; Luke 21:28; Titus 2:13

Pastor Fred