Christ’s Necessary Glory (Romans 4:23-25; LD 17)
Introduction
The Heidelberg Catechism spends some time reminding us that Christ really did suffer. His suffering is not some sort of unnecessary drama. It testifies to our sin, and it atones for our sin. His suffering makes satisfaction for our sin. But suffering and death alone aren't the whole story. If Christ were merely dead and "bounced back" the way a sacrificial animal might return to the herd, the sacrifice would prove insufficient.
On the other side of this discussion is that Christ cannot remain in the grave. If Christ is dead, then we might as well go home and conclude life is absurd. Romans 4:25 reminds us that Christ “… was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. So the question presses in: why must Christ be raised from the dead?
Christ Was Delivered for Our Sins
We have to understand the deeper meaning of death. Death is not merely the cessation of breath or heartbeat. Death is separation from communion and fellowship with God. A person can be fully alive by every biological measure and still be dead in a very real way. So when Christ is "delivered up for our sins" and overcomes death, he is overcoming that broken fellowship that was lost in the fall. His resurrection guarantees that our union with him by the Spirit and faith establishes us in communion with our Lord.
Christ's Resurrection Vindicates Him
Romans 4 gives us rich assurance of our standing before God and Christ’s resurrection. Paul builds his argument on Abraham: justified by faith apart from works (vv. 1–8), a promise extending to Jew and Gentile alike (vv. 9–17), and the "absurdity" of Abraham's faith. Abraham is trusting God to bring life out of two bodies as good as dead (vv. 18–22). Then Paul pulls the camera back: this was written not for Abraham's sake alone, but for ours (vv. 23–25). Christ's resurrection is heaven's declaration that his work is complete. Abraham cannot add anything; Isaac, child of the promise, cannot add anything, and we cannot add anything to Christ’s work. It's the fulfillment of the same pattern of "life from death" that Abraham himself experienced in type.
Paul says this in other places. 1 Corinthians 15 insists that if Christ is not raised from the dead, then we are still in our sins and ought to be pitied. Paul says in Romans 1:3–4 that the resurrection declares him Son of God. Paul states in Romans 6:4 and 1 Timothy 3:16 that resurrection to vindication by the Spirit. Christ’s resurrection is not only the basis of us legally being restored to God, but the resurrection is also the power that conforms us to God.
The bodily, physical nature of that resurrection matters too. Christ's ascension into heaven means that glorified human flesh is there. It means that not only are we declared righteous, but we are conforming in the Spirit’s power as we walk by faith, and we will be glorified. Christ’s resurrection guarantees our glorification, and it proves it. Christ’s glorified human flesh is in heaven right now, guaranteeing our glorified flesh will be there too.
Christ's Resurrection Vindicates Us
This is the legal, courtroom weight of "raised for our justification." Justification is a one-time declaration of righteousness before the heavenly court. This is a higher court than even our Supreme Court in the USA.
This blessing is distinct from sanctification. Justification is a one-time declaration of righteousness in the heavenly courtroom, while sanctification is our progressive conforming to the Lord’s holiness.
We also say that sanctification and justification are inseparable. These blessings are both given to us by the Spirit, our union with Christ, and our consciousness of this relationship when we have faith in Christ. It is by the Spirit through Faith that we take hold of Christ and all his distinct blessings.
We are united to the risen and victorious Christ. It is because Christ was raised that our sins are objectively taken away, our standing before the Father is secure, and Christ's ongoing intercession in the heavenly temple guarantees that our relationship with our God is not impersonal. Our justification is a one-time transaction. However, as we are united to our savior, this is where we have the privilege and joy of growing in conformity to our heavenly call as we walk in the Spirit by faith out of gratitude.
Conclusion
The reality is: Christ's resurrection is true whether or not I believe it. It's not my faith, or the church's faith, that makes it so. It is not even the Apostle Paul who makes it so. Christ’s resurrection is an objective, historical event that God accomplished. I could deny it, and it would still be true. That's actually the comfort. My assurance doesn't rest on the strength or the quality of my faith. My redemption, our redemption, rests on what God has already done in raising Christ from the dead. His resurrection testifies that my sins are taken away, my standing before God is secure, and I will be raised bodily to dwell in his presence in full glory.
Let us not root our hope in ourselves. Let us hope in the God who accomplishes his promise. He does not overstate, and he does not overpromise. He fulfills His word. May we live in the certainty of Christ’s resurrection as we take hold of our redeemer by Faith. Let us be a people who walk in the Spirit, tasting the goodness of our redemption as we live as living sacrifices unto him out of gratitude.