Raised Why?

Psalm 118:1-2 / Romans 4:23-25

From Wednesday:

How can the Son of God be dead?

How can it be that the man in whom all our hopes were bound is no longer with us?

How can it be that the singular light from which all other light in the wide universe finds its source has just gone out?

And, why would God not only allow, but demand this?

Born Why?

Jesus was not born to the virgin Mary to give us Santa Claus, just as Christ was not raised from the dead to give us egg hunts.

John 18:33–38 “So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” 35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” 37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him.”

That the God who revealed Himself in our Old Testament is the One, True and Living God.

That, being a description and expression of His being, the standards of righteousness (and thus sinfulness) are universally and eternally defining and binding

That the only path to true love, peace with, and right standing with God are through Jesus.

Died Why?

Psalm 49:7–9 “Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, 8 for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice, 9 that he should live on forever and never see the pit.”

1 Timothy 2:5–6 “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.”

Because Satan has a claim on everyone born in sin, and is an enemy of God

John 3:36 “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”

Raised Why?

Romans 4:23–25 “But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for [Abraham’s] sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.”

V. Of Justification

We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in him is justification; that justification includes the pardon of sin, and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer's blood; by virtue of which faith his perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God; that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity.

As a witness to truth

As confirmation the atonement was complete (Paid in Full)

As a gifting and confirmation of Eternal Life for all who are in Christ