Christ Intercedes For Us

IV. The Resurrection of Christ

Christ did truly rise again from death, and took again his body, with flesh, bones and all things appertaining to the perfection of man’s nature, wherewith he ascended into heaven, and there sitteth, until he return to judge all men at the last day.  

Christ did truly rise again from death, and took again his body, with flesh, bones and all things appertaining to the perfection of man’s nature, 

The Apostle’s Creed states, 

“…On the third day he rose again.
He ascended to heaven,
And is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.”

The Nicene Creed also reads

“On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures;
He ascended into heaven
And is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
And his kingdom will have no end.”

Cranmer’s words are very similar.  Christ rose from the dead, in bodily form.  This was written in the ancient creeds to counter those who believed and still believe that Christ only rose in spiritual form only, not bodily form.  But those thoughts are not Biblical.  We know Christ rose in bodily form for he asked Thomas to touch him.  (John 20:24-28). 

Wherewith he ascended into heaven – This event from Acts 1:6-11 links the earthly ministry of Jesus to his heavenly ministry.  Although it seemed as though Christ’s work was finished to the apostles, in reality, it was just beginning. Christ continues to work in heaven, not on earth. Gerald Bray states that Christ’s words ‘’It is finished.” are misinterpreted to be the finishing of Christ’s ministry on earth, but in reality it is continued in another form (Bray, Confess, 33-34). 

And there sitteth, until he return to judge all men at the last day – Christ is sitting with God the Father where his work continues on our behalf.  We are hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3).  Christ’s work continues as he pleads for us (Romans 8:34).  It is his pleading that allows us to gain entrance to the “throne room.” (Bray, Confess, 34). 

“Because Jesus intercedes for us as our great high priest, I may now boldly approach the Father and offer my confessions, praises, thanksgivings, and requests to him”

Christian, 44

Christ WILL return one day to judge the living and the dead, those who are in Christ and those who are not.  We will be judged according to our works.  Our works though they do not save us, will be judged as well.  Those works which honor God, God will honor.  Those that do not honor God or are done with less than honoring attitudes, Christ’s blood will cover.  Our unusable works will be destroyed.  Matthew 25:29-30, the parable of the talents reads, 

26 But his master answered him, 'You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed?
27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest.
28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents
29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

If we have done something valuable as Christians we can be sure that God will honour it, but we can also know that we shall not be burdened with our failures—they will be destroyed in the judgement and we shall be given a fresh start in heaven.

(Bray, Confess, 35)

Christ died for us, rose for us, and lives for us.  Yes, there will be judgement and the end of days.  We know this.  But, we have been given so much in Christ.  He intercedes for us at the Throne. Thanks be to God!!!  

May we rest in this today.