Understanding the Kingdom of GodSample

Resurrected Lord of All

None of us likes being accused of something we didn’t do. Sometimes, people are sued and taken to court for a crime they didn’t commit. In such a case, it becomes very important for the judge to make the right verdict. Sending an innocent person to prison would be extremely unjust. For justice to be served, the judge must vindicate the innocent and falsely accused party. Vindication (or justification) is declaring someone to be in the right.

In the story of Jesus’ resurrection, the ultimate Judge made the ultimate verdict of vindication. The Jews believed that God would raise His people from the dead at the end of the age. Resurrection was the ultimate declaration of a person’s righteous and innocent life. In the Jewish tradition of Jesus’ day, it was the Jews who would be justified, and the Gentiles would be condemned.

The Gospel authors tell us that Jesus is the true righteous Son of God. He is the One who God declares to be in the right. Jesus lived a completely righteous life. He fully obeyed the Law of the Covenant, lived the life of a faithful Israelite, and fulfilled Israel’s vocation of perfectly reflecting God’s character to the nations. Yet, He was killed by the religious leaders. They deemed Him guilty and condemned Him to death. But He was innocent! More than that, He was the embodiment of the righteousness of God. How would God the Father respond? Would the Judge of judges act justly towards His only begotten Son? Yes, of course!

That is why God raised Jesus from the dead. The resurrection is more than just a miracle. It is an act of declaration by the Father that Jesus Christ is the righteous One. Jesus’ vindication by the Father is so great that His resurrection happens long before the end of the age. His righteousness is so great that the Father even seated Him at His right hand in the highest of heavenly realms and gave Him the authority to judge all things. Jesus rules supremely over all of Creation. His Name is above every other name! All authority in heaven and earth belongs to Him (Matthew 28:18).

The resurrection of Jesus is also the “birthplace” of God’s new Creation. In John 20, Mary mistook Jesus for a gardener. He was the Gardener, fertilizing God’s new world with resurrection life. He is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25), and all who are in Him will be raised on the last day.

Spend a few minutes in prayer where you praise Jesus, the resurrected Lord of all.