Theology Thursday
39 He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now something greater than Jonah is here.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4
This is the last week in our Biblical Theology series where we have traced many themes as they develop across history and the Scriptures. It seems fitting that we should finish with two of the most important and central themes; secondly with the resurrection of Christ.
We saw last week that Paul passes on what he received and that is, Christ died and was raised from the dead and that these events were according to the Scriptures. And we noted that by ‘the Scriptures’, he must mean the Old Testament (see last Thursday).
So where and how do the Scriptures point to the resurrection of Jesus. Well, firstly, through promises. Most notably, Isaiah 53. But also Psalm 16, Isaiah 25 and Daniel 12:2-3.
It’s not simply the sense that the Messiah will be resurrected. But that initially, there is life after death. You get this in Job and in Genesis. Hebrews 11 tells us that Abraham was able to trust God with the sacrifice of his son Isaac because he believed God would raise him from the dead.
But of course, Isaiah 53 and Psalm 16 prophetically speaks of God’s Servant, His Messiah, the King, who will die but won’t be left for dead but instead will see the light of life.
But there are also other hints of a resurrection. Several times, God’s prophets or Kings experience something like ‘death’ only to be ‘resurrected’. Now, if you think scientifically, you won’t accept these examples. But if you think in terms of imagery and literary types - then I think it’s clear.
So examples of this are Daniel 6. Remember? The prophet Daniel is betrayed and sent to death in a Lion’s Den. He is figuratively dead. Only to ‘rise’ in the morning. Joseph too, he is twice left for death (first in the cistern and later in prison) only to rise and then rise again to the right hand of Pharaoh.
It’s Jonah of course that Jesus points to. He is sacrificed to save a bunch of sailors. He spends three days in the belly of the whale but he is raised up.
It wasn’t clear to the Jews of Jesus’ time. But now we can look back and see the echoes, the reflections, the tremors that point to the resurrection of the Messiah, God’s Son, Jesus Christ. And from Him? The resurrection of God’s people.
It’s good news.
For Today:
Pray:
Praise the Father that He has the power over life and death. Give thanks for Jesus Christ who was resurrected from the dead. Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others trust in Christ’s resurrection as your hope.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4
This is the last week in our Biblical Theology series where we have traced many themes as they develop across history and the Scriptures. It seems fitting that we should finish with two of the most important and central themes; secondly with the resurrection of Christ.
We saw last week that Paul passes on what he received and that is, Christ died and was raised from the dead and that these events were according to the Scriptures. And we noted that by ‘the Scriptures’, he must mean the Old Testament (see last Thursday).
So where and how do the Scriptures point to the resurrection of Jesus. Well, firstly, through promises. Most notably, Isaiah 53. But also Psalm 16, Isaiah 25 and Daniel 12:2-3.
It’s not simply the sense that the Messiah will be resurrected. But that initially, there is life after death. You get this in Job and in Genesis. Hebrews 11 tells us that Abraham was able to trust God with the sacrifice of his son Isaac because he believed God would raise him from the dead.
But of course, Isaiah 53 and Psalm 16 prophetically speaks of God’s Servant, His Messiah, the King, who will die but won’t be left for dead but instead will see the light of life.
But there are also other hints of a resurrection. Several times, God’s prophets or Kings experience something like ‘death’ only to be ‘resurrected’. Now, if you think scientifically, you won’t accept these examples. But if you think in terms of imagery and literary types - then I think it’s clear.
So examples of this are Daniel 6. Remember? The prophet Daniel is betrayed and sent to death in a Lion’s Den. He is figuratively dead. Only to ‘rise’ in the morning. Joseph too, he is twice left for death (first in the cistern and later in prison) only to rise and then rise again to the right hand of Pharaoh.
It’s Jonah of course that Jesus points to. He is sacrificed to save a bunch of sailors. He spends three days in the belly of the whale but he is raised up.
It wasn’t clear to the Jews of Jesus’ time. But now we can look back and see the echoes, the reflections, the tremors that point to the resurrection of the Messiah, God’s Son, Jesus Christ. And from Him? The resurrection of God’s people.
It’s good news.
For Today:
- Have you noticed the promise of resurrection in the Old Testament>
- How does this help you see the Bible as God’s Word?
- Is your hope in Jesus’ resurrection?
Pray:
Praise the Father that He has the power over life and death. Give thanks for Jesus Christ who was resurrected from the dead. Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others trust in Christ’s resurrection as your hope.
Posted in Theology Thursday
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