Christ’s Resurrection: A Miracle of Divine Power

In our previous reflection on Westminster Larger Catechism Question 51, we explored the glorious truth of Christ’s exaltation, beginning with His triumphant victory over sin, death, and Satan (Read Here). Today, we dig a little deeper into question 52, which asks, “How was Christ exalted in his resurrection?” The answer unfolds a breathtaking panorama of divine power and redemptive glory:

“Christ was exalted in his resurrection, in that, not having seen corruption in death (of which it was not possible for him to be held) and having the very same body in which he suffered, with the essential properties thereof (but without mortality and other common infirmities belonging to this life) really united to his soul, he rose again from the dead the third day by his own power; whereby he declared himself to be the Son of God, to have satisfied divine justice, to have vanquished death, and him that had the power of it, and to be Lord of quick and dead: all which he did as a public person, the head of his church, for their justification, quickening in grace, support against enemies, and to assure them of their resurrection from the dead at the last day.”

This rich confession invites us to marvel at the resurrection of our Savior, the cornerstone of our faith, and to consider its profound implications for us as His redeemed people.

Christ’s Resurrection: A Miracle of Divine Power

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is no mere historical event; it is the supreme demonstration of God’s power over death and the vindication of His Son. The catechism declares that Christ “rose again from the dead the third day by his own power.” In John 10:18, Jesus Himself affirms, “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again.” This authority reveals His divine nature, for only God has power over life and death.

Moreover, Christ’s body did not see corruption in death. As Peter proclaims in Acts 2:24, 27, “God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it… For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption.” Death could not hold the sinless Son of God, for He was untouched by the decay that sin brings. His resurrection was not a spiritual metaphor but a physical reality. As He said to His disciples in Luke 24:39, “See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” The same body that bore our sins on the cross was raised, glorified, and freed from mortality and human frailty (Rom. 6:9).

This miracle of resurrection exalts Christ as the conqueror of death. In Revelation 1:18, He declares, “I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.” By His own power, He shattered the chains of the grave, proving that death has no claim over Him. This victory is the foundation of our hope, for as Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:20, “Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”

Christ’s Resurrection: A Declaration of His Identity and Work

The resurrection is not only a display of power but a divine proclamation of who Christ is and what He has accomplished. The catechism highlights four truths declared by His rising from the dead: Christ is the Son of God, He satisfied divine justice, He vanquished death and Satan, and He is Lord of the living and the dead.

First, the resurrection declares Christ to be the Son of God. Romans 1:4 states that He “was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead.” The empty tomb is God’s resounding affirmation that Jesus is His eternal Son, fully divine and worthy of worship.

Second, Christ’s resurrection proves that He satisfied divine justice. On the cross, Jesus bore the full weight of God’s wrath against our sin, and His resurrection is the receipt of payment accepted. As Romans 4:25 testifies, He “was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.” The Father’s raising of the Son declares that the debt of sin is paid in full, and we stand justified before God through faith in Christ.

Third, the resurrection is Christ’s triumph over death and Satan, “him that had the power of it.” Hebrews 2:14 explains that through His death, Jesus destroyed “the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil.” Satan’s grip on humanity through the fear of death is broken, for Christ has conquered the grave. As Paul exults in 1 Corinthians 15:25-27, Christ reigns until all His enemies, including death itself, are put under His feet.

Finally, Christ is exalted as “Lord of quick and dead” (Rom. 14:9). His resurrection establishes His universal lordship over all creation, both the living and the dead. As Ephesians 1:20, 22-23 proclaims, God “raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places… and he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church.” Christ’s authority is absolute, and His reign is eternal.

Christ’s Resurrection: For His Church

The catechism emphasizes that Christ was raised “as a public person, the head of his church.” His resurrection was not merely for Himself but for His people, whom He represents as their covenant head. As Colossians 1:18 declares, He is “the head of the body, the church… the firstborn from the dead.” Every blessing of His resurrection flows to us, His redeemed, through our union with Him.

First, Christ’s resurrection secures our justification. Romans 4:25 assures us that His rising from the dead confirms our right standing before God. Because He lives, we are declared righteous through faith in Him.

Second, His resurrection quickens us in grace. Ephesians 2:1, 5-6 reveals that we, who were dead in sin, have been “made alive together with Christ” and “raised up with him.” Just as Christ was raised to new life, we are spiritually resurrected, born again to walk in holiness and communion with God (Col. 2:12).

Third, Christ’s resurrection provides support against our enemies. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead strengthens us against sin, Satan, and the world. As 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 declares, “For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.” In Christ, we are more than conquerors, for He has already won the victory.

Finally, Christ’s resurrection assures us of our resurrection at the last day. As the “firstfruits” (1 Cor. 15:20), Christ’s rising guarantees that those united to Him will also rise. Our bodies, sown in weakness, will be raised in glory, free from sin and death, to dwell with Him forever.

Living in Light of the Resurrection

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not a doctrine to be merely understood but a reality to be lived. Because He lives, we have hope in this life and the life to come. Let us, then, walk in the power of His resurrection. Let us trust in His finished work for our justification, knowing that our sins are forgiven. Let us draw near to Him for strength against temptation, confident that He has defeated our enemies. And let us set our hearts on the promise of our future resurrection, when we shall see Him face to face.

As we reflect on Christ’s exaltation in His resurrection, may our hearts echo the words of Romans 8:34: “Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.” Our Savior lives, exalted above all, and He is ours forever. Let us worship Him, proclaim Him, and live for His glory, until the day when we rise to reign with Him in eternity.

May the truth of Christ’s resurrection fill you with joy and courage today. Amen.

Soli Deo Gloria