LESSON 6

GOD TELLS US ABOUT JESUS, PART 2

The last lesson dealt with what is called Jesus’ humiliation, his birth as a human baby, his life, suffering, and death for our sins. This lesson deals with Jesus’ exaltation.

What happened to Jesus after his death and burial?

God says:From this we know:
Acts 2:24 “But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.”
Jesus came to life again.

Where did Jesus go after he was made alive?

God says:From this we know:
1 Peter 3:18-19 “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison.”
Jesus visited hell.

Obviously, Jesus did not go to hell to suffer further. He declared that the penalty for our sins was paid in full when he cried, “It is finished” (John 19:30) from the cross. So why did he go?

God says:From this we know:
Colossians 2:15 “And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”
There he proclaimed his victory over sin, death, and Satan.

There is one more important thing to realize about Jesus’ visit to hell. Since Hebrews 9:27 tells us, “man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,” we know that Jesus did not go into hell to preach the gospel to those who died before he came to earth, to give them a second chance, as some teach. Believers who lived and died before Christ came to the earth trusted in the Savior who was to come, just as we look back to him (see Hebrews, Chapter 11).

Before he was crucified, Jesus had repeatedly predicted that he would be killed and then rise from the dead. We can see that this is exactly what happened.

God says:From this we know:
Acts 10:40-41 “But God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.”
Acts 1:3 “After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.”
Jesus rose from the dead and proved it by appearing to many people (see the following Bible chapters for more information: Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20-21, 1 Corinthians 15).

There are many people today who want to deny that Jesus rose from the dead with a physical body. Because of this, they say that it is not important whether or not Jesus rose from the dead. They could not be further from the truth. The Bible shows us why it is extremely important for us to know that Jesus rose physically from the dead.

God says:From this we know:
Romans 1:4 “And who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.”
It proves to us that Jesus is the Son of God.
Matthew 28:6 “He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.”
It proves to us that Jesus’ word is truth.
Romans 4:25 “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.”
1 Corinthians 15:17 “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.”
It proves that our sins have been paid for in full.
If it is not true, we have no reason to believe in Jesus or follow his teachings. We will all perish because of our sins.
John 14:19 “Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.”
John 11:25-26 “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”
It proves that we too shall physically rise from the dead.
We can see that it is very important to know that Jesus really did rise from the dead. This is not some minor point—it is essential to Christianity.

We have seen two important parts of Jesus’ exaltation—his triumph over sin, death, and Satan, and his physical resurrection. But there is still one more part to examine.

What happened 40 days after Jesus’ resurrection?

God says:From this we know:
Acts 1:9-11 “After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
Jesus physically and visibly ascended into heaven.

Why is this important to us?

God says:From this we know:
John 14:2, 3 “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”He is preparing heaven for us and will come again to take us there.
Matthew 28:18-20 “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
He left so we would get busy with the work he left us.

Where is Jesus right now?

God says:From this we know:
Ephesians 1:20-23 “…which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”He is “at the right hand of God.” This is not a physical place but a description of the honor and power Jesus has been given to rule all things for his purposes on behalf of his Church.
Ephesians 4:10 “He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.”
Matthew 28:20 “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Jesus, the God-man, is miraculously everywhere. He is not limited to being in heaven.
He is especially with believers.

In this lesson and the previous one, we have seen the many things Jesus did to save people who could do nothing to deserve his help. Why did Jesus do all this?

God says:From this we know:
Revelation 1:5-6 “To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.”
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 “You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”
2 Corinthians 5:15 “And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
Jesus lived, died and lives again for us because of his incredible love for us and so that we would give him glory by serving him according to his will.

QUIZ 6

1. Some say that Jesus did not physically rise from the dead. Does the Bible support this teaching?

Question 1 of 5

2. True or False. Since Jesus is everywhere, that means only his spirit ascended into heaven. He no longer has a physical body.

Question 2 of 5

3. Why is Jesus resurrection (rising from the dead) important?

Question 3 of 5

4. Why did Jesus visit (descend into) hell?

Question 4 of 5

5. Why did Jesus go back to (ascend into) heaven?

Question 5 of 5


 

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