Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, Romans 1:1-4 (ESV)
Christ’s resurrection was the most important event in human history. He died for our sins on the cross as the sacrificial Lamb of God, but he rose from the dead in glory and power as the indisputable Lord of Lords, the promised Messianic King of Israel to whom every knee will bow and who one day will judge the entire earth.
The proper response to discovering that Jesus died as God’s Lamb is to humbly and gratefully receive the provision of God’s mercy and grace it provides.
The necessary and fitting response to hearing that Jesus is the risen Lord is to make a declaration of faith and allegiance to him, which is the central meaning of water baptism.
...if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 (ESV)
In the West we have reduced Christ’s ministry in many cases to that of the Lamb of God, instructing those who hear our message to receive him into their hearts.
The gospel of the apostles declared the lordship of the risen Christ and called hearers to acknowledge and submit to him.
The gospel is not simply a “get out of jail free” card that allows us to live free from any commitment to God. Rather it is an offer of forgiveness, justification, redemption, reconciliation, and sonship with the express purpose of making us fit subjects and obedient servants of the King.
Prayer
Jesus, I never realized my need to acknowledge you as my Lord and King. I do that now and pledge my allegiance to you. I depend on your grace and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to enable me to be faithful to you all my days. Thank you for dying for me. Help me now to live for you. Amen.
