Divine necessity

Saturday May 29, 2021

Divine necessity

Was it not necessary for the Messiah to suffer these things and enter into his glory ? Luke 24:26

The Lord pronounces the verse quoted at the top on the day of his resurrection. His question is for two disciples who have left Jerusalem to return to their homes in Emmaus. They are perplexed by the death of Jesus. She saddens them and disappoints their expectations. And what is said about his resurrection obviously does not convince them. Jesus knows what they need. He explains to them what the Old Testament reveals about him and his work, that is, his death and resurrection were necessary. How many Christians would have liked to be present at this interview, to be the listeners of this talk, so wonderful is the effect it had on the two disciples : Did not our hearts burn within us ? (v. 32).

This fire in the heart, this fervent love for Jesus can still be experienced today. We feel them when we discover all that the Bible reveals to us about the will of his love : to ensure the salvation of man. We understand then, by worshiping, that Christ had to suffer before entering into his glory ! His death was not the failure of his mission, but rather his accomplishment. And his resurrection is the seal of God's approval.

Arrived in Thessaloniki, the apostle Paul also bases his message, to the Jews and to the Greeks of this city, on the necessity of the death and the resurrection of Christ : It was necessary that Christ suffers and that he resurrects from among the dead (Acts 17: 3).

The Lord's death and resurrection, the sure foundations of salvation, also constitute the basis of all true Christian witness. It is in the same terms that the apostle Paul addresses King Agrippa : Thanks to the help of God, I have continued until today to bear witness before young and old alike. I am not saying anything other than what the prophets and Moses said should have happened : that the Messiah would suffer, that he would be the first to be resurrected, and that he would proclaim the light to the Jewish people and to non-Jews (Acts 26 : 22.23).

The work of Christ still responds to the need for salvation of all people, whether they are Jews or non-Jews.

Source (Pleasing the Lord)