A Deeper Look at Jesus Suffering, Death and Resurrection

Reflecting on the death and resurrection of Jesus, has caused me to look further at the work of the cross. What happened there? And how does this impact my life?

Colossians 2:15 says that by the work of the cross Jesus “disarmed principalities and powers that raged against us; He made a bold display and public example of them; He triumphed over them!” Philippians 2 confirms that God highly exalted Jesus because He humbled Himself, and was obedient to death on the cross. Now, at the name of Jesus, every knee must bow! Hebrews 2:14 says that because Jesus went through death on the cross that He brought the devil to nought and made him of no effect. Ephesians 1:19-21 (Amplified) confirms that by the immeasurable and unlimited power of the Father, by which He demonstrated His mighty strength, He raised Jesus from the dead and seated Him at His right hand, above all authority, power and dominion, and every name that is named.

When Jesus went through this death and resurrection, so did we. “For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). “For if we became one with Him by sharing a death like His, we shall also be one with Him in sharing His resurrection (by a new life lived for God)” (Romans 6:5). Our old nature, our sinful nature, was nailed to the cross with Jesus (Romans 6:6). Now, we have the very life of Christ Himself living in our spirit (Ephesians 2:5). God the Father, raised us up together with Jesus and “made us to sit down together with Him, (giving us joint seating with Him) in the heavenly sphere (by virtue of our being in Christ Jesus, the Messiah, the Anointed One” (Ephesians 2:6; Amplified). Everything that Jesus went through, we went through. All that He accomplished; we are able to share in that accomplishment. All the benefits that Jesus obtained, are now our benefits.

Our position in Christ as born-again believers, has allowed us to be blessed with His favor and all spiritual blessing (1 Corinthians 1:4: Ephesians 1:3). Everything we need for life and godliness has been given to us (1 Peter 1:3). That same resurrection power, exerted upon Jesus, is actually in us and for us, if we believe (Ephesians 1:19). In Jesus, in every respect, we have been enriched with full power and readiness of speech, that is to speak of our faith, and complete knowledge and illumination (Amplified: 1 Corinthians 1:5). Because of Jesus death, the Holy Spirit has come (John 14: 16,17). Acts 1:8 (Amplified) states we receive power, (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon us, and we shall be witnesses… to the ends of the earth. The manifestation of the Spirit is given to us for the profit of all (1 Corinthians 12:7). Jesus also says, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also, because I go to my Father” (John 14:12). What works are we able to do; what did Jesus do? He healed the sick, raised the dead, cast out demons, multiplied bread and fish, spoke with authority, allowed the Father to work through Him, was a humble servant, loved the unlovely, forgave, was compassionate, knew things that only His Father knew. The fact is, what Jesus did empowered us!

And what about the disarming of the enemy, triumphing over him by the cross? John 10:10 (Amplified) says that “the thief (the devil) came in order to steal and kill and destroy”. But Jesus came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). We have Jesus’ name, a name that is above every name (above cancer, above all sickness and disease, above lack, above anything that comes to steal, kill and destroy in our lives); we have Jesus’ ability because we have His Holy Spirit (Galatians 4:6). Jesus said, “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. Ask anything in My name, I will do it” (John 14:13,14). The Father is glorified when we live out our lives in the fullness of His Son, benefitting from all that He died to give us! The Father wants to be glorified through our lives!

We should not resurrect what Jesus has destroyed. Instead, we should enforce the victory that Jesus provided to us by His suffering, death and resurrection. The enemy has no more power over us because of what Jesus has done! He has no more power to steal, kill and destroy! Jesus put an end to that! Each of us, as born-again believers, should be living in the freedom of love; love brought us grace, the favor and ability from the Father, to live extraordinary lives! We should be partnering with Jesus, to live out our extraordinary life!