Raise It Up

Raise it Up (by David Peterson at The Rock Of Jesus Church)

Immediately after cleansing the temple in Jerusalem, Jesus is confronted by the temple authorities who asked about His authority to do so. John 2:19 says: “Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.’” By saying this Jesus is referring to His impending resurrection from the grave. It would not be until after His resurrection that His disciples would know completely what He meant. The temple was a symbol of Jesus Himself.

The great Scottish theologian, Sinclair Ferguson, once wrote; “Imagine, for a moment, the reaction of Hell to the death of Christ. Jesus was bound with the bands of death. What celebration and joy! God was defeated! Vengeance was the Devil’s. But they reckoned without the wisdom of God. For Christ could not be held down by the bands of death. In fact, through death, He was paralyzing the one who had the power of death, and He was setting His people free (Heb. 2:14-15). What seemed to be defeat was actually victory. The Resurrection morning was Hell’s gloomiest day. Satan saw the wisdom of God and tasted defeat.”

Ferguson outlines perhaps the greatest victory in all of history: Jesus defeats death and proves that He has risen above the schemes of Satan.

1874 was the year that Robert Lowry wrote the simple, yet memorable, hymn “Christ Arose”. The entire hymn is as follows;

1 Low in the grave He lay, Jesus my Savior, waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!

Refrain: Up from the grave He arose;

with a mighty triumph o'er His foes;

He arose a victor from the dark domain,

and He lives forever, with His saints to reign.

He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!

2 Vainly they watch His bed,

Jesus my Savior, vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord

[Refrain]

3 Death cannot keep its prey, Jesus my Savior; He tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord! [Refrain]

Lowry penned a remarkable song with a refrain that cannot be forgotten. Jesus arose and defeated death! Christ arose!

Let us pray: King Jesus, death could not keep you down, instead you raised up and You became our new temple. Hallelujah! Let us praise and worship you in eternity! Amen.