Christ's Triumphal Resurrection

Peter and John at the tomb, Henry Ossawa Tanner

According to Merriam Webster, triumph is "the act or fact of being successful." It is also defined as "exultation or joy for a victory or success.” To best understand a particular triumph, there is a necessity to identify what struggle, problem, or issue which has been overcome. Paul defines the Christian gospel of salvation clearly in I Corinthians 15: 1, 3, and 4: "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; . . . For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.” This is the first triumph: Victory over death!

Since the Lord Jesus died to redeem life (John 14:6), as long as He abides in death, we abide in death and we have no life. Death is still our barrier! So, the first triumph of his resurrection was that He lives again! Imagine the overwhelming joy, first experience by Mary Magdalene when Jesus spoke her name: “Mary!” and then by his Apostles, and other close followers. They actually saw Him in his resurrected earthly body, touched him, walked and talked with Him, and ate meals with him, but we will see Him in his glorified body!

As the resurrected Jesus, the redemptive process of making us alive to the Father was possible. It was essential for his exaltation into Heaven and for the application of his blood in the Heavenly Temple. In doing this, He established the believer’s access to God. Further, his resurrection enabled Jesus to apply his sacrificial blood to God’s Judgment Seat transforming it into his Mercy Seat making peace and forgiveness from the Father infinitely accessible. He became our Great High Priest.

How unspeakable is our joy when our security is guaranteed by his continual intercession for those born again in the face of Satan’s accusations against us (Rom 8:34), even when they are true! As we pray according to God’s will, his intercession sweetens our prayers to our Heavenly Father. His triumphant resurrection brings glory to God and provides sanctifying benefit to us. His resurrection enables Him to prepare a place for us (1 John 5:13b) so that we can be with Him in the glory of Heaven and in the eternal New Jerusalem and creation! Hallelujah, what a Savior!