What does Jesus' resurrection in Luke 18:33 teach about God's power over death? Setting the Scene “ ‘They will flog Him and kill Him, and on the third day He will rise again.’ ” (Luke 18:33) • Jesus speaks these words before the Passion Week even begins. • His prediction is precise—death, but only for three days. • The statement frames the crucifixion not as tragedy but as the doorway to triumph. Death Does Not Have the Final Word • God allows Jesus to be “killed,” yet He also guarantees the outcome: resurrection. • By specifying “on the third day,” God sets an exact limit to death’s grip. • Acts 2:24 affirms, “God raised Him up, releasing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on Him.” Proof of Unmatched Power 1. Creation power repeated – The same voice that spoke worlds into existence (Genesis 1) commands an occupied tomb to empty. 2. Authority over the curse – Romans 6:9: “We know that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer has mastery over Him.” 3. Validation of every promise – Luke 24:6 reminds the women at the tomb, “He is not here; He has risen!” exactly as He said in Luke 18:33. 4. Preview of final victory – 1 Corinthians 15:54–55 declares, “Death has been swallowed up in victory… Where, O death, is your sting?” The empty tomb is the firstfruits of that ultimate conquest. Implications for Us Today • Assurance of salvation: If God can overturn death, He can keep every promise of eternal life (John 11:25–26). • Daily courage: The worst enemy—death—has been defeated, enabling fearless obedience (Hebrews 2:14–15). • Hope for resurrection bodies: “He who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us” (2 Corinthians 4:14). • Worship fueled by certainty: We adore a Savior who not only predicted His resurrection but accomplished it, proving divine omnipotence. Takeaway Luke 18:33 is more than a prediction; it is a declaration of God’s limitless power over death, fully realized three days after the cross and eternally effective for everyone who trusts in the risen Christ. |
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