The apostle Paul tells us that Jesus must be raised from the death to provide the salvation made possible by his death on the cross. He writes in Rom. 4:25 (NASB): “He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.”
He adds in 1 Cor. 15:45 (NASB): “The first MAN, Adam, BECAME A LIVING SOUL.” The last Adam [risen Christ] became a life-giving spirit.” Christ did not become this life-giving spirit until he was raised from the dead.
Not only was Jesus was raised from the dead but he was given the divine nature, life within himself, that he become a life-giver to the human family. “For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself.” (John 5:26 NASB) This capability is essential to our Lord becoming the “everlasting Father” of Isaiah 9:6-7.
Jesus said in John 17:2 that he had been given the authority by the Father to give life. “Even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life.” (NASB) He adds in John 5:21 (NASB): “For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes.”
But our Lord must become a great, spiritual, high priest after the order of Melchizedek to give life to the human family. “Son though he was, he had to prove the meaning of obedience through all that he suffered. Then, when he had been proved the perfect Son, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who should obey him, being now recognised by God himself as High Priest “after the order of Melchizedek.” (Heb. 5:8-10 Philips)
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