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THE

RECORD

MONTHLY MAGAZINE OF THE FREE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND APRIL 2020 • £2.00

News Editor • Dayspring MacLeod dayspring.macleod@icloud.com 07974 261567

WFM Editor • Sarah Cumming 31 Doune Park, Dalgety Bay, KY11 9LX sarah.cumming@hotmail.co.uk Gaelic Editor • Janet MacPhail 24 North Bragar, Isle of Lewis, HS2 9DA 01851 710354 Seminary News • Rev. Thomas Davis St. Columba's Free Church, Johnston Terrace Edinburgh, EH1 2PW thomas@stcolumbas.freechurch.org Prayer Diary • Mairi Macdonald ian.macdonald57@btinternet.com Design & Layout • Fin Macrae @DUFI Art www.dufi-art.com The Record • ISSN 2042-2970

For Subscriptions • The annual subscription price for The Record is £33. Cheques should be made payable to: Free Church of Scotland. Please contact the offices for overseas subscription costs.

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Details of the church's activities, latest news and people to contact are all available on the church's website: www.freechurch.org For the visually impaired: Please contact Norman Kennedy on 01463 240192 for details of how to obtain The Record in an audio version. The Free Church of Scotland is a registered charity SC012925 • Women for Mission is a registered charity SC03898

THE RECORD

04 A PASTORAL LETTER Donnie G. MacDonald

unusual and uncertain circumstances.

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APRIL

Yours in Christ

LIFE TOGETHER, APART The Editor

FREE CHURCH SERVICES — ONLINE

WORLD NEWS U.K, Italy, Poland, U.S.A, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, South Korea

PRAYER DIARY

FREE CHURCH NEWS WfM Annual Meeting, Glenurquhart and Fort Augustus Induction, Govan Free Church, Autism, the Church and the Bible, Youth Camp Update

OBITUARIES: DR. IAN R. MACDONALD

JOY AND THE POWER OF THE RESURRECTION John Angus MacLeod

THE WONDER OF THE RESSURECTION AS WITNESSED BY MARY MAGDALENE Roddy Rankin

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

DON'T WASTE THE HARD Dayspring MacLeod

ETS NEWS Thomas Davis

WHY DID GOD RAISE JESUS FROM DEATH? PART 5 Iain Gill

BOOK REVIEWS

POETRY PAGE George Herbert

MISSION MATTERS David Meredith

FOSGAIL AR SÙILEAN Janet MacPhail

John

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Advertising • Anyone wishing to advertise in The Record should contact the editor.

pray that you are keeping well. we presently face

At least from our own perspective. As a result, some of this month’s Record is given over to the impact coronavirus is having on us as a church, and we include a pastoral letter on the situation from the Moderator of the General Assembly, the Rev Donnie G. MacDonald. However, the main focus of this edition is the victory won by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ over sin and death. We celebrate his resurrection, and the living hope it gives us as we look forward to the unfading, imperishable inheritance that is to come (1 Peter 1:3-4). Easter Sunday is likely to be marked in a different way this year. But we worship the one who is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Jesus told his disciples: ‘Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world’ (John 16:33). The disciples who were scattered in fear later went forth to boldly preach the good news. The Holy Spirit who strengthened them is the same Holy Spirit we rely on as we face the days ahead. Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57). •

Missions News • Sarah Johnson Free Church Offices, 15 North Bank Street, Edinburgh, EH1 2LS sarah@freechurch.org

Published • The Record is produced by The Free Church of Scotland, Free Church Offices, 15 North Bank Street, The Mound, Edinburgh, EH1 2LS 0131 226 5286 offices@freechurch.org

CONTENTS

WELCOME TO THE APRIL RECORD

Editor • John Macdonald The Editor, The Record, Beltone, Moray Street Blackford PH4 1QF editor@freechurch.org

That in all things he might have the pre-eminence Colossians 1:18 2020

40 POST TENEBRAS LUX Catriona Murray

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A PASTORAL LETTER, MARCH 17, 2020

under their care. This is also an opportunity to realise anew the beauty of family worship, holding services together at home. And if you are alone, use the phone or social media platforms to worship together with a friend, even if it is to read the Bible and pray together.

PASTORAL CARE We are also advising that pastoral visitation be suspended. This will be very difficult for ministers and elders who instinctively want to visit the elderly, the sick and the bereaved. But it is no kindness to visit someone if you are possibly carrying a virus that could seriously compromise their health. In these circumstances it is an act of love not to visit. However, remember that even if we are suspending pastoral visitation, we are not suspending pastoral care. We just have to do it in a different way. This is a time when, more than ever, we need to look out for each other and look after each other. We all have a role to play in this. Phone each other, message each other, use emails and Facetime to interact with each other. Modern technology has its downside, but in these circumstances, it can be a tool for great good as we seek to love one another as Christ commanded.

BY REV. DONNIE G. MACDONALD (MODERATOR OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY)

his is a very strange time for everyone . the spread of the coronavirus , covid - 19 , has impacted the nations of the world and increasingly is impacting our day - to - day lives

here in scotl and .

Over the past 24 hours the advice that we have been receiving from our politicians and our health authorities has changed, and we as a church have had to consider how to respond to that advice in order to be responsible, and to show Christian love and care to our congregations and our communities. The Free Church has its equivalent of a COBRA committee which has met, and will continue to meet on a regular basis, and we will seek to give you weekly updates as the situation develops. We have had to make big decisions today which will make the way we operate as a church different to what we have been used to. But we consider all the measures we have taken to be absolutely necessary, and I promise you they have been taken very carefully and prayerfully, guided not only by medical advice but also by God’s Word. We believe that the decisions we have made are in keeping with the sixth commandment as we seek to actively protect others from harm. In addition, Jesus tells us to love our neighbour as ourselves; these measures seek to do that. We are instructed to have the mind of Christ and to put others interests before our own; these measures also seek to do that. We are told to love one another; we believe that these measures express that. So, what is it that we have decided to do in response to this current situation?

PRAYER It will seem very odd not being able meet with each other for prayer. But again, I remind you that although we may be suspending midweek prayer meetings that is not the same as suspending prayer. We will pray together but in a different way. It is a lovely thing to pray with someone on the phone, or on Skype, Facetime, WhatsApp, or any of the social media apps. We also ask that you spend a time each day praying privately for the situation we are currently facing. Pray for those who have contracted the virus, pray for those who are scared of catching the virus, pray that people would take the right precautions not to spread the virus. But I would ask you also to pray for those who have to treat those who have, or are suspected of having, the virus. Pray for our doctors and nurses and all our medical services. They already have a tough job, but it is potentially going to get much tougher. A little virus has reminded us of just how weak we are, and how much we are dependent upon an Almighty God. The next few months may prove to be very difficult. We may find our activities restricted and we will largely be confined to our homes but use the time wisely and well. Often we complain about not getting time with loved ones. Use this time to enjoy their company. Think of the folk that you meant to be in contact with over the years but have always been too busy, use this time to give them a phone. But also think of all the times we have wished that we had the opportunity to read our Bibles more and to pray more. Spend the time in the company of Jesus and grow in your relationship with God. I’ll finish by reminding you of the words written to the church in Philippi during a time of uncertainty: Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7) Every blessing to you all and we will speak again soon. •

CHURCH SERVICES You will be aware that we have been advised to avoid large gatherings and to reduce social contact. This advice now includes gatherings of faith groups. We therefore have no option but to suspend all church services throughout the Free Church of Scotland, both for Sundays and mid-week meetings. This includes fellowship meetings, Bible studies, youth groups, everything that would normally be held in church halls or people’s homes. I cannot stress enough however that although we may be suspending our normal worship services, we are not suspending worship. We will have to ‘do church’ in a different way. We will miss physically gathering together, but we can still gather together in worship as we tune into services online. Many churches are able to broadcast their services and will continue to do so even in the absence of a congregation, and the Mission Board will collate details of congregations that have that facility so that you can join in worship with them each Sunday. We would also encourage local Kirk Sessions to think of ways in which technology can be used to minister the Word to the congregations

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2020

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JOY AND THE POWER OF THE RESURRECTION H

What is the greatest proof of the Christian’s longing to live a holy life, and to serve God forever? Surely, it is a longing to be perfect — in spirit, soul, mind and body — where our wretchedness will be a thing of the past. as the heavenly resurrected Christ does. Of course, Jesus always loved the law of God. While he was tempted to sin, he never sinned. Christians, like Paul, were different. They were sinners — with a long history of sinful deeds and a sinful human nature. How could people like them change? How could they possibly live out a new life of obedience to be like Jesus, and reverence their new heavenly Father? Well, that’s where the ‘power of the resurrection’ (Phil. 3:10) comes in. You see, Jesus experienced the single greatest operation of God’s power since the creation of the world. When was that? When his death was reversed. He was raised from the dead, made alive, exalted to heaven and placed as ruler of the whole universe. Nothing less than God’s divine authorisation and mighty, allsurpassing power could have made such a thing happen! This is what Paul calls ‘the power of Christ’s resurrection’, and it is what Paul wants to experience as he battles with sin and temptation, when he suffers repeated difficulties as a committed servant of God (like Jesus), and even as he faces life-anddeath situations. He needs to rely on the willingness of God to empower him with resurrection power for holy living and faithful Christian service. Strangely, he even needs the power of Christ’s resurrection to lay down his life as a Christian martyr — if that is what God requires him to do. Third, there is something even greater than that. Yes, Paul was clothed in the righteousness of the crucified, resurrected Jesus. Yes, he embraced the love of the crucified and risen Jesus for the law of God and the will of the Father. Yes, he even learned to rely on the resurrection power of God to live out his holy life and Christian calling before God. What could be greater than all of that? Well, strange though it may seem, this same Paul saw himself as the ‘chief of sinners’ (1 Timothy 1:15). He lived in a body that was shaped by sin, and longed to experience one further, climactic stage of Christ’s historical life: he wanted to be raised from dead with a body that will be transformed into the glorious likeness of the body of the Lord Jesus Christ (Phil. 3:21). Why does he want this resurrection? The question really is, Why wouldn’t he? After all, what is the greatest proof of the Christian’s longing to live a holy life, and to serve God forever? Surely, it is a longing to be perfect — in spirit, soul, mind and body — where our wretchedness (Rom. 7:24) will be a thing of the past. Of course, Jesus had to wait for his own resurrection. He had things to do for his Church first — especially his life and death on the cross. Resurrection life came three days after that. Paul also had to wait. The Church still needed him on earth (Phil. 1:24). Only when the race that God had given to him was over could Paul say that the ‘time of my departure has come’ (2 Timothy 4:6-7). It will be the same for all God’s people: a longing to be with Christ (Phil. 1:23), tempered by our commitment to God’s purposes on earth. Still, we have to be careful. Paul was not simply longing to go into the resurrected Christ’s presence in heaven — which is better by far (Phil. 1:23). He was longing for something which to this day has not yet happened to him — not even in the last 2,000 years. He was longing — and still is — for the morning of the resurrection. That will bring the perfection of body and soul. Remarkably, God’s people will enjoy that experience of perfection on the same day, on the same morning — together. There will be no selfishness at all. In fact, the unity of the perfected people of God in their resurrection oneness will be the most remarkable moment in human history under the headship of Jesus Christ. That’s when they will all perfectly rejoice in the Lord — together (Phil 3:1). •

BY JOHN ANGUS MACLEOD

ow can you have joy with the way things are, and yet at the same time, intensely

Wouldn’t the yearning cancel out the joy? Strangely, no. Take Paul, for example. He was rejoicing in the Lord Jesus, even in his prison life — and telling others to do the same. He clearly had learned the secret of contentment: joy in the Lord’s provision, the Lord’s plan and the Lord’s presence (Phil. 4:12). Yet, he was longing to be a better person than he already was — longing to be perfect and mature in every way. The reality is that the longing to be perfect never cancelled out the joy. In fact, that longing was at the core of his joy. It’s probably the same for all Christians — if they took the time to think about it like Paul does. There were some people of whom Paul was very aware — people whose joy was really based on their own achievements. They had real confidence in their pedigree, ancestry and obedience to the law. They believed they were numbered among the most distinctive people in the world, standing out of the crowd of humanity in the eyes of God; a bit like the Pharisee who prayed at the temple in the parable of Jesus (Luke 18:9-14), these people thought that somehow, God was in their debt. The measure of their joy and contentment at the end of each day corresponded to their own attainments — what they had done, all by themselves. Paul knew such people very well. After all, he had been one of them — a dyed-in-thewool, self-righteous, bigoted Pharisee. He was different now, though. A huge change had occurred. He couldn’t change his ancestry, pedigree, or his love of the law, but he would no longer close his days with the Pharisee’s prayer — ‘Lord, I thank you that I am not like other people…’ (Luke 18:11-12). Why? Because he began to find all his joy in knowing Jesus Christ, a brand-new, out-of-this-world relationship with the Son of God who became the Son of David. Paul knew that this life-transforming relationship was undeserved, unbreakable and unending. What he came to be in Christ was all of grace, and it would define who Paul was, forever and ever. What is it that Paul got from this relationship? First, he came to possess a righteousness that was never of his own making. This right standing with God, which would enable God to declare him ‘righteous’, was indeed his by possession, though not his by achievement. It was Christ who had lived the perfect life and died the sinner’s death — all in obedience to God. But he did it not for himself, but for God’s glory, so that God could give that ‘righteousness’ to all of his undeserving people. Paul was one of these undeserving people. He placed his faith in Christ, and received the righteousness of Christ. Not only had Jesus died for the sins of Paul, he had gifted the perfect life of righteousness to Paul. This meant that he would never have to be ashamed before God again. It is important to note, of course, that Paul did not place his faith in a Christ who lived long ago, now long dead. No, he placed his faith in the Christ who still lives — the Christ who was raised from death. Paul entrusted himself to the resurrected Christ who had lived and died once, and now lives forever to save all who trust in him. That clearly brought Paul joy and contentment. Second, Paul now began to experience a new power in his life, a power that had not been present before. You see, the Christ with whom Paul was now in a relationship had lived his own historical life. The historical life of Jesus now shaped Paul’s core, Godhonouring ambitions. Jesus always loved the commands of God and the will of God (‘I always do what pleases him’, John 8:29) — in his earthly and in his heavenly life. Now, Paul began to love God’s commandments as well. He started to love God’s law as much yearn for things to be better?

THE RECORD

Rev. John Angus MacLeod is Professor of New Testament and Greek at Edinburgh Theological Seminary.

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2020

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THE WONDER OF THE RESSURECTION

Voices, urging me to loathe Life, mocking my will to breathe, Wooing me with death’s embrace; Lying voices, promising an end Of torment, inviting me to think Oblivion a thoughtful friend; Seven voices, choking on their own Incorporeal misery, claiming The dead do not remember Their suffering. Those voices He cast out01, and in the ensuing silence I remembered my name: Miriam, who sang as the eager sea Devoured her enemies, When Israel fled Egypt’s tomb.02

We served His needs while He served us:05 Buying and preparing meals (Although He made fine bread and wine Himself!) To feed the Word whose words fed us. Those mysteries and parables, Were like the living joys a garden holds, But dimly seen as day prepares to break. What now is clear we then feared to admit: Which temple He’d rebuild;06 what dark event A prophet in a fish could possibly portend,07 Or how He must depart for distant realms To gain a kingdom, and then only be a king.08 When Peter voiced our faith, He spoke More often and more plainly still: The Son of Man must suffer, be rejected, Killed and raised to life.09 We placed a heavy stone Across the entrance to our minds.

At first I feared the quiet of my mind Could not last; from each imagined noise I recoiled, startled, cowering from abuse. His presence soothed my fears; His words Commanded peace. I wept, for sheer relief When He revealed the way The demons might return Was barred: A Stronger One, with keys To open and to shut, had come!03 My past, in ash no longer written; The way ahead was His to show.

BY RODDIE RANKIN reflects on the peace we forfeit when we refuse God’s loving command to be still.

Photo by Chad Madden on Unsplash

AS WITNESSED BY MARY MAGDALENE While He taught us to walk, we ran ahead To futures we desired. On the wrong side Of that great stone we lacked the light To read the signs. When Jairus burst with joy, Our coming joy which would exceed His, we could have seen;10 or when at Nain The widow’s hope revived,11 we should have learned The Son would never our hopes disappoint; And as He wiped away the sisters’ tears,12 Our tears too, we should have let Him dry, Through faith, which needlessly we shed.

All that I’d thought I never more could be: Clean, whole and free, I was. Ready for home, but no one there, And no home to share. My family His own: they took me in; my shelter Under His wings, a vagrant’s life, Begging from none but our Father To rescue us from evil day by day.04

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We thought raising the dead was difficult: He said it was impossible, but could be done,13 (And who more apt to raise but heaven’s Son?) From dust,14 from stones,15 Elisha’s bones,16 From nothing — from which all else came.17 We thought there was no need; no grave.

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ETS NEWS

BOARD MEMBERS COMPLETE PERIOD OF SERVICE

BY REV. THOMAS DAVIS

ANNUAL LECTURE IN SCOTTISH CHURCH HISTORY AND THEOLOGY

ach year, ets holds a public lecture in scottish church history and

theology. These annual lectures began in 2016 and are held to recognise the Seminary’s commitment to the study and preservation of Reformed Theology in the history of the Church in Scotland. There is an immensely rich heritage of theology found in the history of the Scottish Church, and ETS seeks to continue to serve as an institution where this heritage can be preserved, studied and appreciated. This year’s lecture was delivered by Dr Mark Elliot, Professor of Divinity and Biblical Criticism at the University of Glasgow and part-time professorial fellow at Wycliffe College, Toronto. Dr Elliot has recently co-edited, with David Fergusson, the three-volume History of Scottish Theology. Prof. Elliot’s lecture was entitled ‘Covenantalism: Scotland’s Red Thread’. In a fascinating lecture, he traced the central role of covenant in the Scottish Church’s understanding of God’s outworking of salvation across the ages of biblical history. This focus on covenant was an immensely strong

emphasis in Scotland, tied in with the 17th century’s National Covenant, which gave rise to the Covenantor movement. This focus on covenant has perhaps faded in the consciousness of much of the church in Scotland in the past 100 years, but Prof. Elliot’s lecture was a timely and very helpful reminder of how central the concept of covenant has been in the Scottish understanding of God’s saving work in Jesus Christ. The lecture was well attended, with both students and members of the public coming to Presbytery Hall for the occasion. Scottish Church History and Theology is a key part of the teaching programme at ETS, with opportunities to study our ecclesiastical and theological heritage available at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. Please see our website if you would like further details of these study opportunities. •

assembly in may. Usually, Board members serve two 4-year terms on a Board, after which they have to step down.

Two of our members, Dr Graham Keith and Mr Murdo Macphail, have both reached the end of their second 4-year terms, during which they have provided very valuable input into the life and work of ETS. We are immensely grateful for their commitment and support. At the General Assembly, two new members will be appointed. These must be elders in the Free Church (as both Graham and Murdo are), and over the past couple of months, Presbyteries have been asked to provide nominations for suitable individuals to serve on the Board. The third member of the Board to finish his period of service is Rev. Angus MacRae. Angus has served as Chairman of the Board of Ministry for the past eight years, and will complete his time in this role at the General Assembly. The Chairman of the Board of Ministry is automatically a member of the Seminary Board, so Angus’ time on the ETS Board will also come to an end, and the new chairman will join us. Angus has provided huge support to the Seminary during his time as Board of Ministry Chairman and we are deeply thankful for his commitment, wisdom and help. Finally, the fourth member to complete his service is Donald M. Macleod, who has been the student representative for the past twelve months. Each year a student (usually in their final year) will serve as a member of the Board, and Donald has provided a hugely valuable link between the Seminary Board and the student body currently studying at ETS. The other members of the Board are currently Dr Malcolm Maclean (Chairman), Dr Fergus Macdonald (Vice-Chairman), Principal Iver Martin, Dr Alistair Wilson and Rev. Thomas Davis. They will all be staying on for the time being. •

DR ALISTAIR WILSON SPEAKS AT ASET CONFERENCE IN KENYA

ts lecturer in mission and new testament, dr

Institute in South Africa, and this 2020 ASET conference was an excellent opportunity for him to maintain his close ties with the continent. Moreover, the opportunity to speak at the conference is an encouraging expression of the Seminary’s commitment to global mission through the work of the ETS Centre for Mission. •

alistair wilson, recently spoke at the africa society of evangelical theology (aset) conference

in nairobi, kenya.

Principal Iver Martin Welcomes Prof Mark Elliot to Presbytery Hall for the 2020 Annual Lecture in Scottish Church History and Theology.jpg

SEMESTER 2 CONTINUES

our members of the board of edinburgh theological seminary will reach the end of their tenure at the general

ime keeps marching on in the academic year, and semester 2 is continuing to progress well.

ASET unites scholars, pastors and students across Africa to provide opportunities to exchange ideas and promote the study of evangelical theology among pastors, theologians and church members. Dr Wilson spoke on the topic of ‘Christ’s Lordship of Mission in African Theology’. In his address he discussed a statement made by Prof. John Mbiti, who famously said that missionaries did not bring God to Africa, God brought them. This emphasis was later echoed by Dr Kwame Bediako, who modified Mbiti’s statement to say that missionaries did not bring Christ to Africa, Christ brought them. Dr Wilson explored the emphases of these claims, and moved towards highlighting the key biblical truth that Jesus Christ is Lord of Mission. Every missionary endeavour is undertaken under the lordship of Jesus, emphasised of course by Jesus’ own statement in the Great Commission of Matthew 28 that all authority on heaven and earth has been given to him. Dr Wilson previously served in Dumisani Theological

Students are currently just past halfway through the second semester, which means they are three-quarters of the way through the whole academic year. Right now, there are lots of essays due, so it is a busy time both for students writing and for lecturers marking. Once the essays are done, attention has to turn very quickly to the exams, which are at the beginning of May. For the final-year students, these are the last steps in a long journey which, all being well, will result in graduation after the exams are finished. The annual ETS Awards Ceremony will this year be held on Friday, 15 May. This is an opportunity to recognise the hard work of all our students and to commend our graduates to the next step of their lives. The Awards Ceremony is a public event held at St Columba’s Free Church in Edinburgh, and all are warmly invited to attend. •

Please continue to pray for the staff and students at ETS. We are so grateful for your ongoing, prayerful support.

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2020

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Africa Society of Evangelical Theology Conference, Nairobi, Kenya

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PART 5 SON OF MARY FOR ALL ETERNITY

BY IAIN GILL A series of short articles about Jesus’ resurrection

Paul always speaks of God raising Jesus. It is usually understood that the Holy Spirit is God’s agent in such matters. And Jesus spoke of having the authority to raise himself. So we accept that all persons of the Trinity were involved. Magnificent! But we’ve missed something; something very important. The resurrection story does not start at the grave. It starts in eternity in the plans and purposes of God. The focus of this article is the succession of choices made by Jesus, linking the Incarnation and Resurrection. For us, Easter starts at Christmas. We know the story. Jesus agreed to take human nature and to suffer a lifetime of humiliation. Bearing in mind the contrast with his previous life in heaven and the indescribable intensity of bearing the sin of the world at Calvary, such sacrifice was astonishing and enough to bring us to our knees in worship and adoration. The Son of God agreed to become the son of Mary, born as a human in the line of David. Jesus agreed to take human nature, and he did it for us. Jesus spoke of having choices. The gospel accounts of the servant of the high priest getting his ear sliced off demonstrate Jesus’ choice to die at Calvary. In John 10:17-18 he says: ‘… I lay down my life — only to take it up again. No-one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.’ Jesus agreed to his resurrection. By agreeing to his resurrection, Jesus committed himself to retaining human nature for all eternity. God did not just intervene in human history. God committed himself to a ‘forever’ change. That’s massive. Jesus’ motivation for his choices lay in a divine plan to which he was committed. In his humiliation Jesus regarded that plan as the will of his Father. Incarnation, Calvary and Resurrection were essential parts of that plan. Starting from his conception in Mary, Jesus took human nature. Note the careful balance in the key passage of Romans 1:34. Paul says, ‘regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David … declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord.’ Even post-resurrection, the One who sits at the right hand of God is the son of Mary and the Son of God. Jesus had choices. He chose to die for us. He chose also to rise for us. Both in their own way were huge decisions, but both were for us and both were in obedience to the will of the Father, leading to a glory beyond our comprehension. All the benefits that flow from Jesus’ resurrection, including our future physical resurrection and eternal blessing, are a result of his choice to carry out his Father’s will. What a wonderful Saviour we have! The Lord is risen! He is risen indeed! Hallelujah! •

THE RECORD

Albrecht Altdorfer: The Resurrection of Christ (1518)

ho raised jesus?

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