Lord's Day 17 — Thursday: Union with Christ in Death and Resurrection
Lord's Day 17: The Resurrection
Thursday — Union with Christ in Death and Resurrection
The Catechism
Q45. How does Christ's resurrection benefit us?
First, by his resurrection he has overcome death, so that he could make us share in the righteousness which he had obtained for us by his death. 1 Second, by his power we too are raised up to a new life. 2 Third, Christ's resurrection is to us a sure pledge of our glorious resurrection. 3 1. Rom 4:25; 1 Cor 15:16-20; 1 Pet 1:3-5. 2. Rom 6:5-11; Eph 2:4-6; Col 3:1-4. 3. Rom 8:11; 1 Cor 15:12-23; Phil 3:20, 21.
Today's Emphasis
Our resurrection life flows from our union with Christ. We died with Him, we rose with Him, and we live with Him. This mystical union is the heart of the gospel.
Scripture Readings
Ephesians 2:4-6
"But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ ... and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus."
Romans 6:8-11
"Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him ... So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus."
From the Reformers
John Calvin (Institutes of the Christian Religion, 3.1.1)
"We must understand that as long as Christ remains outside of us, and we are separated from him, all that he has suffered and done for the salvation of the human race remains useless and of no value for us."
Reflection Questions
• What does it mean to 'consider yourself dead to sin and alive to God' in a concrete situation you're facing?
• How does your union with Christ shape your identity more than your circumstances, failures, or successes?
Growing in grace through the Catechism — The Hearthside Team 🔥