I was just wondering if you could compare and contrast the power that the Son (Jesus) had pre-death and resurrection to post death and resurrection?
I am interested in this because you mentioned that the Father created the world through the POWER of the Son. I know that the Bible also talks about Jesus being crowned a powerful King after his death and resurrection. So what was the difference in his ‘power’ before and after?
Interesting question. I guess I want to be careful to clarify what I meant. It’s not as if the Father didn’t have the power in himself to create the world and so used the power of his Son to achieve it. It’s more that the Father’s will was carried out by the Son and the Spirit. The power of the Triune God was manifested in Creation.
As to the nature of the Son’s power before and after his death and resurrection, I don’t know that he was ever more or less powerful. Although, in the incarnation, I think its probably correct to say that the Son sets aside his power to some extent. A good example of this is Matthew 26:53 “do you think I cannot call on my Father and he will at once put at my disposal twelve legions of angels”. Notice that Jesus says he could call on his Father and his Father would send the angels. This may mean that Jesus didn’t have the power to command the angels directly at that time.
But of course, Jesus also displayed incredible power in many ways during his ministry – power over nature, evil spirits, sickness & death – and perhaps the greatest power of all: power to face the cross in humble, loving obedience.
Hi Pete,
I was just wondering if you could compare and contrast the power that the Son (Jesus) had pre-death and resurrection to post death and resurrection?
I am interested in this because you mentioned that the Father created the world through the POWER of the Son. I know that the Bible also talks about Jesus being crowned a powerful King after his death and resurrection. So what was the difference in his ‘power’ before and after?
Hi Mark
Interesting question. I guess I want to be careful to clarify what I meant. It’s not as if the Father didn’t have the power in himself to create the world and so used the power of his Son to achieve it. It’s more that the Father’s will was carried out by the Son and the Spirit. The power of the Triune God was manifested in Creation.
As to the nature of the Son’s power before and after his death and resurrection, I don’t know that he was ever more or less powerful. Although, in the incarnation, I think its probably correct to say that the Son sets aside his power to some extent. A good example of this is Matthew 26:53 “do you think I cannot call on my Father and he will at once put at my disposal twelve legions of angels”. Notice that Jesus says he could call on his Father and his Father would send the angels. This may mean that Jesus didn’t have the power to command the angels directly at that time.
But of course, Jesus also displayed incredible power in many ways during his ministry – power over nature, evil spirits, sickness & death – and perhaps the greatest power of all: power to face the cross in humble, loving obedience.
A few thoughts…