Christ's True Passio
Christ's suffering was real, and it is significant because He drew all men to Himself for their eternal salvation.
Ignatius of Antioch emphasizes the true suffering and resurrection of Jesus Christ, refuting the claims of unbelievers who deny the reality of His incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection. He highlights the importance of Christ dwelling in flesh and raising His own temple on the third day, drawing all people to Himself for eternal salvation.
Text
Now, He suffered all these things for us; and He suffered them really, and not in appearance only, even as also He truly rose again. But not, as some of the unbelievers, who are ashamed of the formation of man, and the cross, and death itself, affirm, that in appearance only, and not in truth, He took a body of the Virgin, and suffered only in appearance, forgetting, as they do, Him who said, "The Word was made flesh; " and again, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up; " and once more, "If I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men unto Me." The Word therefore did dwell in flesh, for "Wisdom built herself an house."
The Word raised up again His own temple on the third day, when it had been destroyed by the Jews fighting against Christ.
The Word, when His flesh was lifted up, after the manner of the brazen serpent in the wilderness, drew all men to Himself for their eternal salvation.
Sermon Outline
- The Reality of Christ's Suffering
- The Unbelievers' Misconceptions
- The Significance of Christ's Suffering
- The Word dwelling in flesh
- The resurrection of Christ's temple
- Christ drawing all men to Himself
Key Quotes
“The Word was made flesh;” — Ignatius of Antioch
“Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up;” — Ignatius of Antioch
“If I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men unto Me.” — Ignatius of Antioch
Application Points
- Recognize the reality and significance of Christ's suffering.
- Understand that Christ's incarnation is a fundamental truth of Christianity.
- Trust in Christ's power to draw all men to Himself for their eternal salvation.