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I am sure you have been misunderstood and remember the feelings that come with it. They say, “That’s not how it went!” not letting you finish the story because they think you’ve got it wrong. What’s worse is being misinterpreted and then laughed at or accused based on that misinterpretation. “Ha, you idiot! That’s not what happened!”
Then, that special moment comes—you find the email, retrieve that text, or search Google. “Vindicated!” You think to yourself, “Who’s laughing now?” What’s better, the other person acknowledges, “Okay, you were right….” Victory…and vindication.
I don’t mean to suggest Jesus had this feeling when he was resurrected, but I do mean to suggest that the resurrection is Jesus’ public display to all people that his words are true, that his actions were right, and that others misinterpreted him leading to his condemnation and death. His resurrection vindicates his life.
The resurrection vindicates Jesus’ words because others misinterpreted him. Jesus made drastic claims. He claimed to be God’s spokesman. He claimed to have authority that is equal to God’s authority. He foretold the future. He claimed to be God’s promised king and savior. He claimed to be God. Many misinterpreted him including his family, closest followers, would-be followers, Jewish religious authorities, and Roman political authorities.
Not accepting him, the Jews accused him to Rome. Fearing an uprising, Rome killed him. He did nothing wrong.
Then Jesus resurrected—vindicating him against false accusations and proving that he is who he says he is.
The resurrection vindicated Jesus’ actions because others thought he was rebelling against God. The Jews during the first century had established social norms—so did the Samaritans. Jesus broke these norms. They told him that he must wash his hands before eating and that he must stop healing people on the Sabbath holy day. Samaritans didn’t want Jews talking with them—tribes shouldn’t mix.
Jesus didn’t comply. He spoke with Samarians and healed people on the holy day.
They thought he was breaking God’s law. When Roman authority Pilate told him to speak, he was quiet. When Jewish authorities told him to be quiet, he spoke.
“Rebel!” They didn’t like his challenges. They killed him. Then he resurrected displaying that the world doesn’t accept what is right and that he was doing what is true.
The resurrection vindicates Jesus’ followers because others misinterpret them and wrongly accuse them. At times, Jesus’ followers are the greatest hindrance to Jesus’ plan for the world. They may be stubborn, rude, angry, self-righteous, and prideful. I am not saying all of Jesus’ followers are perfect.
Rather, I am saying that Christians will be vindicated at the resurrection because some will be murdered, lose their jobs, lose their friends, or be excluded from the group for following Jesus. These events will be unjust. Jesus will vindicate them.
Jesus’ resurrection is a foretaste of the coming resurrection for all who embrace, by faith, Jesus’ words and plan. Jesus vindicates them not merely for the sake of giving them justice, but also for the sake of proving that their testimony of him is true.
By embracing the resurrection, you have the freedom of not having the last word. While there will be times for you to take the last word and clarify yourself, there will be many other times when you can sincerely let it go and move on with your life. You don’t need vindication now—the resurrection is coming.
If you are not a Christian, Jesus’ resurrection can be the last word for you. His resurrection also proves that you will not be satisfied by having the last word with others. If others argue with you, misinterpret you, or misrepresent you—sure it will feel better to vindicate yourself and set your world right. But even if you had the power to have the last word every time, you will not feel satisfied or vindicated. It will still “get to you” and “upset you.”
You need something better. You need New Creation. Jesus began it—and you’re invited.
Thanks for Reading,
Aaron