He rose the same person, the same Jesus Christ, very God and very man, which had died; he rose according to the nature in which he had suffered, which was his human nature, his true human nature, the very same which it was in essence and properties, not deified, but glorified, having laid aside all the infirmities to which it was subject. “Behold my hands and my feet, it is I myself; handle me, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones, as you see me have” (Luke 24:39.) And truly nothing different from that which had died, could rise again. The very same body, therefore, which had fallen a victim to death rose again; and it is this which affords us such great consolation. For it was necessary that he should be one, and the same mediator, who would merit for us those blessings which we had lost by sin, and who would restore them unto us, by applying them to each one singly. Indeed, had not the flesh of Christ risen, ours could not rise.
—Zacharias Ursinus, Body of Doctrine, on Heidelberg Catechism Question 45.
R. Scott Clark
R.Scott Clark is the President of the Heidelberg Reformation Association, the author and editor of, and contributor to several books and the author of many articles. He has taught church history and historical theology since 1997 at Westminster Seminary California. He has also taught at Wheaton College, Reformed Theological Seminary, and Concordia University. He has hosted the Heidelblog since 2007.
More by R. Scott Clark ›
“Indeed, had not the flesh of Christ risen ours could not rise,” deserves to be proclaimed from the rooftops! Thanks for this post.