Cyril of Jerusalem, Lecture 14, Part C

Cyril of Jerusalem

Lecture 14, Part C

https://www.swrktec.org/catechism

“Now I make known unto you, brethren, the gospel which I preached unto you.... that He has been raised on the third day according to the Scriptures….” — 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

Summary: St. Cyril transitions his focus from the glories of the Resurrection to Christ’s Ascension and Enthronement.  He concludes with a beautiful prayer of benediction.

Preview:  21.  “Since we have the prophesies, let faith abide with us.”  “… you have taken your stand on the rock of the faith in the Resurrection.  Let no heretic ever persuade you to speak evil of the Resurrection.”  The Manichees say that a phantom arose, not heeding Paul.  “And He was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve; then He was seen of above five hundred brethren at once.”[i]  22.  “Many [other] witnesses there are of the Savior’s resurrection”: too many to list in this brief summary.  23.  And later, Tabitha, who was herself raised, became a witness of the resurrection.[ii]  The list of witnesses is seemingly endless: so, we must move on to the Ascension.  24.  “Who rose again the third day, and ascended into Heaven, and sat down on the right hand of the Father.”[iii]  “He ascended on high, He led captivity captive.”[iv]  25.  “… for if Habakkuk was transported by an Angel, being carried by the hair of his head, much rather was the Lord of both Prophets and Angels, able by His own power to make His ascent into the Heavens on a cloud from the Mount of Olives”: then how can the Jews say it is impossible.”[v]  Enoch was translated, Elias was taken up.  26.  “And when you have thus wrestled against the Jews — when you have worsted them by parallel instances, then come further to the pre-eminence of the Savior’s glory; namely, that they [Enoch and Elias] were the servants, but He the Son of God.”  28.  Of His enthronement, “The Lord said to my Lord, Sit on My right hand, until I make Your enemies Your footstool.”[vi]  29.  “Nevertheless, I say unto you, Henceforth you shall see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of power.”[vii]  “By the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is on the right hand of God, having gone into heaven.”[viii]  “It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God.”[ix]  “According to the working of His mighty power, which He wrought in Christ when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand….”[x]  “If you then be risen with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.”[xi]  “When He had made purification of our sins, He sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.”[xii]  “But unto which of the Angels has He said at any time, Sit thou at My right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool?”[xiii]  “Looking unto Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, despising shame, and is set down on the right hand of the throne of God.”[xiv]  30.  These texts suffice for the moment.  “Now may He Himself, the God of all, who is Father of the Christ, and our Lord Jesus Christ, who came down, and ascended, and sits together with the Father, watch over your souls; keep unshaken and unchanged your hope in Him who rose again; raise you together with Him from your dead sins unto His heavenly gift; count you worthy to be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air.”[xv]  “And may He grant to all of you to believe in Him who rose again, and to look for Him who is gone up, and is to come again.”  “For think not that because He is now absent in the flesh, He is therefore absent also in the Spirit. He is here present in the midst of us, listening to what is said of Him, and beholding your inward thoughts, and trying the reins and hearts — who also is now ready to present those who are coming to baptism, and all of you, in the Holy Ghost to the Father, and to say, Behold, I and the children whom God has given Me: — To whom be glory forever.  Amen.”

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[i] 1 Corinthians 15:5-6

[ii] Acts 9:41

[iii] Mark 16:19; Luke 24:49-53; Acts 1:1-11

[iv] He received or gave gifts to men.  Psalms 67:18 Septuagint; Psalms 68:18; Ephesians 4:8

[v] Even today certain of the Jewish rabbis claim such flight (see the Chaim Potok novels for illustrative lore; see Lurian Kabbalah for Jewish mystical philosophy).  Bel and the Dragon 33-39 Septuagint; Daniel 14:33-36 (NRSVCE)

[vi] Psalms 109:1 Septuagint; Psalms 110:1; Acts 2:34

[vii] Matthew 26:64

[viii] 1 Peter 3:22

[ix] Romans 8:34

[x] Ephesians 1:19-20

[xi] Colossians 3:1

[xii] Hebrews 1:3

[xiii] Psalm 99:5; 110:1; 132:7; Matthew 22:44; Mark 12:36; Luke 20:43; Acts 2:35; Hebrews 1:13; 10:13

[xiv] Hebrews 12:1, 2, 3-14, 22-29

[xv] 1 Thessalonians 4:17