Jesus Christ pleased his Father perfectly in his life on earth and in his death. He now gives believers a new status before God and a new power for living.
The promised Messiah will be righteous
Zechariah 9:9 See also Psalm 45:7; Isaiah 53:11; Jeremiah 23:5–6, Jeremiah 33:15
Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
The promised Messiah will establish righteousness
Psalm 72:1–4; Isaiah 9:7, Isaiah 11:3–5
Jesus Christ's own righteousness
Righteousness is characteristic of Jesus Christ
Acts 22:14 See also Acts 3:14, Acts 7:52; 2 Timothy 4:8; Hebrews 1:8–9; 1 John 2:1, 1 John 2:29, 1 John 3:7
Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will and to see the Righteous One and to hear His voice.
Jesus Christ's obedience shows his righteousness
John 8:28–29 See also John 4:34, John 6:38, John 12:49–50, John 14:31; Philippians 2:8; Hebrews 5:8–9, Hebrews 10:9
So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing on My own, but speak exactly what the Father has taught Me. He who sent Me is with Me. He has not left Me alone, because I always do what pleases Him.”
Jesus Christ judges righteously
John 5:30 See also Revelation 19:11
I can do nothing by Myself; I judge only as I hear. And My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.
Jesus Christ is declared not guilty
Luke 23:14–15 See also Luke 23:4; John 19:6; Acts 3:13
and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined Him here in your presence and found Him not guilty of your charges against Him. Neither has Herod, for he sent Him back to us. As you can see, He has done nothing deserving of death.
Jesus Christ's righteousness recognised by others
Luke 23:47 See also Mark 10:17–18 parallel Luke 18:18–19; Luke 23:41; Acts 10:38
When the centurion saw what had happened, he gave glory to God, saying, “Surely this was a righteous man.”
Consequences of Jesus Christ's righteousness
God justifies believers on account of the righteousness of Jesus Christ
Romans 5:18–19 See also Romans 3:23–26; 1 Peter 3:18; 2 Peter 1:1
So then, just as one trespass brought condemnation for all men, so also one act of righteousness brought justification and life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
All who believe share in the righteousness of Jesus Christ
1 Corinthians 1:30 See also Romans 3:21–22, Romans 4:6, Romans 4:24, Romans 9:30, Romans 10:3–4; 2 Corinthians 5:21
It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God: our righteousness, holiness, and redemption.
Believers live by and for Jesus Christ's righteousness
Philippians 1:11 One of Paul's prayers for Christians. See also Romans 6:18, Romans 8:10; 1 Peter 2:24
filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.