The Glory Of This Resurrection

Est aliud in quo resurrectionis hujus innotescat gloria singularis. Quis enim in caeteris omnibus suscitavit aliquando semetipsum? Ineffabile istud est, ut a morte se excitet ipse qui dormit: singulare est; non est qui faciat, non est usque ad unum. Eliseus propheta mortuum suscitavit, sed alterum, non semetipsum. Ecce enim quot annis jacet in monumento, quod a se non potest, sperans ab alio suscitari; ab eo utique qui triumphavit mortis imperium in seipso. Inde est quod caeteros quidem dicimus suscitatos, Christum resurrexisse, qui solus virtute propria victor prodiit de sepulcro: siquidem et in hoc vicit leo de tribu Juda, Quantum poterit, immo quid non posse videbitur vivens, et dicens Patri: Resurrexi, et adhuc sum tecum; qui tam potens exstitit deputatus cum mortuis, sed inter mortuos liber? Sanctus Bernardus Clarae Vallensis, Sermones De Tempore, In Die Sancto Paschae Source: Migne PL 183.277d-278a

There is something else in which the singular glory of this resurrection is known. Who among all other men was ever able to raise himself? It has never been told that anyone who slept was able to raise himself from death. It is unheard of, there is not one that could do it, not even one. Elisha the prophet raised a dead man, but it was another man, not himself. 1 Behold how many years he lays in the tomb who is not able to raise himself but hopes for another, that is, apart from Him who triumphed over the empire of death in Himself. Hence we say that others were raised up, but Christ has risen, He who alone is the victor, who with His own power comes forth from the tomb. Here the lion of Judah conquers. How much will he be able to do, indeed, what will he not seem able to do, who lives and says to the Father, 'I have risen, and I am yet with you.' 2 Who is so powerful when set among the dead, but he who is a free man among the dead. Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Sermons for the Year, On Easter 1 4 Kings 4.35 2 Apoc 5.5, Ps 138.18, Ps 87.6