Resurrection Sunday

John 3:16–21 ““For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. “This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. “For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. “But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.””

God sent his Son with the motive of love

God knew the people He was sending His Son to save

God knew it was a hostile environment

Lazarus Dies That They May Live

New American Standard Bible (1995) Chapter 11

1 Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.

2 It was the Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.

3 So the sisters sent word to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.”

4 But when Jesus heard this, He said, “This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it.”

5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.

6 So when He heard that he was sick, He then stayed two days longer in the place where He was.

7 Then after this He *said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.”

Luke 7:36–50 “Now one of the Pharisees was requesting Him to dine with him, and He entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. And there was a woman in the city who was a sinner; and when she learned that He was reclining at the table in the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster vial of perfume, and standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears, and kept wiping them with the hair of her head, and kissing His feet and anointing them with the perfume. Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet He would know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching Him, that she is a sinner.” And Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he replied, “Say it, Teacher.” “A moneylender had two debtors: one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. “When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?” Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have judged correctly.” Turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. “You gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet. “You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume. “For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” Then He said to her, “Your sins have been forgiven.” Those who were reclining at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?” And He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.””

They were in a position to see something miraculous that should lead them to belief.

This is why we gather today, to celebrate a miraculous event done with unfathomable love into a world that would reject Him

Jesus The Resurrection and the Life

New American Standard Bible (1995) Chapter 11

17 So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days.

18 Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off;

19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, to console them concerning their brother.

20 Martha therefore, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went to meet Him, but Mary stayed at the house.

21 Martha then said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have

Believe: 11:25-26 Verb, Present, Active, Participle, Singular, Nominative Masculine

Believed: 11:27 Verb Present Active Indicative 1st Person Singular

Martha believed, and continues to do so.

Jesus is Doubted by the Jews

New American Standard Bible (1995) Chapter 11

28 When she had said this, she went away and called Mary her sister, saying secretly, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.”

29 And when she heard it, she *got up quickly and was coming to Him.

30 Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but

John 11:37

It is a time of sorrow, and they are still challenging Jesus

Raising Lazarus from the Dead

New American Standard Bible (1995) Chapter 11

38 So Jesus,

John 11:40 reflects back on what Martha had said to Jesus in John 11:27 where she believed, and as an consequence, she was able to see the glory of God through the resurrection of Lazarus.

Jesus was moved, disturbed, by what He was observing.

New American Standard Bible (1995) Chapter 11

45 Therefore many of the Jews who came to Mary, and saw what He had done,

Many did what Jesus had desired, they believed in Him.

There were some who had a mental understanding of what Jesus had done. They understood what He had done, but instead of believing in Him, they rebelled.

The Plot and Prophesy to Kill Jesus

New American Standard Bible (1995) Chapter 11

47 Therefore the chief priests and the Pharisees convened a council, and were saying, “What are we doing? For this man is performing many signs.

48 “If we let Him go on like this, all men will

John 11:48:

They understood the intent of Jesus - He wanted them to believe. But they were more concerned about the potential nationalistic outcomes, not alignment with God which is their primary role as religious leaders.

John 11:51:

An unfaithful, unbelieving religious leader knew God’s plan and understood the ramifications

John 11:53:

His death served a political purpose

These religious leaders cared about the nation more than about the nation believing the in the promise of God.

New American Standard Bible (1995) Chapter 11

54 Therefore Jesus no longer continued to walk publicly among the Jews, but went away from there to the country near the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim; and there He stayed with the disciples.

55 Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went up to Jerusalem out of the country before the Passover to purify themselves.

56 So they were seeking for Jesus, and were saying to one another as they stood in the temple, “What do you think; that He will not come to the feast at all?”

57 Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where He was, he was to report it, so that they might seize Him.

Jesus Resurrected

Matthew 28:1–15 “Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. “He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. “Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you.” And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me.” Now while they were on their way, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all that had happened. And when they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, and said, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep.’ “And if this should come to the governor’s ears, we will win him over and keep you out of trouble.” And they took the money and did as they had been instructed; and this story was widely spread among the Jews, and is to this day.”

Both Mary and Martha were present when Lazarus was born, and now Mary is present when Jesus is resurrected.

1 Corinthians 15:14–17 “and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.”

Romans 10:9 “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;”

Jesus Raised Lazarus proving He is the Resurrection and the Life, now He is risen and raising believers from the dead.

We are to look at His resurrection and believe, as they did at the resurrection of Lazarus

His love drove Him to enter a hostile world, be tempted in all ways as we are, die a painful death on our behalf, then rise again to love us and raise us from the dead.

NOTE:

In John 11:25–26, the participles denote ongoing belief rather than a singular moment. The present participles for living and believing function as durative qualifications, indicating continuous action[1]. This grammatical choice matters significantly for understanding Jesus’s promise.

The single article governing both participles—“living” and “believing”—expresses two dimensions of the same reality, with believing characterizing the quality of eternal life itself[2]. The construction emphasizes that faith isn’t a one-time decision but rather the defining orientation of those who possess true life.

This interpretation aligns with broader Johannine usage. Following Jesus, expressed through present-tense participles in John 8:12, conveys continual following and parallels trusting in Him—a way of life rather than a momentary act[1]. The parallel promises made to followers and believers reinforce that saving faith operates as an ongoing disposition.

The spiritual connection with Jesus involves confidence and trust that clings to Him, and these promises are lost only through turning from faith[1]. Martha’s response in verse 27 further illuminates this: her use of the present perfect “I have believed” emphasizes both a past action and its continuing results—she believes now because she came to believe in the past[2].

The distinction matters pastorally and theologically. Jesus isn’t asking for momentary assent but for sustained trust—a persevering confidence in His identity and power. The present participles grammatically encode what the passage teaches conceptually: eternal life belongs to those whose faith remains active and defining throughout their existence.

[1] Robert Shank, Steve Witzki, and Craig Keener, Life in the Son: A Study of the Doctrine of Perseverance (Bethany House, 2024), 44–46. [2] William C. Weinrich, John 7:2–12:50, ed. Curtis P. Giese, Concordia Commentary (St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House, 2022), 582.

A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. ταράσσω

ταράσσω impf. ἐτάρασσον; fut. 3 sg. ταράξει LXX; 1 aor. ἐτάραξα. Pass.: impf. ἐταρασσόμην; fut. 3 sg. ταραχθήσεται; 1 aor. ἐταράχθην; pf. τετάραγμαι, ptc. τεταραγμένος (Hom.+; Ath., R. 3 p. 51, 30 [-ττ]).

① to cause movement by shaking or stirring, shake together, stir up of water (Hom. et al.; Aesop 155 P.=274b Halm//160 H-H; Babrius 166, 5=Fgm. 4 p. 144 L-P.; Athen. 7, 52, 298c ταραττομένου τοῦ ὕδατος;

Old Testament Passages Pointing to the Last Day

The Old Testament contains numerous prophecies about a future day of divine judgment and restoration. Daniel 12:2 describes a time of distress followed by resurrection, when many will awake from death—some to everlasting life and others to disgrace and contempt. Isaiah 2:12 announces a day when the Lord will reckon with the proud and lofty. Joel 2:28–3:5 envisions the pouring out of God’s Spirit on all people, followed by cosmic signs and a day when the sun turns dark and the moon becomes blood, yet those calling on the Lord’s name will escape. Zechariah 14 depicts a day when the Lord will gather nations against Jerusalem, then fight on their behalf, with His feet standing on the Mount of Olives. Malachi 4:1 speaks of a coming day burning like a furnace, consuming the arrogant and evildoers. Additional prophecies appear in Isaiah 13:5,9,13, which describe the day of the Lord as cruel and accompanied by cosmic upheaval, and Zephaniah 1:14–15, which characterizes it as a day of wrath, trouble, and darkness.

New Testament Passages on Living in the Last Days and the Last Day to Come

The New Testament presents the church as already inhabiting the final era while awaiting its culmination. Acts 2:17 quotes Joel’s prophecy, declaring that God’s Spirit is being poured out “in the last days.” Hebrews 1:2 states that God has spoken through His Son “in these last days.” 1 John 2:18 announces that “it is the last hour,” evidenced by the appearance of many antichrists. 2 Timothy 3:1 warns that “in the last days difficult times will come.” 2 Peter 3:3 similarly notes that “in the last days mockers will come.”

Regarding the future last day itself, John 6:39–40 presents Jesus promising to raise believers “on the last day.” 1 Thessalonians 5:2 states that “the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night.” Matthew 24:36 emphasizes that “of that day and hour no one knows.” 2 Peter 3:10 describes the day of the Lord arriving “like a thief,” when the heavens will pass away and elements be destroyed with heat. Revelation 20:11–12 envisions a great white throne where the dead stand before God and are judged according to their deeds.

Without Christ’s resurrection, faith becomes hollow and sin’s penalty remains unpaid (1 Cor 15:14–17). Paul’s argument in 1 Corinthians 15 establishes the resurrection as foundational to Christian salvation itself—not merely as evidence supporting faith, but as the event that makes faith efficacious.

The logical chain is tight: Christ’s resurrection demonstrates that God accepted His sacrifice and declared believers justified (Rom 4:25). Salvation depends on confessing Jesus as Lord and believing that God raised Him from the dead (Rom 10:9). This isn’t incidental theology; the resurrection stands as the divine validation of everything Christ accomplished. The resurrection accredits Christ’s atonement, guaranteeing that God received His sacrifice as full satisfaction of His wrath against sin and complete payment for sin’s penalty[1].

Without the resurrection, believers remain trapped in their transgressions because no redemptive power has been unleashed. The resurrection achieved salvation by ensuring that those united to Christ through His death will certainly be saved through His life[1]. The resurrection transforms Christ’s death from a tragic execution into a victorious act—God’s reversal of human rejection and the vindication of Christ’s atoning work.

The implications extend beyond individual justification. The resurrection inaugurated the new age, allowing believers to experience now a foretaste of the age to come[2]. Through Christ’s resurrection, believers are born again to a living hope (1 Pet 1:3). The Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in believers and will give life to their mortal bodies (Rom 8:11).

Paul’s conditional statement—“if Christ has not been raised”—isn’t hypothetical musing but a rhetorical device emphasizing the absolute necessity of the resurrection. Without it, Christianity collapses entirely. With it, everything changes: sin is conquered, death is defeated, and believers inherit both present transformation and future immortality.

[1] Michael P. V. Barrett, Beginning at Moses: A Guide to Finding Christ in the Old Testament (Greenville, SC; Belfast, Northern Ireland: Ambassador-Emerald International, 2001), 93. [2] L. Morris, “Resurrection of Jesus Christ,” in The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised, ed. Geoffrey W. Bromiley (Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1979–1988), 4:153.

Related Media

Related Sermons

Earn an accredited degree from Redemption Seminary with Logos.