040807 10am The Resurrection of Our Lord
The Resurrection of Our Lord
Taken by Surprise
April 8, 2007
Text: Luke 24:1–12
Other Lessons: Isaiah 65:17–25; Psalm 16; 1 Corinthians 15:19–26
Sermon Theme: The resurrection shows Jesus to be the true victor over sin and death, and his victory is shared with all Christians.
Goal: That hearers become more confident that Christ’s resurrection brings them victory over sin and death.
Rev. David J. Peter, DMin, associate professor of practical theology, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri
The Resurrection Shows Jesus to Be the True Victor over Sin and Death, and His Victory Is Shared with All Christians.
I. Christ’s resurrection came as a surprise to everyone, even to his closest followers.
II. But the followers of Jesus shouldn’t have been surprised at his resurrection, because he had told them beforehand this would happen.
III. Christ’s resurrection brings a surprising victory in the spiritual realm, for while in the very clutches of death, Christ overcomes death.
IV. The most wonderful surprise of all is that God’s victory over sin and death is also ours through faith in Jesus.
What might it have been like on the first Good Friday when Jesus was crucified? I mean, one could have easily concluded that the hope of Israel that had been in Jesus was all lost at the cross. It certainly appeared as though “Jesus Christ was defeated . . .” His lifeless body was laid in the tomb, and his followers returned to their residences filled with grief and hopelessness. It must have seemed as though Jesus was not the promised Messiah after all. Even Satan must have thought he had won the most decisive victory in the history of mankind. It makes me think of the taunts the Devil pestered Jesus with in the desert right after He was baptized and began His ministry. You might recall how scripture says that Satan departed from Jesus until an opportune time. It looks as though this was the time.
But that first Easter tells a different story. The reality is that sin, death, and the devil were defeated when Jesus rose from the dead. The Resurrection tells the rest of the story. It shows Jesus to be the true victor! And that victory extends to all—especially to the household of faith. God be praised, Christ Jesus is alive and well—even today!
I.
That part of Jesus’ story still comes as a surprise for people today like it did even his closest followers. In spite of what He had told them, His companions thought that Friday afternoon was the last they would ever see Jesus alive. We know that because of their reactions of surprise recorded for us in Luke 24. Just listen to the angelic message of surprise: “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen” (vv 5b–6a).
II.
People today are surprised by Christians who still steadfastly believe, teach and confess the bodily resurrection of Jesus. Certain people who purport to have found the bones of Jesus and his family, are undoubtedly convinced that such an understanding of the resurrection is pure folly. Yet, I remain convinced that the written word of the Bible is God’s truth through and through.
The cable channels have been filled with “expert studies” that pretty much debunks this old, supposedly outdated, belief. I have to confess, these reports sure do make for interesting reading and entertaining books. But—and this is a huge but! There is not a one of them that has God’s power to bestow life, like the biblical record does. And it is because of this life that I remain convinced as did St. Paul:
1 Corinthians 15:16-17 (ESV)
16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.
But, we are certainly not in our sins any longer because Christ has been raised—never to die again. The words of faith are clear and sure. Only unbelief denies them. St. Paul writes again:
1 Corinthians 15:20-22 (ESV)
20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
This means that we who do believe, live in new life that is a literal participation in the life of Christ. To God be the glory! That life keeps us safe by the very life of Jesus. Listen to how the apostle John says it in the words Jesus Himself spoke:
John 5:25-27 (ESV)
25 “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man.
Of course Jesus is talking about spiritual death here. But in the very next couple of verses makes it clear that this spiritual resurrection will be followed by the bodily resurrection of all the dead—some going to glory, other going to hell. Talk about surprises. It is a surprise that anyone believes if Jesus does not live because faith is born out of His life.
III.
Perhaps nowhere was the surprise of Christ’s victory over death greater than in the spiritual realm. In the battle of the ages, the fallen prince of darkness had done all he could to bring the Prince of Peace under his power. When Jesus succumbed to death, it appeared that he had been swallowed up into Satan’s dominion of death. C. F. W. Walther expresses Satan’s apparent victory in these words of a hymn (quote LSB 480:2, TLH 198:2).
The foe was triumphant when on Calvary
The Lord of creation was nailed to the tree.
In Satan’s domain did the hosts shout and jeer,
For Jesus was slain, whom the evil ones fear.
Yet in what appears to be a victory for the enemy, God brings about a most wondrous surprise. While in the very grasp of death, God’s Messiah overcomes death. The victim suddenly is proved to be the victor! He who was dead now is alive again! Dr. Walther’s hymn continues with the rest of the story” (quote LSB 480:3).
But short was their triumph, the Savior arose,
And death, hell, and Satan He vanquished, His foes.
The conquering Lord lifts His banner on high;
He lives, yes, He lives, and will nevermore die.
In weeks to come, we will hear even more of the resurrection story as the apostle Peter declares to the very ones who had crucified Christ and had watched him die: “God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him” (Acts 2:24 NIV). Jesus makes His victory very clear in the opening chapter of the book of Revelation, saying:
Revelation 1:17-19 (ESV)
17 “Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.
IV.
For me, the greatest surprise of all—and the most wonderful—is the fact that God’s surprise victory has become my victory as well. Through faith in Christ, His conquest over Satan brings victory to all. Jesus himself promises this: (quote Jn 14:19 and Jn 11:25–26).
John 14:19 (ESV)
19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.
If you haven’t already, it is my prayer that you all will believe that these words apply to you personally.
You see, Christ’s death and resurrection are not only history, or his story. They are our story as well. This is because in the mind of God every believer shares complete identity with Christ in his death and resurrection. Death no longer has ultimate power over us because we have been raised with Jesus through faith. We are no longer slaves to sin and Satan. The penalty for our sin—the penalty of eternal death—has been paid by Jesus. Let God be praised for it!
May it surely be that our faith clings alone to God’s Word of truth. For when it does it is clear as Walther proclaims in his Easter hymn:
O, where is your sting, death? We fear you no more;
Christ rose, and now open is fair Eden’s door.
For all our transgressions His blood does atone:
Redeemed and forgiven, we now are His own.
What an astonishing surprise indeed! Amen.