What's the big deal about the resurrection?

The Most Important Question in the World

Someone asked Professor Joad - a former professor of Philosophy at the London University - “If you could meet any person of the past and ask just one question, whom would you meet at what would you ask?” Professor Joad - a non-Christian at the time - said “I would meet Jesus Christ and ask him the most important question in the world - ‘Did you or did you not rise from the dead?’” Val Grieve addresses this question in his book Your Verdict on the Empty Tomb. He goes on in his book to take a lawyer’s perspective on the empty tomb.

For Christians, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the central element to our faith. Without the resurrection, Jesus is just a good teacher like the Buddha, Mohammad, or Ghandi.

There is a lot of ground we could cover here, but given the time that we have, I want to lay out a couple of premises.

First, Jesus really died. On Friday we considered the Crucifixion and death of Jesus. Jesus was crucified because he was betrayed, wrongfully accused, and illegally tried.

But beyond that, His death had some larger, spiritual ramifications. In his death, he paid for the price of our sin - “for the wages of sin is death.” Rom. 6:23. He replaced his perfect life for our sinful lives and paid for the debt we owe.

So he really died.

But, as it pertains to Easter and why we are celebrating today, the second premise I want to present to you is...

Jesus really rose from the dead!

He was all dead - not mostly dead as Miracle Max might say from the Princess Bride.

The Roman Soldiers were really good at making people dead. They had perfected tortuous means of killing people - criminals, enemies, and even Jesus.

After he died, he was laid in a tomb - Friday night, Saturday, Saturday night, Sunday.

Luke 24:1–8 ESV

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” And they remembered his words,

So Luke, a man who was not an eye-witness to the resurrection, interviewed multiple people several years after the resurrection and wrote those words.

Later, the Apostle Paul wrote another letter to the church in Corinth...

1 Corinthians 15:3–8 ESV

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.

So Paul is laying out a claim that Jesus rose from the grave and there are over five hundred people who were alive at the time he wrote that (roughly 20 years after the resurrection) who could verify that.

I realize for some, this claim of the resurrection is a big claim - and it is. There may be all sorts of questions that you have about it - some that we could address in this setting, but some that would be better address in conversation, with Scripture or in reflecting on the writings of people who are a lot smarter than I am - The Case for Christ, Mere Christianity, Your Verdict on the Empty Tomb - we have some copies of those books in the Book Nook - feel free to take one.

Beyond simply wrestling with the reality of Jesus resurrection, let’s spend the rest of our time beginning to consider the ramifications of the resurrection...

What does His resurrection mean for us?

For those who have put their faith and hope in Jesus Christ - in His resurrection - in his victory over the consequences of our sin, then we have so much.

Val Grieves highlights five significant ramifications of the resurrection.

It shows that Jesus is God - The bible records several resurrections - or several times when people were brought back to life. Eventually, they all died again - for good. But Jesus, rose from the dead - of his own accord, because he is God, and is still alive - in heaven.

It means he is judge - because Jesus has conquered death and made a means of salvation for all, there will come a day when he will judge. Related to that...

It means forgiveness is available - It is our sin that condemns us. It is Jesus life, death and resurrection that offers forgiveness - if we would accept it.

It gives meaning to life - because of the resurrection and the hope that we have, we get to spend our lives for eternal means - sharing the good news, sharing with people the hope that we have, living for more than getting more toys. But lastly, Grieves notes...

It gives hope in the face of death - this is the one that I’d like to focus on today.

Peter describes part of what we have in this way:

1 Peter 1:3–5 ESV

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Let’s think through these briefly.

First of all,

We have a living hope (3)

Because Jesus rose from the dead, we get to live in the joyful anticipation that eternal life awaits. Now this is not some philosophical perspective that if we do good things or exhibit the teaching of Jesus that our legacy will live on. No, this is a living hope that life is more than just here and now.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 “... he has put eternity into man’s heart,...” There is something in all of us that seems to wonder what will happen after we die. Will we return again? Are we simply dead? Is there life in “The Good Place” for us? Have I been good enough to stay out of hell or “The Bad Place?”

Because eternity is in our hearts, we innately know there is more.

Because Jesus rose of from the grave and is alive, we have a living hope in him that there is eternal life.

John Calvin writes:

Commentaries on the Catholic Epistles Chapter 1

Lively or living hope, means the hope of life. At the same time there seems to be an implied contrast between the hope fixed on the incorruptible kingdom of God, and the fading and transient hopes of man.

This living hope has staying power because it’s established in God.

Before we go on, let me give us a little context to this letter of Scripture. Peter was writing to Jewish background believers who were spread out across the Roman empire in what is known as the diaspora or dispersion. These believers were facing persecution in their new lands. Like so many of us, they could place their hope in systems and structures - in political figures. They could hope that a change in political leaders would make a change in their lives.

But - like us - those hopes are short lived. That next political leader is sure to let us down. That next teacher that you’ve been looking forward to might decide to retire or move. That team you’ve been hoping to make might carry with it extra practices and sacrifices that cause other problems in life.

Because Christ has been raised from the dead - our hope for eternal life is alive! Our hope is not dependent on circumstances here and now.

But not only do we have a living hope, Peter tells us that...

We have an inheritance… (4)

Of course, an inheritance is typically considered the leftovers of what someone hasn’t used in their life. I’ve seen bumper stickers on big RVs that that say “We’re spending our children’s inheritance.”

Now, as it relates to this passage, we are not talking about the inheritance that is waiting for you when your parents or grandparents pass from this life, Peter is talking about an inheritance that you will receive when YOU depart from this life - or when Jesus returns.

So rather than being leftovers, your inheritance in Christ is fully funded for eternity because Jesus rose from the grave.

Not only is this inheritance fully, even eternally funded, it won’t fade with inflation or fluctuation in the stock markets.

But let’s think about this in a different way.

Have you ever left something out side for a while? Maybe it was bicycle or a toy or even your patio furniture. What happens if you leave things out side for a while?

they can get broken (last year the glass in our patio table shattered for no apparent reason). If you were to leave your bicycle outside it would eventually stop working - the chain will rust.

they will get dirty - as the rain, snow, wind, pollen, dust and other things land on our stuff that has been left outside, it will get dirty and messed up. finally,

they will decay - rust will set in, bugs might eat wooden or cloth things,

If left on their own, things will get messed up.

But Peter tells us that we have an inheritance...

…that cannot be destroyed

Some things in this life can simply be destroyed. Money can be stolen. Cars can be totaled. Toys can be stepped on - or chewed up by your dog, or lost.

But our eternal inheritance cannot be destroyed - it is imperishable. There is nothing that Satan, or world conflicts, or even that bully at school can do to destroy your eternal inheritance.

But not only will it not be destroyed, but this is an inheritance...

... that cannot be defiled

There is no stain of sin messing up this perfect, eternal inheritance. Jesus took our sin on himself so that we could be made right with God.

2 Cor. 5:21 “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

When we enter into eternity, it is by Christ’s righteousness not ours. That doesn’t mean we should live however we want, but it does mean no matter how far short we fall, we are sealed.

When I was a kid, I used to love getting those books and toys that had the red plastic decoder. You would look at a certain piece of paper and see only unintelligible marks, but when you put the red plastic over the paper - you could see a secret message.

Part of the reason why our inheritance cannot be defiled is because of the blood of Jesus. It’s as though the paper of my life says

“sinner,”

“unworthy,”

“defiled by sin” -

but because I have trusted in Jesus as my savior, the red blood of his sacrifice gets overlaid on my life - and the not-so-secret message reads

“redeemed”,

“made righteous in Jesus”,

“holy because of Jesus”,

“child of God.”

Gal. 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

If we have trusted in Jesus - in his life, death, resurrection - then we have an inheritance that cannot be destroyed or defiled, and...

… that cannot decay

Financial inheritances can be eroded or eaten away by inflation or spending - toys left outside can be eaten away by the elements - but our inheritance of eternal life is will not fade, it will not diminish - it is eternal.

But not only that, Peter tells us that we have an inheritance...

… that is safe.

“Kept in heaven for you.”

There are a couple ways that this word “kept” can be translated.

Guarded or Kept Safe

One carries with this the idea of being guarded - or kept safe.

In the Harry Potter books and movies, they say that Gringott’s bank was the best place to store your wealth. They had massive vaults, magical security measures, and identity verification - but even with all of that - some things were stolen.

Unlike Gringott’s or any of our banks - our inheritance is kept safe in heaven. There is no way for people to use magical powers or devious schemes to break in to what is kept in heaven for you.

But that word can also be translated a….

Reserved

That inheritance has your name on it. If you’ve trusted Christ as your Savior - your name is there, your place is waiting for you. There is a place for Jim, Anabel, Matt, Pete, Jackie, Francis, Michael, Gabriel, Grace, Jordan, Zech, Rachel, Chris, Ned, Peggy, Brian, Zoe, Kate, Lauren, Ethan, Dan, Michelle.

I could go on and name person after person in this room who’s names I believe are written there. But ultimately, it’s not up to me - it’s up to Christ. Have you responded to his call for salvation? Is a place reserved for you?

So Peter says...

1 Peter 1:3-4 “...he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,”

All of this Christ has purchased by his resurrection - by his atoning sacrifice. We’ve not earned it.

But there is one final thing that is important for us to recognize as a result of the resurrection. That is...

We are secure! (5)

Look at what it says in verse 5:

1 Peter 1:5 “who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

Who’s power is guarding us? God’s!

It’s not your pastor or elders - though we have a role to play in teaching and caring for you here.

It’s not your parents - though they too have a role to play here - to teach and train and lead..

It’s not your Sunday School teachers - as cool as they are - but again - they have a role to play.

It’s also not your feelings! Feelings can be so fickle - but thankfully, our salvation is not dependent on our feelings - but on Jesus finished work.

We are secure, guarded by God’s power. That word guarded also could also be translated “garrisoned” as in a military garrison.

We don’t have to fear someone taking away our spiritual life. Once we’ve received this salvation, we are sealed, secure - we’re simply waiting for the realization of that salvation in eternity.

Closing Thoughts

Beloved, I hope that you are encouraged by some of what Jesus’ resurrection means for you.

I realize I have mentioned Val Grieve’s book a few times. It is an excellent read. If you’re not yet a follower of Christ or if you know someone who would benefit from a lawyer’s perspective on the resurrection, then let me encourage you to pick that up in the foyer.

In his book, he tells the story of a man named George Wilson who robbed a mail truck and then killed the driver. He was convicted and sentenced to death. Shortly before the time of his execution, the President pardoned him - setting him free. Mr. Wilson refused the pardon. He wanted, instead, to die. There was a big legal battle over this that eventually went to the supreme court. The court determined that Mr. Wilson did not have to receive the free gift of the pardon.

Friend, if you are not yet a follower of Christ, let me encourage you to do your homework. Consider all that Jesus did. Consider the full ramifications of his life, death, and resurrection. Consider the evidence. All the while, we’ll be praying that God will give you faith to believe and entrust your life to his, but we cannot force you to believe. The resurrection is a big deal. I believe the evidence would stand up in a court of law. Will you receive it?

If you’re ready, you can simply say a prayer like this:

Jesus, I know that the I’m a sinner. I know that my sin prevents me from having eternal life and from receiving this living hope and inheritance that we’ve talked about. But I also know that you died on the cross for my sins. Thank you. Please forgive me of my sins. I joyfully receive your free gift and salvation, I receive the pardon you purchased for me on the cross and proved in the resurrection. Help me as I grow in my belief.

Now, a prayer like that doesn’t save you - ultimately it is Jesus who does - a prayer like that is simply a marker for you to acknowledge - “now I believe.”

Let’s pray.

Benediction:

1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Sources

Calvin, John, and John Owen. Commentaries on the Catholic Epistles. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2010.

Grieve, Val. Your Verdict on the Empty Tomb. Darlington, Co Durham: Evangelical Press, 2017.

Raymer, Roger M. “1 Peter.” In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, edited by J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.

Schreiner, Thomas R. 1, 2 Peter, Jude. Vol. 37. The New American Commentary. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2003.