Today, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. A momentous event in history where death was defeated by the death of Christ on the cross and his resurrection on the third day. This resurrection is more than a good story. It is more than a spiritual truth. It was and is a reality that affects and influences us and this world to this day. Let’s look at Luke 24:1-12.
Jesus’ resurrection marks a point in history, a turning point on which all of heaven and earth turn. This event marks more than the promise for the future, a salvation that we will all experience for eternity. It points to our present reality and the strength we have to live in this world.
In Jesus’ day, a movement of faith made its way into the Greek culture drawn from the Christian tradition called Gnosticism. There were different groups of Gnostics, but the bottom line was that the flesh is evil, the spirit is pure. The physical world is bad, the spirit is good. Our form of Christianity today has inherited some of this perspective. We hold on to a view that the physical world is bad, and because of that we will one day leave this earth, so in the interim, we just have to survive long enough to make it to the finish line. But, the New Testament has a different perspective on life after Jesus’ resurrection. Let’s take a look at a few of the lessons we learn in the New Testament.
- Acts 1:6-8. After Jesus’ resurrection, he spent forty days with his disciples and others, teaching about the Kingdom. On this particular day, Jesus was giving his last words to his disciples. The disciples asked if now Jesus would restore the kingdom to Israel. Rather, Jesus said, “…you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Jesus’ resurrection and ascension has made a way for the Spirit to empower us to be witnesses in this world. This is reminiscent of Jesus lesson in Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus tells his disciples, and you and me, that we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. As citizens of the Kingdom of God, we are empowered by the Spirit to be lights and salt in this world. As lights, we shed light, not on sin and depravation, but on the works and life of Jesus. As the light of the world, God called his people, the Jewish nation, to shine the light on what it looks like to be a different, a called, a special people. As witnesses, as lights, as salt in this world, we shine the light on Jesus, we flavor this world with the love of Jesus.
- Romans 8:31-39. In Romans 8, Paul teaches his readers about the new creation we are promised by the first fruit of Jesus’ resurrection. In this passage, Paul informs his readers, and us, that we are more than conquerers through Jesus’ death and resurrection. The image of conquerer is that of a Roman soldier. However, we are more than that, we are super conquerers. Life has a way of throwing pain, difficulties, and frustration our way. Paul reminds us here we are super conquerers through it all. Neither Paul nor Jesus asks, nor requires that we leave this world. Rather, that we, in this world. would be conquerers, not of this world, nor the people of this world, but of the principalities and powers of this world, which we will look at next.
- Ephesians 6:10-17. Throughout Ephesians, Paul has been providing for the Ephesians, and for us, the importance of living lives honoring God and honoring one another. For Paul, the bottom line is that the fight that we have is not against humanity, but against authorities, rulers, and powers of the dark world. As members of the Kingdom of God, it is a natural inclination to stand in opposition to those in darkness. After all, they are the ones committing the acts of darkness in this world. However, Paul reminds us, it is not against flesh and blood that we find ourselves in opposition. Rather, we stand against the powers and authorities behind the darkness in this world. So, we stand firm as soldiers, we stand firm as conquerers in this world not warring against flesh and blood, but the darkness of this world. The resurrection of Christ has empowered and transformed you and me to live lives of victory in this world.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12. Jesus’ life and death was marked by service and love. Jesus’ resurrection is the exclamation mark on being servants in this world. In this passage, Paul addresses the Thessalonians about being quiet and servants in this world. As members of the Kingdom of God, citizens who owe allegiance to the King of Kings, we live our lives not in arrogance, grand standing, or seeking the spot light. Rather, we lead quiet lives, in the background, reflecting the glory of Jesus not to ourselves but into this world. We shine this reflection in humility and service to a world that desperately needs to know Jesus and his Kingship.
- Titus 2:11-14. The death and resurrection of Jesus provides you and me with power to live in a dark and lifeless world. Paul instructs Titus, bishop of Crete, that through the death and resurrection of Jesus, we are empowered to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled lives. Can we live self-controlled lives without Jesus and his Spirit? Yes. There are any number of self-help books that remind us of that. But, the very nature of self-help books is that help comes not from Jesus, but from ourselves. As we humble ourselves before Jesus our savior, who died and rose again for you and me, and we live controlled and obedient lives, we point not to ourselves, or to others, but to Jesus. We become, as stated previously, mirrors reflecting Christ and his empowerment into the world, and reflecting back to him our praise.
There is an interesting relationship Paul references occasionally in his letters that reflected his culture. That relationship was the benefactor and client relationship. Essentially, in Paul’s day, and even today in certain parts of the world, certain people who are not wealthy nor have their own readily available resources, require the aid of a benefactor to simply live and contribute in their world. The client would seek out a wealthy benefactor and essentially say, “I will provide you with such and such if you provide me with the means and resources to operate my business.” The benefactor would agree and the client would publicly thank the benefactor for his generosity and grace. God, through Jesus’ death and resurrection, has become our benefactor. We do not have the means nor the resources to earn our way to life after death. So, Jesus’ death and resurrection has provided us with the power and the grace gifts we need to be lights in this dark world, victorious super conquerors, and self-controlled servants who reflect our praise and worship of God into this dark world and back to your savior, Jesus Christ.
Today, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus that has brought about this empowerment to live as light and salt in a world that is desperate for sight and flavor. We live our lives as recipients of our benefactors good gifts, declaring to this world and to Jesus our love and praise for the means and resources to live in this world. This morning, let us give thanks to God through Jesus Christ, who has given us these great gifts as we live our lives declaring the goodness of our God.
X Marks the Spot 