4.5.15
Easter Sunday 2015
There is much debate over the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. I am not about to enter into that arena. That is not the purpose of this entry. Instead, I begin with a clear belief that Jesus was nailed to a cross, stayed there until he died a physical death, was buried in a tomb, and on the morning of the third day he came alive again!
In Matthew we read that there were a group a ladies who had gone to the tomb to anoint the body with proper burial rituals. When they arrived, they were greeted by an angel who told them "I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said." (Matthew 28:5,6)
"He Is Risen", no greater words were spoken. Most Americans can remember the words of Neil Armstrong when he took the first lunar steps of any human being. They are memorable because they marked a significant change in mankind's history. So do the words uttered by this angelic messenger! Many men had been leaders of belief groups. Many had died martyred for their beliefs. We can visit the graves of these men and women around the world.
But Jesus was different.
His death is recorded and confirmed by the separated blood and water which flowed from his wound on the cross. The fact that the Romans and Jewish Pharisees posted guards at his tomb confirms for us that he laid in a tomb. The significant difference about the death and burial of Jesus was that he did not stay dead! He came alive again with new life!
Wow! That's great for Jesus, but how does that affect me? In Jesus' call to follow him, he invites us to follow him in his resurrection and new life! Paul describes it in Romans 6:3&4: "We were therefore buried with him [Jesus] through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."
Extreme makeover shows are a huge hit on television these past few years. Watching people change their clothes, hair, even bodies through exercise or surgery, has become a national fascination. But even new clothes wear out or go out of style. New bodies can be returned to their plumpish nature given enough time and lack of discipline. Jesus is offering something completely different. He is transforming the inside!
There are three things I believe we should know about this new life Jesus is offering:
1. We are free from sin (Romans 6:5-7).
Paul tells us that if we join Christ in his death through baptism, we are free from sin since anyone who has died is free from the power of sin over them. This is a major component for the ministry of Jesus. In Luke chapter 4 we read about Jesus speaking at the local synagogue when asked to read from scripture. He reads Isaiah 61:1 - "The LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners." Jesus declares to those listening, and to us, that he was here on earth to fulfill this prophesy. When he sits down after reading, he states as much when he tells the audience "Today these words are fulfilled." He came to set us free - free from sin.
2. We no longer have to fear death (Romans 6:8-9).
Paul explains to us that by dying with Christ and sharing in his new life death has no mastery over us. It is no longer the boogey man beneath the bed. No longer the thing we should fear. Jesus has conquered death and we are free from its dominion over us. This new freedom and release from fear should bring a huge relief to those who are followers of Jesus! The worst thing in life is the end of it, and if that is no longer a fearful thing, we should live in constant joy!
3. This new life is eternal (Romans 6:23).
"The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our LORD." Paul is telling us that we have wages due us for our hard work in sin: death. Separation from God for all eternity. BUT, and this is a huge deal, the gift (meaning we did not earn or deserve it) of God is to share in the eternal life of Jesus. Some translations have the word everlasting in place of eternal. This is not accurate. Everyone has everlasting life. Our soul, once joined with the body and birthed will last forever. That is everlasting. Long after our body and soul are separated, the soul lives on.
Jesus offers eternal life. Eternal life means it has no beginning or end. Only God has such a life. Jesus, as part of the Triune God, has that life and shares it with us. The difference? All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and all souls will be everlasting; but Jesus allows us to have his life record, which means we are seen by God the Father as never falling short or never having sinned. We are seen through the filter of Jesus' eternal life.
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