LOVE IS THE NEW COMMANDMENT (28)/ CHRIST IS RISEN INDEED!

Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh preached a sermon titled ‘Christ is Risen indeed’. Her scriptures were taken from the book of John 20:1-19 and 1Corinthians 15:1-19.

INTRODUCTION

Today, together with the Christians all over the world, we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Most people call this day Easter. Christmas and Easter are the two main holy days Christians celebrate yearly. On Christmas we celebrate the birth of our Lord and at Easter we celebrate His resurrection from the dead. According to the Bible, Jesus was crucified and died on ‘Good Friday’. He was buried in a borrowed tomb. On the third day, which is Sunday, He rose from the dead and we celebrate His victory over sin and death.

Easter is considered the most important and joyful celebration in the Christian calendar. It is a time to reflect on the significance of Jesus’ sacrifice. The resurrection is a central doctrine of Christianity, emphasizing the hope and redemption offered through faith in Christ. The resurrection of Jesus has been called ‘The greatest event or miracle in human history’.  Because of persecution, the Christians in the early church did not celebrate Easter. They continued to partake in the Holy Communion to identify with the death of Jesus Christ. The word ‘Easter’ does not appear in the Bible. It comes from an old German name given to ‘the goddess of springtime’, they believed to be in charge of the season of new beginnings. Initially, Easter was connected with this pagan festival. But from the second century AD, the Christians replaced this festival with the celebration of Christ’ Resurrection. Easter is usually celebrated on the first Sunday after the initial full moon (any Sunday between March 21st to April 25th).

The significance of Easter is Jesus Christ’s triumph over death. His resurrection means that eternal life is granted to all who believe in Him. The purpose of Easter also means the full confirmation of all that Jesus taught and preached during His three-year ministry. If Jesus had simply died and not been resurrected, He would have been just another teacher or prophet. However, His resurrection rebuked all that and provided final proof that He was the Son of God and that He had overcome death once and for all. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of the Christian faith, signifying the fulfillment of God’s plan for redemption and offering believers the promise of eternal life. Easter is a day of great joy and hope, as Christians celebrate the victory of light over darkness, life over death, and the triumph of God’s love for humanity. It is a reminder of the power of faith and the message of hope that resonates throughout the ages.

The power of resurrection manifested even in the Old Testament. These are instances when a dead man came to life again. These are symbols of the Resurrection of our Lord. *Resurrection of the widow’s son in Zarephath thru Elijah’s prayer (1Kg 17:17–24) *Resurrection of the Shunammite’s son thru Elisha’s prayer (2Kg 4:17–37) *Resurrection of the dead man thrown into Elisha’s grave (2Kg 13:20, 21).     

THE BIBLICAL ACCOUNT (Matt 28:1-20; Mk 16:1-18; Lk 24:1-49; Jn 20:1-29).

According to the New Testament accounts, Easter Sunday began with the dawn of a new day, following the sorrowful crucifixion of Jesus on Good Friday. As the sun rose, the women who had followed Jesus, including Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, made their way to the tomb where the body of Jesus had been laid. Upon arrival, they discovered the stone rolled away from the entrance and the tomb was empty. This extraordinary discovery was accompanied by the appearance of angels who proclaimed the astounding news: “He is not here; He has risen, just as He said” (Matt 28:6). Overwhelmed with wonder, the women rushed to share the incredible news with the disciples. Meanwhile, Jesus himself appeared to Mary Magdalene near the tomb, and later to other followers, including two disciples on the road to Emmaus and to the gathered disciples in Jerusalem.

JESUS PROPHESIED HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION 

For the sake of argument, let us assume that Jesus did not rise from the dead. What will that mean? Most men accept the idea that Jesus was a good and godly man, who helped the people. But if He did not rise from that grave, it means that He was a man like any men.  And He died like any man dies. His great dreams to save sinners have died with Him. His greatest promises He gave to men are all connected with His resurrection. It means He cannot be our Savior. Lastly, if Jesus did not resurrect, it means that He was a liar, a deceiver. The following are three examples when Jesus referred to His death and resurrection, but the people did not understand His words.

When Jesus drove away the money changers in the Temple, the Jews confronted Him saying:  “What sign do You show to us, since You do these things?” 19 Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20 Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” 21 But He was speaking of the temple of His body” (Jn 2:18-21). Jesus was telling them about His death and resurrection, but they did not understand. They thought He was speaking about the Temple built by Herod in Jerusalem. If Jesus did not resurrect, then all these words are lies. But His words are true. Jesus indeed died and rose from the grave, as He said it!

Later, the Jews asked Jesus for a sign to prove His authority. “He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (Matt 12:39, 40). Jesus refers to the story of Jonah who was in the stomach of the whale for three days until he repented. Then God commanded the whale to vomit Jonah on dry land, to preach God’s Word to the sinners in Nineveh. Jesus says that He will be in the heart of the earth, dead and buried in a tomb. After three days, the tomb will ‘vomit’ Him out to preach God’s Word. He clearly describes His death and His resurrection.

Jesus said that He is the good Shepherd who is ready to die to protect and save the sheep. He said: “Therefore, My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. 18 No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father” (Jn10:17,18). He claims that He has the power to die and to resurrect from the dead. These promises make no sense if Jesus did not resurrect from the dead. It means that the wolf (the devil) will kill all the sheep and there is no hope for any sinner on earth. But indeed, Christ lived, died, and resurrected to become the first fruit of life from the dead. He is the Author and Finisher of our faith, and our Great High Priest in heaven who intercedes for us even right now.

WHAT IF JESUS CHRIST DID NOT RESURRECT? (1 Cor 15:1-19)

To know the value of an event, sometimes you need to study the opposite. Apostle Paul was a wise teacher. To help us understand the purpose and the value of Christ’ resurrection, he takes us on a journey, to imagine what could have happened if Christ did not raise from the dead.  Simply said, this is the Gospel: Jesus died and rose again for me. The Resurrection of our Lord is vital in the preaching of the Gospel. During the early church (and even today), some people were saying that Jesus did not resurrect. Apostle Paul declares that on the third day after the Cross, Jesus indeed rose from the dead. The resurrection of Jesus was an event that really happened. He is telling us that if Jesus did not rise from the dead, three basic elements of Christianity cannot exist: The preaching of God’s Word, saving Faith, and the Testimony of believers. When Paul wrote these words, it was just a generation after the Cross and the Resurrection. We live more than two thousand years since then. We have even more confidence to declare that the Resurrection of Jesus was a real event because Preaching, Faith in Jesus and the Testimony of the believers have not only survived all persecutions and the passing of time, but the Church is getting stronger all over the world.

1-PREACHING- If Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty. In Greek, the word ‘empty’ means useless, without foundation, in vain, worthless, void, or having no meaning. But after two thousand years, we witness that the preaching of God’s Word is still powerful to change lives, and to inject faith in men’s souls. The world mocks preachers and rejects their sermons. But the preaching still goes on. Preaching produces results. It is not useless. Eventually, some will believe the Gospel. The Holy Spirit touches those who have been predestined to be saved before the foundation of the world. The special grace of God helps them believe the Gospel so that they can be saved. “So, then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom 10:17). “For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1Cor 1:21-25). “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (2Tim 4:1,2).  Therefore, we declare that because the Preaching of the Gospel did not stop in two thousand years, Jesus Christ has resurrected from the dead. Praise the Lord!

2-SAVING FAITH- If Christ is not risen, then our faith in God is also empty or futile. In Greek, the word futile means unreal, having no profit and no effect on anyone. If Christ is not risen, then our faith in Christ is just an imagination, or a man-made idol. It means that not only our faith is spiritually useless, but we are idolaters, worshiping a dead man who is still in the grave. That type of faith will make Jehovah God angry with us. If our faith is useless, it means that we are not saved, we are still living in sin, and we shall go to hell. It means that there is no resurrection for those Christians who are dead and buried. Without faith in Christ, there is no hope for glory, or for heaven. But in these past two thousand years, the Christians have proven that faith in Christ is as strong as life itself. In the early church, they were ready to die than to deny their faith in Christ. Saving faith believes in Resurrection and confesses it. Saving faith is also a proof that Jesus resurrected from the dead. “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Rom 10:9). By faith in Christ alone, sinners got saved having the fruits of the Spirit to prove their conversion. By faith in Christ alone, the sick got healed, and the oppressed got delivered. Faith removes mountains and obstacles in the path of progress as we run the race to the end. Nothing is impossible for those who believe in Jesus. Our faith is enough proof that Christ is risen from the dead. Praise the Lord!

3-THE BELIEVERS’ TESTIMONY – If Christ is not risen then we are of all men most pitiable. In Greek the word ‘pitiable’ means to be miserable, wretched, worse off than all men. Paul says that if the early Christians suffered so much persecution for nothing, being deceived that Christ will lead them to a heaven that does not exist, then they are the most foolish people in the world. They are to be pitied because they are men who choose to suffer in this life with no hope after the grave. But the truth is that the Christians are not miserable. We reject the pity of the world! If we suffer persecution, it is because the world persecuted our Lord too. We know that these present trials do not compare with the glory that will be revealed to us and in us. We are worshipers of Jesus, who died and rose again for us. We sing and dance for Jesus. In fact, the world, because it is sad and confused, is to be pitied, and not us. If you travel all over the world, there is no music as beautiful as the praise and worship coming out from churches. No symphony orchestra can compete with the music in the church. The Church’s gift to the world is the pure celestial music that touches and opens the hearts of men. The testimony of the millions of believers, overcoming obstacles, living this life by the power of the Holy Spirit, dying to sin, and becoming godly people, is true and none can deny. We are not pitiable. We are more than overcomers, thru faith in Jesus! Witnessing this rejoicing army of worshipers is enough proof to know that Christ is risen from the dead! Praise the Lord!

LESSONS AND APPLICATIONS

Let’s say that I am a lawyer in the court. You are the jury. Based on Biblical evidence alone I want to convince you that Christ rose from the dead. I will present four ‘exhibits’: The empty tomb, the clothes of Jesus left behind, Jesus appeared to people, and the total transformation of the disciples.   

THE EMPTY TOMB

The women went early in the morning to finish preparing the body of Jesus, with spices, according to the Jewish method of honoring the dead. The first Christians had no problem in believing that the tomb was empty (Matt 28:1-8). They could see it for themselves. Later, false rumors were circulated that the tomb was not empty. Some said that the women went to a wrong tomb that was empty. But these women have seen where the body of Jesus was laid. Others said that Jesus did not die but fainted and later woke up and met the women. This is a lie. The Roman centurion testified that Jesus was dead after a solider punctured the chest of Jesus and water and blood poured out. The centurion could not have been deceived. Jesus could not have survived for three days and nights in a tomb, wounded and weak, with no water or food. He could not have pushed the stone. Impossible! Pilate sealed the tomb. Peter preached a sermon that Jesus died and rose from the dead. He could not have lied. Some said that the Jewish leaders stole the body of Jesus. Later, when they interrogated Peter, they could have brought the corpse to prove Peter wrong, that Jesus did not resurrect. But none could find any corpse. So, in the end, why is the empty tomb important? Its primary importance is that it points to the bodily resurrection of Jesus, that death could not hold him. And, secondarily, because Jesus has risen, we can look forward to our own resurrection as well. The empty tomb demonstrates that death is not the end of life’s journey. Because of Christ, in life and death, we have a living glorious hope!

THE FOLDED LINEN CLOTHES

“Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; he saw and believed. 9 For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead” (Jn 20:6-9).

What convinced the disciples about the resurrection was not only the empty tomb but that the linen clothes that wrapped the body of Jesus were folded and left in the tomb. They saw the clothes and they believed. The Jews wrap the head of the corpse in a separate cloth. When Jesus resurrected the clothes were left exactly as they were, like an empty cocoon left behind by the butterfly. The folded clothes are another proof that the body could not have been stolen. Why will they steal the body and leave the clothes, folded like that?

THE APPEARANCES OF CHRIST

The resurrected Christ appeared about ten times to different people. He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, to the disciples, to 500 people, and later, to apostle Paul. “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. 6 After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. 7 After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. 8 Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time” (1Cor 15:3-8). To dismiss all these testimonies is not easy for none of them was mentally sick. 

THE TRASNFORMATION OF THE DISCIPLES

This is the best exhibit. The disciples were all mourning the death of their leader. They were all so depressed when Jesus died. After the resurrection they suddenly became joyful and started preaching the Gospel. See Peter on the Day of Pentecost, boldly preaching Jesus crucified and resurrected. Peter was a new man. He was a coward who denied Jesus just few days ago. Now, he is bold as a lion, ready to die for Jesus. The only explanation for this sudden dramatic change is that Peter saw the resurrected Christ with his own eyes. He was convinced beyond any shadow of doubt that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and the Lord of all. He said:  “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know— 23 Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; 24 whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it… 32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses” (Ac 2:22-24, 32). Amen!

Another great example was Saul who became the great Apostle Paul. He persecuted the believers to death. On the road to Damascus, Paul saw not just a vision, but the resurrected Christ Himself. He became blinded and humbled. Christ restored his sight and used him as one of His greatest servants. Read the Book of Romans and see the great revelations Paul has received from Christ. Apostle Paul went on missionary trips, started churches, wrote ¾ of the New Testament letters and died a martyr’s death. No man can change so dramatically by himself. It was the resurrection power of Christ! The life of Apostle Paul is one of the greatest proofs of resurrection!  

If you deny the Resurrection, Christianity makes no sense. Some say that the disciples invented the story of the resurrection. But that is not true. When Jesus was crucified, we are told that “all of His disciples abandoned Him and fled” (Mk 14:50; AMP). Judas betrayed Him and Peter denied Him. After Jesus died and was buried, all the disciples were mourning and were very sad. None remembered His promises about the resurrection. When Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene, His disciples were all shocked. They did not believe her. No one was praying to see Him alive again. None believed in His resurrection. None had the power to invent such a story. This is another proof that the disciples did not invent the story of resurrection just to convince people that their leader is not a liar but true to His words.

If Jesus did not resurrect then the Church cannot exist. The truth is that Jesus died, was buried, rose from the dead and ascended to heaven. He promised to send the Holy Spirit who came on the day of Pentecost and Baptized all believers into one New Body called the Church, or the Body of Christ. The Church has survived many persecutions. Christ is the Head of the Church, its Builder, and Defender. Jesus promised that the Church will be indestructible. He said: “on this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades (death) will not overpower it [by preventing the resurrection of the Christ]” (Matt 16:18; AMP). The Church is marching on, and no power of hell can stop its growth and progress. Most Christians acknowledge the Sabbath Day on Sundays, to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ. Since Pentecost, millions of people have believed unto salvation, and have become members of the Body of Christ. The testimonies are too many to ignore. From one generation to another, thanksgiving rises to heaven, to the Lamb who died for the sins of men, and lives forever.

The high priest and the Pharisees warned Peter and the disciples not to preach again in the name of Jesus. But they could not stop the power of resurrection moving and building the Church. Before the religious council, Peter boldly spoke: “The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. 31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him” (Ac 5:30-32). When Peter declared that “we are witnesses to these things” he did not just say that they have seen something. He was saying that the believers are the witnesses, the proofs, and credentials of Jesus on earth. For as long as you see the born-again Spirit filled Christians, you must accept that Jesus rose from the dead and He is working in them and thru them.

After Peter and John healed the lame man at the Beautiful gate, he said: “But you denied the Holy One and the Just and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses. 16 And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all” (Ac 3:14-16). It is faith in the resurrected Christ that healed the lame man and heals us from all diseases. Without resurrection there is no salvation and no healing. Peter and John were arrested by the Jews because they preached the resurrection of Jesus as the basis of faith for salvation and healing (Ac 4:1-4). Here you see clearly that faith in the resurrected Christ divides the people. Some believe and are saved. Other reject it and are condemned. “And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: 9 If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, 10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. 11 This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” 13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:7-13). Peter’s faith in the Resurrection of Jesus made him supernaturally bold. The Jews tried but could not deny the healing miracle and could not stop the powerful anointing upon Peter. There is no other explanation why some people get saved, get healed, boldly preach the Gospel, and love Jesus today except for the fact that Jesus died and rose again for them. Glory!

Apostle Paul is before King Agrippa and witnesses to Him about Jesus. He tells the King that the Old Testament prophesied about the death and resurrection of the Messiah. “Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead?” (Ac 26:8).

FROM LOVE TO FAITH (Jn 20:1-19)

The Resurrection of Jesus was not a dramatic event like His birth, announced with songs, trumpets, and angels. It was a quiet, family intimate event done in the presence and power of God the Father and God the Son. Human eyes were not allowed to see it. “Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father” (Rom 6:4). After the resurrection, Jesus appeared to different people. In the past, He was seen by crowds, both friends and enemies. But now, He always choses the people personally, the place and the timing of His appearances.

Mary Magdalene is a special person in the story. She was the first person to see the resurrected Christ. She found the empty tomb. She ran to tell the disciples. They did not believe her initially, but later, seeing the quiet evidence of the empty tomb and the folded clothes, they finally believed that Jesus resurrected bodily. Because she was the first to see Christ and told the disciples, Mary Magdalene is called ‘Apostolus Apostolarum’ (translated The Apostle to the Apostles). She loved Jesus more than the others. See how Love leads to Faith. When after seeing the empty tomb Peter and John went home, she lingered behind. She saw two angels in the grave. Jesus was crucified between two robbers. Now, two angels are sitting in the tomb were His body laid. Mary wept so much that when she saw Jesus, she thought He was the Gardner. She begged Him to let her carry the body of her Savior. To her, that is the last work of love and honor to her Lord. Then the ‘Gardner’ called her by name: Mary! The voice had the tenderness and the authority of resurrection. She then turned towards Him. She saw Jesus. This is the turning of Faith. From sight to faith. She called Him ‘Rabboni’, My teacher. She tried to cling to Him. She wanted to go back to the past, as Jesus was on the earth. But Jesus forbids her to cling to Him. He changes the clinging into ministry. He sends her to ‘His brethren’ to tell them the good news that He has conquered sin and death on their behalf. This is the first time that Jesus calls them ‘brethren’. The word ‘brethren’ comes with resurrection power. Halleluiah!      

By His resurrection Jesus did not only break the grave, and death, but all earthly limitations, and weakness, on our behalf. May we never lose our wonder to worship Jesus Christ, who died and rose again for us! Worship the Lord!  

FINALLY…

Finally, what is your verdict? You have heard the evidence. Did Jesus Christ rise from the death or not? If you are not saved, give your life to Jesus because you will meet Him one day, as the Lord of the Living and the Dead, and the Judge of all. If you are saved, then you are in Him. You are eternally safe. Rejoice! Christ’s sacrifice is all that we need to have eternal life. When Christ died, we died with Him. When Christ rose, we rose with Him, spiritually. One day, we shall rise from the graves. Our bodies shall be changed and become like His own. We shall be with Him, we shall be like Him, and we will worship Him forever. This is our hope of glory! Worship the Lord!

‘He arose, He arose,

Halleluiah, Christ arose!

He proved to be my victory!

There rose a Lamb in Jerusalem!’

(Kyla Rowland)