The resurrection is a familiar story. Unfortunately, it’s also one we seldom consider carefully. Yes, we can speak about our hope, rooted in the resurrection of Jesus. And we are aware of the victory it represents. Christ conquered death, for his people. But we don’t often ask how the resurrection ought to shape daily life. Perhaps, part of the reason for this is that the only time we preach about the resurrection is on Easter Sunday, or towards the end of a series in 1 Corinthians.
The resurrection is a familiar story. Unfortunately, it’s also one we seldom consider carefully.
Pulpits should sound forth with this truth. We should herald the resurrection, preaching “he is risen!” Not occasionally but throughout the year. For it has implications for all of life. Below I consider two.
Rejoice, for “He is Risen,” and We Will be Too
Firstly, the resurrection proclaims Christ’s victory over Satan, death, and the power of the grave. It is the greatest message of hope, for all who believe in him. We too will enter into that victory, on the last day. For he secured it for us, by dying and rising again. In every way, this gives us a serious sense of joy, hope, and assurance of God’s eternal promises.
“We were therefore buried with him 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. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his” (Romans 6:4-5). These verses emphasise that the resurrection is as much a present reality as it is a future one.
We live daily in this hope, celebrating Christ’s victory on our behalf.
New life begins here and now, though it’s fully realised in paradise. In our baptism, we publicly proclaim that the Lord is risen and we participate in his death and resurrection. We die to sin and are raised with him to eternal life. This doesn’t mean that baptism saves us. It is Christ who saves us. However, in baptism we depict that new life, which comes with the death of Christ. He died so that we who were dead in our sins would live with him, forever.
So we live daily in this hope, celebrating Christ’s victory on our behalf. This is a matter of joy. So preach the resurrection. Move people to rejoice.
Tremble, for He Shall Come Again to Judge
Another neglected aspect of the resurrection is that it proclaims judgment. It’s a clear warning of the fate of the unregenerate, unredeemed, and ungodly. If Christ is risen from the dead, defeating the power of grave, then those who oppose his lordship will perish forever. We cannot take away the sting of this message. When we preach the resurrection we must make this reality plain. Those who die outside of Christ will never live with God. They will only raise to the resurrection of judgment and damnation. Christ was very clear about that.
When we preach the resurrection we must make this reality plain. Those who die outside of Christ will never live again.
Hear some of the final words of scripture: “Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years” (Revelation 20:6; 2:11). Contrast with these: “The angels will come forth and take out the wicked from among the righteous, and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 13:49-50; Revelation 20:14, 21:8).
The resurrection is a warning. It demands a response, here and now. Our life is evidence of what kind of resurrection we will come to, either the resurrection of the righteous or the wicked. That is a terrible thought, intended to strike fear into our hearts. While we must celebrate the resurrection, especially around Easter, we must not fail to preach this implication.
Tremble but Rejoice
The resurrection demands joyful fear. Because of it we know to draw nearer to God, in joyful celebration of what Christ has done for us. Simultaneously, we do so with terrible fear, recalling our fate apart from the resurrection. This is therefore a challenge, to live in light of the resurrection. Let us be terrified by God’s holy and righteous judgments, turning from sin and wickedness. As Paul says: “Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God” (2 Corinthians 7:1).
Tell the resurrection story, often. By it we invite rejoicing and trembling.
The resurrection is a cause for joyful fear, let’s preach it regularly towards that end. Tell the resurrection story, often. By it we invite rejoicing and trembling, making people mindful of both God’s mercy and his holy justice.
