March 31, 2024

Sermon Title: The Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Scripture Passages: Luke 24:1~12

Ernest Renan (1823~1892) is a French theologian who wrote the book called, “The Life of Jesus” where he described the resurrection of Jesus this way: the influence of Jesus was 1000 times more powerful when he was risen from dead than he was alive. His resurrection became the corner stone of our faith and for our entire humanity. In this regard, getting rid of the name of Jesus in our history will be deadly. On the contrary, our future of humanity will be bright as long as people follow Jesus and live like him.

That was Renan’s claim and his claim was not farfetched. In AD 40, Christians were only 5000 in numbers. In AD 250, it became 5 millions, 1000 times increased. The parable of the mustard seeds is very real in this sense. A tiny almost unrecognizable seed was planted under the ground and with time and strength it gave life, multiplied. The sign of new life can be found in the seed that was transformed as its shoot came through the surface and bear fruit.  

In 1929, another French theologian, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, (1881~1955) spoke to many world religious leaders in Beijing and said that for Christians, the key message is the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

For the apostle Paul, “For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. 17 If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile, and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have died[c] in Christ have perished. 19 If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.” (1 Corinthians 15: 14-19)

The resurrection of Jesus is real and not a lip service. It was apparent to the followers of Jesus back then and now. Paul captured this real sense of seeing and believing as witness this way, “and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.” (1 Corinthians 15: 5-8)  

As we celebrate the Easter, the risen Christ, today, let us know that the key message, and the foundation of Christianity are found in the resurrection. If each one’s faith is a tree, the root of such faith is the resurrection event. With that strong root, the tree will grow well and bear fruit.

First, resurrection faith helps us to overcome death. “And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who from now on die in the Lord.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them.” (Revelation 14:13)

It is hard to understand how to be blessed when we are dead yet we have faith in God who reigns our whole lives that include our death. That is why Paul said, “If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. (Romans 14: 8-9)

In resurrection faith, it does not matter if we are alive or dead. Paul’s confession in this regard is poignant: For me, “living is Christ and dying is gain…I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better, but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. 25 Since I am convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in faith” (Philippians 1: 21, 23-25) Resurrection faith made Paul free from fear. It helped him behold the vision for the future.

Dear beloved Holy people of Hanshin Church,

The resurrection event of Jesus Christ helped Paul completely rely on God. In the same way, it helps us enter the eternal life of God where death is not the last word. That is why the early Christians were able to hold on to their faith despite the severe persecutions and some had to die. Hence, let us devote ourselves to God and rely on God.

Let us receive the blessing of Jesus who accepts us.

Secondly, resurrection faith makes us renewed.

Peter was the key disciple who watched him preach, heal the sick, and feed the hungry. He witnessed all of that. Yet, he was not sure of his faith in him until he got hold of the resurrection of Jesus. That is how Peter made a confession as following: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead 4 and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.” (1 Peter 1: 3-4)

The Apostle Paul had a similar experience. He met the risen Christ. Acts captures the dramatic encounter this way: “3 Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5 He asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” (9: 3-5).

In the novel of “Crime and Punishment,” written by Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky, the main protagonist who committed the crime went to the police and turned himself in because he learned about Jessus who raised Lazarus from dead.

Dear beloved Holy people of Hanshin Church,

Peter, Paul and Raskolnikov all were changed and became a new person thanks to the resurrection of Jesus.

Thirdly, resurrection faith gives a new mission.

In 1 Peter, we are affirmed “as a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people,[d] in order that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (2:9). As the risen Christ told his disciples: “19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28: 19-20). In Mark’s version, Jesus said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news[d] to the whole creation.” (16: 15)

As the one living with the resurrection faith, let us bear witnesses of Jesus as the risen Christ wherever we are.

Dear beloved Holy people of Hanshin Church,

The resurrection event helped us to be delivered from fear to eternal life. The resurrection faith helped Peter and his disciples as well as us to experience renewal. Finally, resurrection faith is the one who gave us to testify the risen Christ.

Amen and Thanks be to God.

Translated by the Rev. Dr. Prof. HyeRan Kim-Cragg