Imagine that moment—the sun is rising on the third day, light breaking through the shadows of despair; Mary Magdalene going to the tomb and finding the stone of the tomb removed from the entrance. Just days before, Christ had been beaten, crucified, and buried. His followers mourned, believing that all hope was lost. But then, something miraculous happened: the grave could not hold Him. He is alive and appeared first to Mary and then to the disciples.
What is described in the gospels wasn’t just an event—it was a revolution, a turning point not only for Jesus’ disciples, but for all humanity. Paul understood the importance of this turning point and the power of resurrection when he wrote to the Corinthians: “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.” (1 Corinthians 15:17-19)
Resurrection has always been the cornerstone of Christianity. Why is the fact of resurrection central to Christianity? The answer to this important question is found throughout the New Testament. This morning, I want to focus on what Paul says in his letter to the Philippians, chapter 3 verse 10 and 11, “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.” (Philippians 3:10,11)
“I want to know Christ. I want to know the power of his resurrection.” This is Paul’s primary desire, this is what Paul wants more than anything else in this life: To know the living, the resurrected Christ, and to know the power associated with his resurrection.
You see, if Christ is not raised from the dead, if his bones are buried somewhere in Palestine, then Paul and us will be not able to know him. That man is dead. We might read about him and what he did; we might respect his memory as a good man, but we cannot know him; if Jesus is not raised from the dead, then he has no power. If he is dead, there is no way he can be seated at the right hand of the Father. His words might have some influence on some people the way other great men do — but he himself would not have power.
This is why resurrection is so central to Christians: Christianity is not a religion based on abstract principles; Christianity is a relationship with a living Savior, a Savior we can know, a Savior we can talk to, a Savior who walks with us, a Savior who empowers us, who transforms us into his likeness, a savior that can hear us and understand us. The great apostle Paul puts together to know Christ and to know the power of his resurrection. Both facts go together. I cannot say I know Jesus if I do not believe in his resurrection, and I cannot say I know the power of His resurrection if I do not know Jesus.The relationship Paul is talking about is not just any relationship. It’s a daily relationship; it’s a relationship in every moment and in every event of our life; it’s not a once a week or once in a while relationship.
The power of His resurrection is the power that take us from death to life, from darkness to light, from the power of sin to the freedom in Jesus. Now, to celebrate resurrection is to celebrate a relationship with the risen Christ; it’s to celebrate being a new creature, this new creature is only possible thru the power of his resurrection. This power and this resurrection are the cornerstone and yeast of God’s kingdom. Remember just on Friday, Jesus was abandoned by most of his followers; people were insulting him, included one who was dying with him; last Friday was a moment when he even felt forsaken and abandoned by God. And now by the power of resurrection he conquered death, he surprised friends and enemies, those who saw him hanging on the cross are now eating and talking with him.
Sisters and brothers, the resurrection of our Lord is the cornerstone of our faith because places Jesus at the center. According to Romans 1:4, resurrection makes Jesus “Son of God in all his power”; the resurrection makes Jesus “Lord and Christ” according to Acts 2:36; Acts 5:31 recognizes Jesus as “Leader and Savior”; Acts 10:42 says about Jesus that he is “Judge and Lord of everyone, alive or dead.” He is, says Acts 26:23 & Revelation 1:5, “the first to rise from the dead” and “Lord of glory”; Paul says in 1 Corinthians 2:8.
According Acts 2:8, the resurrected Jesus has the power to offer to all who believe in him the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The Resurrection of Jesus is the yeast of the kingdom. Right after Mary saw Jesus, she went to share the news with the frighten disciples; right after the disciples saw Jesus alive, they filled Jerusalem and the Roman Empire with the news. No jail, no punishment, no persecution could stop them, not even death could quiet the news of Jesus’ resurrection. The group of followers grew as the dough (dooh) does with the yeast.
Jesus’ resurrection made all followers part of the risen people. If I must describe these risen people with one word, that word must be HOPE. When the risen Christ commissioned his disciples “to go into the world and preach the good news to all creation” as is found in Mark 16:15, this good news is news of hope. Hope that something better is coming; hope in God who became one of us; hope that every promise Jesus did is true. And hope says Paul in Romans 5:5 “does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
The resurrection of our Lord is the force that transforms frighten disciples in brave preachers of the gospel. The risen Christ helps us to see the future based not on today’s reality but based on the promises of Jesus who lives and reigns forever; the risen Christ who in John 16:33 told us “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
The power of his resurrection is active today in God’s people and challenges us to be an Easter Church – that is a church that exists in the world to be a sign, and instrument of resurrection.
As an Easter Church we are challenge to ask ourselves, are we living as Easter people?
The risen Christ commissions us to spread hope. This is not wishful thinking, it must be a force that transforms fear into courage, despair into faith. It is the hope that does not disappoint (Romans 5:5).
So how should we live as an Easter Church?
- As church that serves, rather than seeks to be served.
- As people who resist evil and injustice in every form.
- As instruments of peace, agents of life, bearers of resurrection power.
Christ died and rose to break barriers, build bridges, demolish walls of hostility, and bring life where death once reigned. Let’s not live as if His death was in vain. Let’s live so that others see resurrection power at work in us.
The tomb is empty, Jesus is alive. And because of that—everything has changed.
