Many Christians have failed to grasp that the resurrection is the polar star for the Christian faith and message. Without the resurrection, Christianity is empty. The Christian message is summarized in the “gospel”, literally, good news. Paul claims that in preaching the gospel, he was sharing “first things” — the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). “First things” is often translated as “most important things.” Paul claims that gospel message saves us, must be constantly remembered, and must be shared. There are at least 91 New Testament occurrences of the word gospel. There are many more references to events of the passion week — the suffering, crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. A casual reading of the early chapters of Acts suggests that the fundamental message preached by the early church was the gospel. The gospel message of fulfillment, promise, and power was communicated and confirmed by Old Testament prophecy and the presence and activity of the Holy Spirit.
Paul describes initiation into the Christian faith as participation in the gospel of Jesus (Romans 6:1-6), baptism (burial) into the death of Jesus so that participation in his resurrection is assured. I am thrilled today that many will celebrate the importance of the resurrection of Jesus as the crowning truth of the gospel. Indeed, Paul affirms that without the resurrection, little remains but misery and a pitiful existence (1 Corinthians 15:12-19). However, merely celebrating the resurrection of Jesus is not God’s ultimate goal for human creation. Personal participation in the resurrection is God’s intent. Participation in the resurrection as Paul describes it in Romans 6 has two possible applications. First, you and I experience new life in Christ as we are baptized and the “old man” of sin is destroyed so that a new person comes forth. This may be also what Paul means in the phrase, washing of regeneration (Titus 3:5). Participating in Jesus’ resurrection is shown by “resurrection living.” Second, our participation in the ultimate resurrection at the end of time hinges on our participation in the death and burial of Jesus in the initiation of immersion.
Today, I am glad for the desire of many to celebrate the resurrection.
Let us continually celebrate the good news of Jesus, the gospel, which is the story of his love demonstrated at the cross — summarized in his death, burial and resurrection.
Our baptism into Christ is evidence of our participation in the gospel and marks his presence in us and ours in him.
Changed lives are the result, and are thus evidence, that we are participants in the gospel.
Hope for participation in resurrection to the presence of Jesus begins in our participation in the gospel.
Today, may the message of Resurrection lead you to faith, obedience, newness, and hope. Since Christians are those who are like Christ, the connection between the experience of Jesus (the gospel) and our own experience as we imitate him in death, burial, and resurrection must not be overlooked.