Just the Facts!

Note: This is the third and final installment of a three part series submitted and published in Huntington Beach's local paper, The Wave. Part one was primarily an existential argument diagnosing and treating our need for Jesus' resurrection. Part two outlined (in bare-bones fashion) the historical argument for Christianity. Part three narrows the focus directly on the resurrection, using what Gary Habermas calls "the bare minimum facts" approach. You can learn more about the details of his argument (among other things related to apologetics) at www.garyhabermas.com and in his excellent book, "The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus," co-authored by Michael Licona. Lastly, bare in mind that this article was confined to 425 words for the column's space limitations.

Is Christianity just pretend for adults, like believing in the tooth fairy or a flying spaghetti monster? Many say, “Yes.” However, Christianity appeals to facts and historical evidence to support its central claim. Namely, Jesus was crucified; then seen alive again three days later. Not a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, but in real history. To quote Dan Akyroyd in Dragnet, “All we want is the facts, ma’am.”

Every credible historical account begins with facts. Facts are like bricks. Constructing a building requires a solid foundation. Similarly, demonstrating that Jesus’ resurrection really happened requires facts. So, what bricks support Christianity’s claim that Jesus rose from the dead? The following six facts include 1) well established evidence regarding their veracity and 2) acceptance by a wide range of scholars, including those skeptical of Christianity’s claim.

1. Jesus died by Roman crucifixion.

2. The disciples claimed to experience actual appearances of the risen Jesus.

3. The disciples’ proclamation of the resurrection dates within three years of Jesus’ death.

4. Two people, Paul and James, who didn’t believe in Jesus during his ministry, were later convinced Jesus rose from the dead.

5. Neither Jewish nor Roman authorities opposed to Christianity produced a corpse, despite their counterclaims (i.e. the disciples stole the body). Every alternative theory failing to include these six basic facts is poor scholarship, disingenuous, or both.

6. The disciples were utterly transformed by their conviction that they had seen the risen Jesus, and were willing to die for this belief. Moreover, tens of thousands of Jews, including priests and Pharisees, converted, undermining Christianity’s opposition.[1]

What theory takes all this evidence into account? Only one, Jesus rose. When the plaintiff and defendant in court agree, this yields the strongest evidence. That both Christian and non-Christian scholars agree on these points, lends trustworthiness to the claim. Moreover, these facts derive from a wide range of eyewitnesses, both hostile and supportive, further increasing credibility. Finally, these facts appeal to common ground, building an argument solely on data that is known and generally accepted by scholars in this field.

Because these facts can be known they can also be investigated, trusted, and believed. Since Jesus rose, his promise to rescue you from death is also trustworthy. No fantasy here, just the facts, ma'am, or sir.

 

 

[1] These six facts are adapted from Gary Habermas’essay, The Core Resurrection Data: The Minimal Facts Approach, found in Tough-Minded Christianity: Honoring the
Legacy of John Warwick Montgomery, ed. William A Dembski and Thomas
Schirrmacher. B & H Publishing Group: Nashville, 2008, p. 387-405.

Sermon for Easter 2: "Jesus' Word and Wounds Bring You Peace"

+ 2^nd Sunday of Easter – April 7^th, 2013 +

Redeemer Lutheran, HB
Series C: Acts 5:12-20; Rev. 1:4-18; John 20:19-31

 

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; ³¹ but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

John’s words may sound like the conclusion of the Gospel. But John’s not just a closing pitcher. He goes the full nine innings. John ends his gospel the way it begins. Take a listen:

⁹ The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. ¹⁰ He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. ¹¹ He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. ¹² But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, ¹³ who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

So John’s the closer and the opener. But his words are also the constant, echoing refrain throughout the gospel – the steady fastball that delivers strikeout after strikeout. Why are John’s words so important?

Because in reality these aren’t really John’s words. To be sure, he wrote them. But John’s a lot like pastors today – he’s a messenger, a mouthpiece, a megaphone for repentance and the forgiveness of sins. Notice he doesn’t have much to say about himself. In fact he’s so concerned about not making the gospel about himself that he simply refers to himself as, “the disciple whom Jesus loved,” or the” other disciple.” John must decrease. Jesus Crucified and Risen must increase.

In a few sentences John not only summarizes Easter and Holy Week, but also every sign, word, and teaching of Jesus. All to deliver Jesus Crucified and Risen for your salvation right into your ears.  

For “Faith comes by hearing”(Romans 10:17).  That’s why the church and her ministry aren’t about what’s pleasing to the eyes, catchy or entertaining before men. The eyes of faith are your ears. So ignore the flashy, neon-sign Christianity and look to the one sign – the true light - that really matters and saves you: Jesus’ Crucified for you. Jesus risen from the dead for you.

These words are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Jesus’ Word brings you peace.
Peace. Shalom in the Hebrew. It means fullness, wholeness. A perfect, complete, all-is-well kind of peace. That’s what the Lord had intended the Sabbath day to be like before the Fall, before rebellion, sin, and death. Jesus’ death on the cross has restored peace between your Creator and you, His creature. Peace between the Father and you, His wayward children. In Christ, are reconciled to God.

On that first Easter night, the disciples needed Jesus’ word of peace. After His death some denied, others ran, but they all hid. Even after hearing the women’s eyewitness report: “He’s risen!” Even after seeing the empty tomb. They were still afraid. Locked behind closed doors. Disbelieving. It wasn’t just Thomas. It was all of them.

Sin does the same thing to you and me as it did to the disciples. We want to run and conceal our guilt like Adam and Eve foolishly hiding in the fig bushes. Sin causes us to fear, love and trust in ourselves. Sin locks us in prison.

“Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.”

Jesus breaks into their little prison house of fear, newly risen from the dead. “Peace be with you,” He declares. His words give what they say: Peace. With His words come the visible sign – His hands and His feet, pierced by the nails. This is the very same Jesus who hung dead on the cross. He has the marks to prove it.

And just as the locked doors of the upper room were no obstacle to the crucified and risen Lord, so too the locked rooms of our sinful lives are no match for Jesus’ death and resurrection. Jesus breaks into your prison, bursts the bars of death from the inside, finds you, rescues you and speaks to you: Peace be with you.

Jesus Words and his wounds bring you peace.

That sin you tried so hard to cover is buried in the wounds of Jesus. That guilt you tried so hard to remove is washed away in the blood of the Lamb. That death that stares you in the face has been died for by Jesus. That unbelief that nags and gnaws at you and never seems to leave, is blown away by a simple, yet life-giving, Word, Jesus’ Word: peace be with you. Jesus’ Word and wounds bring you peace.

Why then does He show them the wounds if he’s risen? Isn’t that Good Friday stuff? Because the cross is always at the center of the Christian faith, even at Easter. Especially at Easter. Good Friday and Easter are two sides of the salvation coin. By his dying, He has destroyed death. And by His rising, He restores us to everlasting life. As Jesus proclaims to you in Revelation: “Fear not,” Jesus says, “I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.”

Even in his resurrection Jesus still proclaims His cross: “See my hands and my side…”  It’s no different in the Church, Christ’s cross marks everything we say and do. We preach Christ Crucified even as we rejoice in Christ’s resurrection.

For us – as it was for the disciples - the sacrifice of Christ Crucified is never simply a past event. Christ’s death is always a visible, tangible, present reality. He showed them his hands and his side. He shows you the same thing here in the Lord’s Supper: His Word and His wounds are open to give you peace. Here you receive the first fruits of His death. Even your Baptism is no simple metaphor. Daily you’re drowned in your sin and daily you rise to new life. Daily you’re buried with Christ and daily you rise with Him.

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” ²² And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. ²³ If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

As He once breathed over the waters of creation in the beginning, as He once breathed into the nostrils of Adam turning his lifeless clay into a living being. As He once breathed life into the valley of dry bones, Jesus breaths on His disciples.

Out of Jesus’ death and resurrection flows the apostolic ministry and apostolic church. Jesus sends His disciples as His apostles, His sent ones (that’s what apostle means after all). They’re sent to make forgiveness audible to those who have not seen. This is why Jesus sends pastors to His church. This is why Christ has a church in the first place, that forgiveness of sins would be preached and heard and believed and lived. God isn’t concerned whether or not we’re entertained on Sunday, or even if we feel “spiritually uplifted” (whatever that means). Jesus wants you to hear that your sins are forgiven in Jesus’ Name.  He wants to give you something concrete and tangible to believe, something outside of your selves, namely, that Jesus died for your sins and that He was raised for your justification.

So He opens His mouth and speaks His peace-be-with-you-Word. And He opens His wounds to heal you.  Jesus’ Word and wounds bring you peace.

So, rejoice and be glad. Join the disciples in their wonder and amazement. Join King David in singing, I was glad when they said to me, let us go up to the house of the Lord.”

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go up to Redeemer. Let us go up to the Divine Service. Let us go up where Jesus’ words and His wounds are given to you.” Are you troubled? Afraid? Imprisoned by guilt and sin? Crying out with the centurion, “Lord, I believe, help my unbelief?” Then you’re in the right place. Hear the words of your Savior in the liturgy, spoken from the altar, where the Body and the Blood of Christ are there for you to eat and drink: “Peace be with you.”

But don’t come alone. Bring your neighbors, family members, and friends you know are hurting and need Jesus Word and wounds to heal them. Bring them here to the one place you can guarantee Jesus’ Word and wounds continue bring you peace.

Peace be with you in His absolution: Go your way, your sins are forgiven. Peace be with you in the waters and promises of your Holy Baptism: you are cleansed, holy, and clothed in Christ’s death and resurrection. Peace be with you as you eat and drink Jesus’ body and blood.

Today we join Thomas and kneel before the Crucified and Risen Lord. His body and blood are here. Eat. Drink. Touch. Taste. Hear. The Peace of the Lord’s body and blood be with you always. Here we join Thomas in confessing: “My Lord and my God.”

In Jesus’ Word and His wounds: You are forgiven. You are free. You have life in Jesus’ Name. Peace be with you.

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

Make that Kid a Doctor of Theology

Martin Luther wrote in the Smalcald Articles, concerning the Church that, "Thank God, a seven-year-old child knows what the Church is, namely, the holy believers and lambs who hear the voice of their Shepherd" (SA, Part 3, Article XII, 2).

"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and the follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand" (John 10:27-28).

The more time I spend with the pre-schoolers during Redeemer's weekly chapels and talking with them around the playground, the more I come to appreciate these words of Luther. And the more I come to realize how greatly adults take for granted - and even dare to look down - upon this child-like faith. It's easy for adults to forget that faith is a gift, not some kind of intellectual, emotional, psychological (or any other kind of adjectival) effort on our part. "I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ my Lord or come to Him..."

Ultimately Luther's words reflect Jesus' Words. That's what faithful sheep of the Shepherd do. They listen and they follow. They hear and confess. What a delight and sublime joy it is to hear the confession of these little ones, especially when they put their confession down with crayons. The picture below depicts exactly what I'm writing about. The artist is one of the kindergartners in my sister's class where she teaches at Amazing Grace Lutheran School in Renton, WA.

 

 

In hued, waxen prose, this kindergartner illustrated an Old Testament Christological masterpiece. Too many Christians find it hard - if not nearly impossible - to find Jesus in the Old Testament. And yet, this kindergartner gets it far better than many adults no doubt. Jesus isn't just some thread in the Old Testament; He is the Old Testament, every jot and tittle. There's the ark, the animals, and the bow in the sky. And there, standing as a captain before the bow of His ship, stands Jesus. This little sheep has confessed well, even if it was in crayolas. If Christ was the rock and Israel was baptized in the sea, then He was also the captain of the holy ark that saved Noah and eight souls in all, rescuing them. They were saved through water. Sound familiar? It should. This is a picture of your salvation, the flood of forgiveness you receive. Your deliverance through water and your entry into the Holy Ark of the Christian Church.

 

That's what leads to such a beautifully painted confession of faith: Baptism. In the font, sinners are made saints, goats transform into sheep, rebellious children of Adam become children of the Heavenly Father. Rising up from the water we cry, "Abba, Father!" We confess with our lips. And sometimes we confess as we color. God's own child I gladly say it, I am baptized into Christ!

 

Thank God for this little one's confession. For in this picture we see Jesus' words to His disciples after His resurrection come to life: "The books of Moses, the Psalms and the Prophets...testify to Me!" And out of the mouth (and hands) of babes, Your praises are confessed. So, make that kid a doctor of theology. She gets it. The Old Testament - indeed, all of Scripture, it's center and circumference - is about Jesus crucified and risen for you. 

 

May we be so bold with our lips as this little one was with her hands.

 

Water, blood, and Spirit crying,

By their witness testifying

To the One whose death defying

Life has come, with life for all.

 

In a watery grave are buried

All our sins that Jesus carried;

Christ, the Ark of Life, has ferried

Us across death's raging flood.

 

Water, Blood, and Spirit Crying - LSB 597:2-3

 

 

 

 



Sermon for Easter Vigil: "Salvation Days"

 

+ Easter Vigil – March 30^th, 2013 +

Redeemer Lutheran, HB
 

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

What a difference a day makes.

Yesterday the cross and darkness. Tonight the light of Christ’s resurrection consumes the void of darkness. Yesterday the earth mourned and quaked with injustice. Tonight the earth trembles with joyful anticipation. Yesterday the devil laughed. Tonight we dance on his grave. Yesterday the tomb was sealed. Tonight the seal of Jesus’ grave is broken. Yesterday: death. Tonight: eternal life. Yesterday: the end. Today: the beginning.

 “In the beginning, God made the heavens and the earth.”

And God ordered days and seasons…why? So that Adam’s life – and the life of his descendants – would be ordered around the Lord’s gifts and filled with praise. But this Sabbath rest wasn’t only meant for God to rest from His labors, but for man to rest in the holiness of God’s labor for him.

But Adam’s peace was short lived. Rest turned to restlessness. Peace turned to rebellion. Sabbath turned to sin. Life turned to death. Paradise turned to exile. Days of holiness turned to days of suffering, guilt and death.

Now our days are filled with trials and illness, suffering and shame, guilt and death. Our days are spent not in Sabbath rest but in sinful chaos.

But we are not alone. Jesus lived – every day of His life – for you. From His birth to His death and resurrection, Jesus spent his living and dying day to save us from ours. The Creator, whose arms stretched out and painted the heavens, stretches his arms upon the cross between the heavens and the earth. But he who overcame by the tree of the garden is overcome by the tree of Christ Crucified.  And God saw that it was good.

            And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

 

 “And the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the heart was continually evil.”

Then the fountains of the deep were opened. Fain fell 40 days. The Lord flooded the earth. Creation undone by her Creator. Such was the wickedness of man. But the Lord remembered Noah. Through the water. In the ark. 8 souls saved in all. And the Lord remembers you, wicked in heart though you were. You too are saved, through the water and Spirit, into the Holy Ark of the Church. A new and saving flood has drowned your only-evil-ways and you are preserved in Christ’s death and resurrection. He is your true man of rest. The Captain of your Salvation. And God saw that it was good.

And there was evening and there was morning, the second day.

 “And the people of Israel cried out to the Lord…’Are there no graves in Egypt so that you brought us out here in the wilderness to die?’”
 

They utter a hopeless cry. A shout of despair, doubt, and unbelief. We’ve all asked similar questions before: Have you abandoned us, Lord? Will you keep your promises? Will you deliver me from certain death?

But all questions are silenced by Moses’ words: “Stand firm and see the salvation of the Lord which he will work for you this day.” The Lord was with His people in the pillar of cloud and fire. In the water parting. In the Red Sea rescue. Once again God’s people are delivered through water. And so are you. Our doubt and despair are silenced as the Son of God camps between us and death. He leads us from slavery to freedom, from death to life in His death and resurrection. The same death and resurrection into which you are baptized. You pass through the liquid veil into paradise. The Pharaoh of hell lies drowned and your sin is washed away. Christ leads His people on a new and greater exodus over the dry ground of His open tomb. And God saw that it was good.

            And there was evening and there was morning, the third day.

 “And the Lord said to Ezekiel, ‘Son of Man, can these bones live?’”

 

Ezekiel needed to know the answer; and so do we. The briskness of those opening words of Lent still haunt us: “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.” Those words began Lent. The ashes marked our death. But they also traced the Baptismal cross upon our forehead. You are marked by Christ the Crucified. Now at the end of Lent the Lord proclaims a new beginning for Ezekiel and for you. “Thus says the Lord, ‘I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people.” Jesus rises from the dead and shakes the dust of your tomb from his resurrected feet. “You shall live forever…I have spoken and I will do it, says the Lord.”  And God saw that it was good.

           And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day.

 “And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God…”

Job suffered. Job questioned. Job prayed. And then Job suffered some more. But Job was not forsaken. Job confessed.

I know that my Redeemer lives,
And He shall stand at last on the earth;
²⁶ And after my skin is destroyed, this I know,
That in my flesh I shall see God,

For you who question and pray – wondering like Job, where is God in the midst of my pain and death? – for you Jesus prays: “Father, if you are willing take this cup from me, nevertheless, not my will but yours be done.” And Jesus questions: “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” See how Jesus prays and questions for Job, for you. All so that you are not forsaken in your sin or abandoned to die alone forever.

With iron Roman pens your salvation is engraved, not in wood or stone, but in the flesh of Christ. Wounds that forever inscribe your redemption in the Lamb’s book of life. Your Redeemer lives. Jesus suffered more and He suffered it all willingly for Job, for you and for the world. He prays on your behalf. He was forsaken so that you are welcomed. He dies and rises so that you can confess with Job, I know that my Redeemer lives…and in my flesh I shall see God. And God saw that it was good.

And there was evening and there was morning the 5^th day.

 

            “And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.”

The Ninevites’ repentance condemned Jonah’s pride, and later the Pharisees (Matthew 12). But instead of joining in their repentant cry, we echo Jonah’s lament and begrudge the Lord’s mercy. But our chief sin of self-righteousness – along with all your sins – is paid for on the cross and covered in Christ’s righteousness. Your sin is dead and buried in the tomb. Whereas the fish swallowed the prophet, Jesus swallowed your death. But unlike the fish, Christ’s tomb is not empty; it is full. Full of your sin, full of your death, but empty of its power over you. 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. And behold, one greater than Jonah is here. And God saw that it was good.

 

And there was evening and there was morning the 6^th day.

Thus the Lord’s salvation of the heavens and the earth was revealed. Mark them well. For these are the days of your salvation foretold in Scripture. These are the days fulfilled in this most holy of weeks, the Great Week.

 On Palm Sunday your beggar King rides to his bloody coronation on the cross. On Maundy Thursday Jesus mark a new day of salvation by taking bread, the food of the fall, and making it the food of redemption in His body. The winepress of God’s judgment yields a cup of blessing in Jesus' blood.

On Good Friday the serpent strikes again. Another tree adorned with fruit, but a whole new Adam. Christ’s hands and feet and side are pierced. But the serpent’s head is crushed. As in Adam all die so in Christ all are made alive.

It is finished. Jesus’ body was buried. The tomb sealed. The guard set. The women wept. The disciples hid. And the earth was formless and void and darkness covered the face of the earth and the abyss of the grave. And his Father saw everything that he had done, and behold, it was very good. And on the seventh day the Lord of the Sabbath rested in the earth from all his work that he had done. But not for long.

 “And the angel said to them, ‘Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen. He is not here.’”

Yesterday was Good Friday. Tonight is the dawn of Jesus’ Resurrection – the 8^th day of the week. This is the endless, everlasting day in Christ’s resurrection. No more evening and morning, just as God had intended in the first garden. No more sorrow and sickness. No more sin and death. The former things have passed away. And on the 8^th day, Christ rested from all the work that He had done for you. So Christ blessed the 8^th day and made it holy, an eternal Sabbath rest for you. And behold, it is very good.

“Awake, O sleeper, and rise from the dead, and Christ will give you light”. Rejoice! The devil is defeated. Your death is destroyed. Your sin is paid for. Rejoice! The cherubim have sheathed their flaming swords. Paradise is open to you once again. For Christ is risen.

What a difference a day makes.

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

 

Sermon for Easter Sunrise: "Easter Exodus"

+ Easter Sunrise – March 31^st, 2013 +

Redeemer Lutheran, HB
Series C: Job 19:23-27; 1 Corinthians 15:51-57; John 20:1-18

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Alleluia! Christ is Risen! (He is Risen indeed. Alleluia!)

“I will sing unto the Lord for He has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider He has thrown into the sea.” (antiphon for Easter Sunrise)

I will sing unto the Lord for Christ has triumphed gloriously; death and his rider He has thrown into the grave behind him.

I will sing unto the Lord for Christ has triumphed gloriously; the angel rests upon the stone rolled away, mocking death. Death is undone. Christ has put the grave in its place. The Scriptures must be fulfilled.

I will sing unto the Lord for He has triumphed gloriously; Mary Magdalene and Peter and John saw the folded linen cloths and the empty tomb where Jesus lay.

I will sing unto the Lord for He has triumphed gloriously; and the angel asks, “Why are you weeping” for this is no time to weep. Christ is risen. Death could not hold him and neither will it hold you.

I will sing unto the Lord for He has triumphed gloriously; Why are you still weeping? Whom are you seeking? For the good and gracious Gardener has fallen into the earth like a grain of wheat and died. But now he rises and bears much fruit.

I will sing unto the Lord for He has triumphed gloriously; Jesus speaks her name, “Mary.” And she believes. Faith comes by hearing.

I will sing unto the Lord for He has triumphed gloriously; Fear not Mary, fear not, oh Christian haunted by your sin and death…I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One. I died and behold I am alive forevermore; and I hold the keys of Death and Hades.

I will sing unto the Lord for He has triumphed gloriously; And because He has died and risen, death no longer has dominion over you. Death is dead. Your sin is forgiven. The devil is powerless. And you are free. In Christ you too will rise again.

I will sing unto the Lord for He has triumphed gloriously; Now go and tell your friends and neighbors the Good News as Mary told the fearful disciples. Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again.

I will sing unto the Lord for He has triumphed gloriously; For Christ’s death has reversed everything. The Just for the sinners. The Master for the slaves. The Free for the captives. The Physician for the sick. The Happy One for the wretched. The Rich One for the needy. The Seeker for the lost. The Redeemer for the sold. The Shepherd for the sheep. The Creator for the creature.

Now let the victory song begin. Blow the trumpets. Call a feast.

Rejoice now, O heavenly choirs of angels;
Rejoice now, all creation
Sound forth, trumpet of salvation,
And proclaim the triumph of our King.

Rejoice too, all the earth,
In the radiance of the light now poured upon you
And made brilliant by the brightness of the everlasting King;
Know that the ancient darkness has been forever banished.

Rejoice, O Church of Christ,
Clothed in the brightness of this light;
Let all the house of God ring out with rejoicing,
With the praises of all God’s faithful people.

(Exsultet of the Easter Vigil)

             For the Son that was lost is now found. He who was dead is now alive. The Temple that was destroyed on Good Friday has been raised again on the third day. The Greater Jonah is expelled from the belly of the earth. Christ walks out of the valley of dry bones wounded and scarred, but alive in your flesh and bone. Job’s Redeemer, and yours, stands upon the earth having fulfilled his hope and ours. Today we receive our Greater Brother Joseph back from the dead – what we meant for evil, God meant for your good. The Greater Isaac has returned from the sacrificial mountain alive and well. And the Second Adam leads Adam’s descendants back into paradise through His death and resurrection.
"O death, where is thy sting?

 

O Hades, where is thy victory?

Christ is risen, and you are overthrown!

Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen!

Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice!

Christ is risen, and life reigns!

Christ is risen, and the dead will not remain in their tomb!

For Christ, being raised from the dead, has become the first-fruits of them that have slept. To Him be glory and might unto the ages of ages." (John Chrysostom)

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

 

 

 

Did Jesus Really Rise from the Dead?

NOTE: This article is part two of a three part series that is being printed in my local Huntington Beach, CA paper, the WAVE. In the first column I addressed the defense of Jesus' resurrection primarily from an existential perspective (i.e. What do I need?) In this second column, I address one of many factual cases made in the defense (apologia) of Christianity's central claim: Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead for you (This method is also popularized and well documented by apologists such as John W. Montgomery). This is basically a boiled down version of an earlier post here entitled, "Apologetics 101 Part 3: The Historical Argument." One brief disclaimer, the paper requires a 425 word limit. And in the final column, I'll be focusing specificially on the resurrection using the approach of well known apologist, Gary Habermas, known as the "bare minimum facts" approach to defending the resurrection.

Jesus’ death is among the best-attested facts in ancient history. But what about his resurrection? Believe it or not, this issue doesn’t require a blind leap of faith. Rather, Christianity’s central claim is a historical one. Namely, that a real guy did real things in history. And this affects you in the most personal way imaginable. Jesus was crucified, then seen alive again three days later. Not once upon a time. But in real human history. Therefore, it can be investigated like any other historical event.

Investigation must precede conclusion. For example, why do you believe Abraham Lincoln was shot in Ford’s Theater on April 15, 1865? Because someone told you, or you read it on the internet? For trained historians, that’s not enough. Historians must apply objective methods to the events in question to determine their reliability. Apply these same objective methods to Christianity’s claim and see what happens. Although space prohibits a detailed and documented citation of these claims, the argument follows a logical step-by-step process (Not, “God says so, I believe it, end of story.”).

1. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are reliable primary source documents. Begin by treating them as ancient sources not books of the Bible. These books were written by eyewitnesses, or close associates of eyewitnesses and have been reliably transmitted over time. This is historical gold: four biographies about the central figure traceable back to his contemporaries. No ancient historical figure has such thorough documentation. Moreover, many non-Christian historians confirm events recorded in the Gospels, and archaeology substantiates many of these claims.
2. In these primary source documents, the central figure, Jesus of Nazareth, claims to be God in human flesh. This is the primary charge against Jesus in the trial preceding his crucifixion.
3. Christ’s physical resurrection from the dead proves his deity. When someone says, “I don’t believe Jesus rose from the dead,” I ask, “What happened to his body?” I’ve heard numerous theories, but none comport with the evidence acknowledged by a vast amount of scholars. The best explanation that takes all the facts into account is that Jesus rose from the dead.
4. If Jesus is God, whatever he says is true. Normally, dead people don’t rise from their graves. But if Jesus rose again, he’s in the best position to tell us what his resurrection means. Jesus proclaims that he has power over his death and yours. Therefore, his promise to give you eternal salvation is also trustworthy.

For more information: www.garyhabermas.com. The next column we’ll examine specific historical evidence for Jesus’ resurrection.

Sermon for Maundy Thursday: "Jesus' Blood is Your Life"

+ Maundy Thursday – March 28^th, 2013 +
Redeemer Lutheran, HB

“Jesus’ Blood is Your Life”

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

             Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.  Blood purifies.  Blood atones for sin.  Blood cries out for justice.  Blood is a substitute. Blood redeems from death.  A crimson canopy for shameful sinners. A scarlet robe of righteousness made white in the blood of the Lamb.

            Where there’s a covenant – there’s blood.  Hurled upon the altar.  Sprinkled on the OT priests– covering his vestments, placed on his ears, his lips, his forehead, his heart – he entered the holy place by means of the sacrificial blood.  Blood even poured out upon the people.  “Behold the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you.”  Forgiveness is a bloody affair. Why? Life is in the blood (Lev. 17:11).

            Given all that, perhaps the paraments should be red tonight.  But they’re white instead. For this is how God now sees you in Jesus. Though your sins were as scarlet, you are white as snow. Jesus’ blood is your life.

             In the OT, if God wasn’t using blood, he used something of His creation to bless His people. You’d be hard pressed to find a promise that God makes – Old or New Testament – where He doesn’t attach His Word and promise to us in the physical earthly things of his creation.

 Adam and Eve were clothed in animal skins to cover their naked, guilty flesh.

Cain received a mark upon his forehead to save him from certain death.
Noah was given the bow in the sky, a visible sign of YHWH’s covenant with creation.
Abraham was given the sign of circumcision.
Moses was given the blood and flesh of the Passover Lamb.
Gideon was given the dew upon the fleece that YHWH kept His Word.
Elijah was given bread in the wilderness.
Isaiah was given a burning, cleansing coal upon his lips.
Ezekiel ate the bitter-sweet scroll of YHWH’s Word.

 

            The Lord works no differently in the New Testament. The Water and Word of your Baptism rescue you, clothe you in Christ and forgive sins. Christ’s Word and a human voice declare your sins forgiven in Holy Absolution. Christ’s body and blood in the bread and wine forgive your sins in the Supper.

            There, in the upper room - once again - the shedding of blood provides forgiveness of sins. All the blood of the OT sacrifices and covenants flows downstream to Jesus’ cross. Life is in the blood. Jesus’ blood is your life.
            This is a night of remembrance. A night of forgiveness. 
           This is the night in which God remembers the blood of the first sacrifice, shed to clothe Adam and Eve in their naked, sinful shame.
            This is the night in which God remembers the blood of circumcision as the sign of His promise to the faithful remnant of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
            This is the night in which the blood of Isaac is spared for the Lord Himself is the Lamb.
            This is the night in which the blood of Christ speaks a better word than Abel’s.
            This is the night when the Lamb of God is led to slaughter and His blood paints a doorpost of safe passage from slavery to freedom and death to life.  Without the blood you’re dead.  Under the blood of the Lamb, you are safe.  Death passes over.

 Yes, this is a night of remembrance.

            But how easily we forget: our prayers, our study of God’s Word. How easily we grumble like Israelites in the wilderness and forget God’s promises. And how quickly we think of ourselves. How quickly we remember the speck of our neighbors’, our spouses, or our fellow members’ sins all while failing see the forest of our own sin and repent.

            This is also a night to remember that we do not remember, at least not as we should. We’re no different from the Israelites. Oh, we may echo their promise, “All that the Lord has spoken, we will do and we will be obedient.” – but unlike the Lord, we don’t live up to our promises. Israel was disobedient. And so are we. We stand before God naked in Adam’s sin. Uncovered. Ashamed. Humiliated. Dead. Nothing to cling to except our mortality.

            But, this night isn’t only about our remembrance.  For as much as the Israelites remembered YHWH’s salvation at Passover, more importantly, the Lord remembered them. He remembers His covenant and promise.

            And though we remember many things tonight, most important of all, Christ remembers us.

             On the night in which He was betrayed, once again, God uses His creation and attaches His promise to it: bread and wine are now His body and his blood.  But Jesus does something new. In place of the endless animal sacrifices, Jesus provides an everlasting covenant in this Sacrament. In place of the blood of beasts, He pours out His own holy, precious blood securing an eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls purified and made the flesh holy, how much more then, will the blood of Christ, offered without blemish before God, how much more will His blood purify and make us holy. A new promise. A new testament. A new meal.

            This Sacrament is a bridge from Jesus’ cross to the altar, from Jesus’ crucifixion to you, from the Passover Lamb who is sacrificed for us to the Lamb’s high feast. This is what the Albrecht Durer picture on your bulletin insert illustrates. See how the angels are collecting the blood of Christ in the chalice. It’s a visual sermon. What Christ shed for you on the cross is poured out for you in the chalice. Jesus blood is your life.

            The Lord’s Supper brings you forgiveness straight from the source – Christ Crucified – right where it’s needed, our sin-filled lives. What a superb image to have in your heads as you come to the Lord’s Supper, here, where all the signs and promises of the Old Testament point.

            Christ our Passover – our Paschal Lamb – has been sacrifice for us. Once and for all. This Supper is an everlasting sign – both physical and spiritual – that points you to Jesus’ death and gives you the fruit of Jesus’ death in the forgiveness of sins. Jesus’ life is in this blood.

             Behold the Lamb of God who pours out His life to forgive your sins. See on His face the spit He received in order to restore you life and wash away your sin. See the marks of the blows He received in order to refashion your warped nature in His image. See on His back the marks of the scourging He endured to remove the burden of sin that weighs upon your back.

            Everything is taken away.  Jesus is stripped. Laid bare. Betrayed.  Garments removed.  There He stands: nailed to the tree.  Naked before God in the sin of all mankind. Uncovered. Ashamed. Humiliated. Forsaken.  Nothing to cling to except our sin and His cross.  All of this He does for you.

            And so, tonight the Church reflects Her Lord.  Everything is taken away.  The chancel is emptied.  The altar is stripped.  Garments, paraments all gone.  Laid bare.    Tonight the church is naked.  Uncovered.  Humiliated.  But not forsaken.  We cling to our Lord Jesus and His New Covenant. 

 

            And He longs to share this Passover, this New Testament with you. His Table is set.  He’s gathered you here. The Paschal feast is ready.  The Cup is full. The Bread is broken.  All is now ready. 

             For the sin-sick man, here’s your medicine of immortality.

            For the dead man, here’s your antidote that restores life.
            For the poor beggar, here’s your sacred treasure.
            For the lonely, here’s your communion of saints.
            For the one attacked by the devil, here’s your trusty shield and weapon.
            For the hungry, here’s your Living Bread from heaven, food for body and soul.
            For the thirsty, here’s your cup of blessing overflowing with Jesus’ forgiveness.
            For the faint and weak pilgrim, here’s your sustenance for the journey.
            For you, Jesus’ blood is life.
                        Christ lays before you the gifts of His cross and says, “These are for you.”

            Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness…But wherever and whenever Christ’s blood is given and shed, Jesus is there forgiving your sins.

            Jesus’ blood is your life.

 A Blessed Maundy Thursday to you all…

 In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.