The Power of the Resurrection

“That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”

(Philippians 3:10-11 NASB)

A youth pastor once asked a group of Christian teenagers to imagine that archaeologists had discovered positive proof that they had found bones of Jesus of Nazareth. What would that do to their faith?

The students hemmed and hawed. “He's still God, right? He still died for us. He still would have given the same teaching. I could still believe in Him, couldn't I?” They somehow felt they could hold onto their faith, even though Jesus did not rise from the dead.

THE RESURRECTION MATTERS

Paul gives a very different answer to that question in 1 Corinthians 15:16-17 when he says, “For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.” Why does Paul say that? What was wrong with that youth group's response to this question? Why is the fact of the resurrection central to true Christianity?

To paraphrase Phil 3:4-9, Paul says:

“I followed the Law as well as anyone, and better than any of these false teachers. No one could have looked at any part of my life and accused me of breaking the Law. I was, on those terms, perfect. But now I consider all that I did, all my accomplishments, all that striving to prove to God that I was good -- I say, I consider all of that garbage, as worthless as manure, compared to the greatest thing of all: knowing Jesus Christ. Indeed, I have given up everything else so I might know Him. Once I know Him, I will be in Him, I will be part of His body, and will be declared good by Him, not because of anything I have done, but because I am identified with Christ Jesus. I want to know Christ. I want to know the power of His resurrection.”

Paul's primary desire, what he wants more than anything else in this life is to know the living, the resurrected Christ, and to know the power associated with that resurrection. If Christ is not raised from the dead, if His bones are buried somewhere in Palestine, then we cannot know Him. That man is dead. We might read about Him, we might revere Him, but we cannot know Him. Furthermore, if He is not raised from the dead, then He has no power today. He is dead. His words might have some influence – but He Himself has no power.

That’s why resurrection is so central to Christians: Christianity not a religion based on abstract principles. It is a relationship with a living Savior, a Savior we can not only know about but have a living relationship with, a Savior who infuses our life and empowers us, who transforms us into His likeness.

KNOWING CHRIST

What is “knowing Christ?” Our relationship with God is deeply personal. Throughout the Bible, God has always revealed Himself as Someone who could be known. In the OT the Israelites are always seen in relationship to a living God.

“Thus says the Lord, ‘Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,’ declares the Lord.”

(Jer 9:23-24 NASB)(Emphasis mine)

Knowing God is more important than wisdom, or strength, or riches. The people in this world who are most admired are often admired for these three qualities, aren't they? But through Jeremiah, God tells us that what matters more than anything else is understanding and knowing the Lord. Jesus Himself echoes these thoughts as He prays for His followers the night before His death:

“This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” (John 17:3 NASB)(Emphasis mine)

Eternal life is what? Knowing God, knowing Jesus! Without knowing Him, there is no true life. The whole Bible agrees that knowing God, knowing Jesus, is central. But what does knowing God mean?

It is important to know about Him, but we must go beyond simply learning facts. We must cultivate our own relationship with Him. We do that by believing that He is the Son of God, believing the resurrection really did take place, and wanting Him to make us into a new creation. We grow that relationship by spending time in prayer: praying alone and with others. Talking to God builds our relationship with Him. We also need to be willing to follow, even when His commands don't make sense to us. When we do this - when we step out in faith - He will be there to support us, and we will see Jesus as a living, risen Savior.

THE POWER OF THE RESURRECTION

When Paul asks to know the power of Jesus’ resurrection, he’s not asking God for some kind of new spiritual or emotional experience. He’s asking to truly know, to fully comprehend, what has already been accomplished in the resurrection. Let’s consider four aspects of this power.

1. The Power to Have Sins Forgiven - Sin has a hold on all of us. Without God, we are slaves to sin. But Christ, through His death and resurrection, frees us from the power of sin. When Jesus died, God laid on Him the iniquity of us all (Is 53:6), the punishment that all of us deserve for all our sins. Jesus’ sacrifice accomplished what no other could. “For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.” (Heb 10:10 NLT)
2. The Power to Conquer Sin - Resurrection power doesn't end with our forgiveness. Christ's resurrection also empowers us to conquer sin in our lives. Ephesians 4:24 tells us that in Christ we are a new creation; His Spirit lives within us. We have been renewed, we have a new self. In our humanity, we will still have to deal with sin in our lives sometimes. God gives us the power to overcome it, but we must first know we have the power! That is why Paul has such a strong desire for this knowledge.
3. The Power to Be God's Agent - Christianity is not just about forgiveness and overcoming sin. Christianity is not simply a solution to our problems. God has a positive purpose in our salvation. He has determined that we are to be His agents of change in the world. God empowers us not only to defeat sin but also to share and display His loving message to the world. Jesus Himself said of us, “You are the light of the world.” Paul put it this way: “For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And He gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making His appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, ‘Come back to God!’” (2 Cor 5:19-20 NASB)
4. The Power to Be Conformed to His Likeness - “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren.” (Romans 8:29 NASB) Resurrection power's greatest accomplishment is conforming us to the likeness of Christ. Can you imagine what that means? Think of everything about yourself that you don't like, all the habits, all the negative characteristics - the things you have wanted to change, have tried to change. God will deal with every one of those. You are being made into a perfect creation. You are becoming like Jesus! That is your destiny, becoming the perfect bride of Christ, spotless, blameless, loving, kind, strong -- transformed into His likeness.

TWO QUESTIONS

This past weekend, we celebrated Resurrection Sunday. And here in Central Louisiana, it’s probably safe to say that nearly everyone knows about Jesus and the Easter story. But not everyone knows Him. And not everyone knows the power of the resurrection. So let me close by asking you two questions:

Do you know Christ?

Do you know the power of His resurrection?

If You say no to either of them, I’d love to visit with you. If you would send me an email to Nathan at ChristianChallenge.org I would love to dialog with you and share what I’ve discovered about Jesus and the power of His resurrection. Faith doesn’t have to be an abstract thing! It can be real and personal and powerful and alive! Please email me today and let’s talk about it!

A Tale of Two Basins

The world recognizes this time of the year as a time to celebrate Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. The events of Holy Week are so familiar to us that it’s easy to miss out on some of the details. So today, I want to draw your attention to two events that center around two basins of water.

JESUS’ BASIN

“Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, got up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself. Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.”

(John 13:3-5 NASB)

Notice that it says Jesus “got up from supper.” This could indicate that the meal wasn’t finished yet. I could imagine that everyone was still enjoying themselves at the table, maybe finishing their meals and engaging in conversations with each other. Then Jesus quietly arose, preparing to teach them a great lesson.

He “laid aside His garments.” To me this is a clear reference to the incarnation! He laid aside His glory and dignity as the Son of God to perform a servant’s task. The passage continues, “taking a towel, He girded Himself. Then He poured water into the basin...” This was the work of servants. Remember the wedding at Cana when servants filled containers? Everything Jesus did pointed to Him doing something He didn’t have to do.

Next, he “began to wash the disciples’ feet.” This is the ultimate in service. The role of washing feet was ALWAYS an act of service performed by those of lesser status for the benefit of those with a greater status. Interestingly, the Babylonian Talmud tells us that in Jewish tradition, although disciples were called upon to show great respect to their teachers/masters, one thing that explicitly was NOT required was to unloose the shoe (in order to wash the feet). That shows just how much Jesus humbled Himself to do this task.

When Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, it wasn’t enough to just wash them with water, He also wiped their feet with the towel he was wearing, providing the ultimate cleansing and care. It’s also important to recognize that Jesus didn’t exclude Judas. He washed ALL their feet.

“So when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, ‘Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.’”

(John 13:12-15 NASB)

Even though Jesus had performed this act of service, He was still their Master to instruct them and their Lord to rule or govern them. The world may think less of you if you perform low-status service jobs. But in the economy of God, you gain - not lose - when you serve someone else.

Jesus instructed His followers to wash one another’s feet. He didn’t say that in order to institute some sort of foot-washing ritual. The idea is to lay aside any false ideas of our own greatness and learn to serve one another... to prefer others in even (or especially) in the small things. To build someone up when you’d rather put them down. To resist the urge to use your influence to call out or punish someone who has wronged you… and serve them instead.

PILATE’S BASIN

“When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, ‘I am innocent of this Man’s blood; see to that yourselves.’”

(Matthew 27:24 NASB)

Pilate was quite a piece of work. His 10 years in Jerusalem were marked with many instances of unrest and bloodshed. Once he intentionally antagonized the Jews by placing golden shields in his palace with the names of various gods. Emperor Tiberius had to personally order him to remove them. He took money from the Temple treasury to build his aqueduct. He would send his soldiers into crowds of protesters dressed as civilians and when the crowds got unruly, at his command, they would begin beating the protesters. Philo called him “naturally inflexible, rigid, and self-willed”.

But this time he is no match for the Jewish leadership. He can see something in their eyes. He knows they’re serious, like the time they bared their necks to the Roman swords to get the soldiers to remove their shields from the temple. He backed down that time and he’s backing down again. He’s the ultimate politician. He knows which battles to fight and this isn’t one of them.

Pilate’s wife didn’t want to see Jesus condemned. In Matthew 27:19, she is so distressed over what’s happening that she sends her husband a message while he was on the judgment seat. In other words, this is so important to her that she interrupts him during a very important meeting at work. Her influence surely must have meant something to Pilate - but not enough to get him to release Jesus.

It’s not inconceivable that Pilate, because of his position, was close to people on both sides of the Jesus controversy. No matter which side he chose, he would lose supporters… so he chose not to choose, washing his hands of the matter. Sometimes refusing to take sides can be much more telling than actually choosing one and defending it.

Unlike Jesus, Pilate isn’t interested in serving. He’s interested in making himself look good. So instead of reaching for a towel, he reaches for the title. He calls for a basin, but he doesn’t fill it himself. And instead of washing someone else’s feet, he washes his own hands. Instead of being focused on others, he’s focused on himself.

WHAT’S IN YOUR BASIN?

Are you more like Pilate or more like Jesus? This is a serious question, and note that I’m not asking which one you’d rather be like. We’d all rather be like Jesus! But in the rubber-meets-the-road world of our daily lives, who do we take after more? I want you to ask yourself the questions that differentiated between the two basins: Are you concerned with service or appearance? Are you looking for a Towel or for a Title?

Living like Pilate is about watching out for your own interests above the interests of others. It’s about making strategic decisions and being careful about appearances. It’s about taking advantage of your influence to secure your own position, even at the expense of others.

Living like Jesus is about giving of yourself when you don’t have to. It’s about lovingly serving not just your friends, but also the one who’s about to deny you. Even the ones who are about to abandon you. Even the one who is about to walk out of the room and betray you.

When Pilate brought out the basin, only one person in that room was washed: Pilate. When Jesus brought out the basin, only one person in that room WASN’T washed: Jesus.

Jesus said He came not to be served but to serve. He proved that on the cross. He emptied Himself, laying aside His glory, and did the dirtiest job of all... dying for our sins. And now He calls us to follow in His footsteps.

“If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.” (John 13:17 NASB)

The challenge is will we know it or will we do it? Unfortunately, sometimes even true Christians know more than they’re willing to do. The Greek tense is “you are blessed if keep on doing them.” Will we make service to others a lifestyle? If we are to make an impact for Jesus as His followers and imitators, we must do what He did. He practiced service as a way of life. It must be so for us as well. Which basin will you choose?

Palm Branches and a Perfume Box

This coming Sunday is celebrated as Palm Sunday. It commemorates the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem and was greeted by praises and palm branches. Yes, it is the announcement of the King of Israel, but many of these same voices that cry “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord” will only a few days later cry out, “Crucify Him!”

This day is important because it is the fulfillment of prophecy. But it is not the ultimate expression of worship. For that I think we have to go back to the night before, when a weeping woman poured out an incredible sacrifice of worship. So in this blog, I want to explore the difference between Palm Branch and Perfume Box Praise.

PALM BRANCH PRAISE

“On the next day the large crowd who had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet Him, and began to shout, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel.’”

(John 12:12-13 NASB)

The Dead Sea Scrolls show that shortly before Jesus’ time the whole land was swept by a wave of Messianic longing and expectation. In Luke 2 we find the aged Simeon and the 84-year old prophetess Hannah among those in the temple who were waiting for the Messiah, having been promised by God He would come before they died. (Luke 2:25-27,36-38).

As the crowd gathered for Passover their emotions were at a fevered pitch. Everyone knew they were living in the times of the fulfillment of prophecy. But they were looking for a king, a savior, a warrior who would sweep in and uproot the evil Roman empire, establishing Israel as the preeminent political force in the world. Even Jesus’ own disciples believed this. In Acts 1:6, they asked, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?”

It’s natural to want a superhero. We all long for someone to show up at just the right time and save the day… so we can live happily ever after!

So when Jesus received a hero’s welcome in Jerusalem, it was because the crowds wanted Him to be that kind of hero. The problem with “Palm Branch Praise” is that it praises Jesus for who we want Him to be, not who He is. When we’re in pain or have some need, we simply wave our magic wand of praise and prayer, and Jesus makes all our wishes come true.

But Jesus is who He is, not who we want Him to be! I’m sure Jesus’ actions after arriving in Jerusalem that week surprised a lot of folks They were perplexed when His first act in the city was to clean out the money-changers, disrupting their form of worship. They thought He was there to run out the Romans not disturb their routine! How dare He step on their toes?

Then He begins teaching in the temple. “What a minute! I thought He was going to lead an army against the Romans!” Instead of amassing a great army, He withdrew, pulling back to Bethany with just a few of His disciples. It’s like instead of charging forward, He retreated. Soon, the very ones who had praised Him and announced Him as king now denounced Him, saying they’d rather have a murderer set free.

Do you see how hollow and empty the Palm Branch Praise is? It praises Jesus for who you want Him to be, not who He is. It says, “I’ll praise You if You’ll come through for me.” It’s rooted in the “what have you done for me lately” mentality. But let’s turn and look at the Perfume Box.

PERFUME BOX PRAISE

“Jesus, therefore, six days before the Passover, came to Bethany where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they made Him a supper there, and Martha was serving; but Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him. Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.”

(John 12:1-3 NASB)

Let’s compare her praise with the Palm Branch crowd. Her worship was very expensive. Verse 5 tells us that the perfume could have been sold for 300 Denarii, which was 300 days wages. In the US, the average individual income is around $48,000. If you divide that by 365 days you get $131.50. Then multiply that by 300 days you get $39,452. That’s a hunk of change!

By contrast, the palm branches cost the crowd nothing. They cut them down from the trees along the road. But if you think about it, it cost other people something - the trees didn’t belong to the worshippers, so any cost that was involved was borne by the land owners!

Sometimes we overestimate the value of what we contribute to our praise. In 1 Chronicles 21:22-24, David says he will not offer a sacrifice that costs him nothing. Yet how many of us are unwilling to worship with our voices during a worship service because it’s not a style that we prefer, or we don’t like the worship leader, or the music's too loud, or too soft, or just isn’t in that sweet spot where we feel like we can worship easily? If we only engage in worship when we’re presented with the “perfect” atmosphere and “perfect” circumstances… is it really worship at all?

When Mary worshipped and poured out the contents of her perfume box, it was a sacrifice. And it wasn’t just financial - it was a sacrifice of vulnerability. She left herself open to criticism, and critics will always find something to criticize! But if we only worship God when it’s “safe” and no one will think less of us, is that really worship?

Her worship was also very personal, very unique to her. Think about it - perfume is a very personal thing. Women (and men) will try many different types of perfume until they find just the one they like. And that makes her gift of her carefully chosen perfume very special.  In contrast, the Palm Branch crowd’s worship was not very personal. Palm branches are OSFA: one-size-fits-all. In their haste to join the crowd, well, any old branch would do.

Her worship was also intimate. She wiped his feet with her hair. A respectable woman did not unbind her hair in public. Yet for her, in that moment, there was no one there but Jesus. In contrast, the crowd was more swept up in the shared experience of an emotional event.

Mary knew who Jesus was. She believed Him, even when others didn’t fully understand what He was saying. On three different occasions, Jesus told His disciples He would be killed and would rise again: Matt 16:21; 17:22-23; 20:17-19. Perhaps the others didn't believe, or perhaps they desperately hoped it wasn’t true... but Mary took Jesus at His Word, even though what He said was painful for her to hear. Her act of worship demonstrated her faith. It was not only an acceptable sacrifice in the eyes of God, it anointed Jesus for His death and became a part of the Gospel story itself! (Matt 26:12-13)

HOW WILL YOU WORSHIP?

Will you worship when it costs you dearly? When it might be misunderstood by those around you? Even when it hurts?

Will you worship when God’s plan isn’t your plan? When the superhero doesn’t swoop in and rescue you the way you wanted? Even when you don’t understand?

Worship comes from the heart. It’s very possible that Mary was part of the crowd, waving a palm branch, declaring “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” But if she was, those words were not empty to her. Her public worship was rooted and grounded in her private worship. It was an outflow of a grateful heart. It was a public expression of a true and deep inward work. How can you tell the difference? The outsider can’t. Only you, and God, will know if your praise comes from a palm branch or a perfume box.