Easter is upon us, and we are encouraged again to think about the resurrection—not so much about the physical aspects, or even the historical ones, but the theology, the meaning. If Christ died on the cross for the guilt of sin, then what happens? If the cross was the payment of the curse for the fall, what happens when the price has been paid?
The earliest and most violent of the persecutors of our faith was Saul of Tarsus. Deeply steeped in the Jewish faith, trained by the greatest religious leaders of his time, Saul (or, to his Gentile audience, Paul), exuded a passion for God like none other. And, the passion was not weirdo-spirituality, but a zeal steeped in the Scriptures. Paul knew the Word of God and was committed to following it—and to protecting others from false teachings.
So, when confronted by this new sect of believers, those who called themselves “followers of the Way” or “Christians,” Paul was, I am sure, understandably concerned. And, looking into the teachings of these Christians, it is easy to understand his horror—“Wait! You are claiming to follow someone who was CRUCIFIED??” For Paul certainly knew the Scriptures; Deuteronomy 21:23 makes it clear that anyone who is hung on a tree is condemned by God Himself—“everyone who hangs on a tree is cursed by God.” So, of course, these Christians must be wrong—dead wrong. No one cursed by God Himself should be followed!
But…, and I suspect Paul never asked himself this…, what happens after the curse? After a person has been cursed by God, what happens then? What happens when the full fury of the condemnation and judgment of the holy Lord has fallen totally and completely on the Cursed One?
Have you ever wondered what exactly happened to Paul, what he was thinking, on the Damascus Road when Jesus appeared to him (Acts 9)? Why did that one vision of the Lord change him so completely?
Paul’s life was radically changed when he was confronted by the resurrected Lord Jesus. Why? Was it simply that he was meeting a former dead guy? Not at all. In seeing Jesus as resurrected, Paul went through a series of realizations… Jesus was cursed by God (after all, He was hung on the cross); but, after bearing the curse, here He now is, alive! Resurrected! No longer rejected by God, Jesus is now alive! So, the Father has accepted the sacrifice of Jesus. The curse is over, and now death has no hold on Him. How can this be? If Jesus was nothing but a cursed man, then death would always triumph. But, by meeting the resurrected Jesus, Paul was confronted by something/someone more… One who could bear the curse, yet still conquer death—the Lord God Almighty Himself.
May you today also meet the One who bore your curse, conquered death for you and lives and reigns over your life now and forever.
For worship this Easter Sunday, read Mark 16.
- What is notable about the first witnesses to the resurrection? Guessing how the culture felt toward these witnesses, why do you think God chose them as the first?
- Why is there such an emphasis on the stone in the resurrection? Why is this offered as part of the resurrection story?
- Upon entering, the women see “a young man” (verse 5). Why are they “alarmed?” What can you infer from this?
- How might the entire Gospel be summarized in verse 6? How is this a story (or summary) of every believer’s life?
- List all the things that the women were to do upon encountering the reality of the resurrection of Jesus. How do these things translate into the responsibilities of every believer?
By Henry Knapp