The Practice of Resurrection
Sean Lester
April 3, 2007
The Christian Mission
Adrian, Michigan
Text: JN 12:20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast. [21] They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. "Sir," they said, "we would like to see Jesus." [22] Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.
JN 12:23 Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. [24] I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. [25] The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. [26] Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
Introduction
I have come to learn that the Christian life involves several deaths and resurrections that lead to the ultimate experience of separation from this life to be resurrected to be with our Lord. Death, after all, is the separation of the soul and spirit from the body. Resurrection is when the body is recreated and joined with the soul and spirit. Figuratively, people experience a sort of death whenever they are separated from some thing that gives them life. When a person loses a loved one, they experience a sort of death. When a person loses a source of livelihood, a sort of death is experienced. When a person loses a relationship to divorce, separation, or breakup, a sort of death is experienced.
During this Easter season, we take time to reflect upon the meaning of Jesus’ death and resurrection. We are reminded that to follow Christ is to follow him who carried a cross and gave his life for the redemption of fallen man. We, too, are called to death and resurrection. And, I would submit to you this morning that now is a good time to take up the practice of death and resurrection in preparation for that ultimate experience when we take up permanent residence with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Death and resurrection are necessary. In the passage I read, Jesus points out that “now is the time for the Son of Man to be glorified.” It seems like a strange way to answer a request from the Greeks to see him. But, it does make sense that Jesus would recognize that his fame was in danger of spreading outside of the region to which He was called. Jesus was called to preach to the people of Israel, not primarily to the Gentiles. That would be the responsibility of the apostles. But, gentiles were starting to pay attention to him. Jesus faced the prospect of international fame. He realized that he could become bigger than nationalistic Israel, and perhaps out of the reach of the authorities. He would be in danger of fulfilling his mission if he stayed longer than necessary on this earth.
Jesus Christ knew that his time had come to step aside to fulfill God’s plan, to redeem fallen man through the death of the Lamb and to pour out the Holy Spirit upon His followers so that they might preach the Gospel throughout the world. The apostles were to minister salvation to the Greeks who were asking to see Jesus.
My point is this: Death and resurrection is the means by which an insufficient life is discarded and a new life is given that brings a person closer to God and closer to fulfilling the specific purpose for his or her life.
How does that happen? It occurs to me that a life resurrection that brings one closer to God involves three simple things, Removal, Replanting, and Receiving.
I. Removal from an Inadequate Way of Life
A. Jesus had to move toward crucifixion because to stick around would be inadequate for fulfilling the purpose for which God anointed him.
i. First, Jesus was meant to be the sacrifice once and for all that would redeem sinful man. His death on the cross was necessary for the salvation of anyone who came to God by faith. Had Jesus not died, there would be no redemption from sin. Could our Lord have cast a vision of a world of peace and safety that would have brought the nations together under his leadership? Sure. But then, people would still die in their sins. There was a better way.
ii. Second, everything Jesus would be temporal in nature. Anything done for the betterment of this world benefits only for the generation of those who work at it. But, this world is destined for destruction. A new heaven and a new earth are in store. Jesus’ rule would have been inadequate for God’s purposes. The only way to fulfill God’s will was through sacrificial death.
B. The Scriptures provide plenty of examples of those whose separation from one way of life led them to a greater one.
i. Abraham was called away from his family, his social and financial security, to a place he knew nothing of.
ii. Jacob fled his family with nothing but his clothes with no assurance of ever returning and his only possession was his father’s blessing.
iii. Hagar was separated from her husband and sent away with nothing but God’s promise to increase her family as numerous as the stars in the heaven.
C. Death is separation that followers of Christ experience.
i. Often, they don’t have to do anything to receive this blessing. God simply orders their steps to bring them closer to Him.
ii. Satan should never get the credit for those painful experiences that bring people closer to the Lord. God does it because death ends the hold that mediocrity has on a believer.
iii. The job loss was part of God’s plan to bring you closer to Him. The divorce you didn’t want, the death that devastated you, the loss of reputation served to bring you closer to God and put you where God most wanted you to grow and produce fruit.
Transition: Death is separation that both removes a believer from being held hostage by fear and then brings him to a better place in God’s kingdom.
II. Replanting in a Better Place
A. For Jesus, the resurrection was literal. It brought him back into the throne room. But, for the. They, too, were brought to a better place.
i. They disciples were separated from Jesus, and thus were experiencing a death experience. Their leader was as gone. The one who gave them confidence was gone.
ii. On the other hand, the disciples were closer to God. Instead of following Jesus around, the Lord would pour His Spirit into them and would go with them. That is much more efficient than what the Lord could do by himself in a mortal body. Instead of being confused by the meaning of Jesus’ words, as they often were, they would hear from the Lord in ways that transcend language. Instead of being dependent upon the Lord, they would be independent to go throughout the world.
B. It is the pattern of our Lord to separate His people from a lesser life and lead them to a better life.
i. Joseph had nothing when he was separated from his family, but his better life was in Egypt, saving the known world.
ii. Abraham had nothing when he left his family to follow the Lord. Half the world claims him as the founder of their people.
iii. Jacob had nothing, but he returned a prosperous man.
C. Replanting is not an easy process.
i. Illustration: My grandfather raised gooseberry bushes in his garden. After his death, I wanted a bush of my own to remember him by. My father, a natural green thumb, cut a small branch off, handed it to me, and instructed me to stick it in some dirt. It seemed a bit simple to me, but I did what he said. I put the branch, which had plenty of leaves and even some berries on it, and put it into a large pot with rich soil. But, instead of growing, all the leaves and berries fell off. All that remained was a barren stick. I was discouraged, of course. However, I left the stick in the soil. A couple weeks passed when I noticed some buds on the stick. Then, branches grew. Now, I have a small bush that reminds me of my beloved grandfather growing in the pot.
ii. Death is painful, but the new life can be a lot of work. It may wear you down. It may be discouraging. Yet, in time you will prosper because you will be closer to God and learning to live in your new life.
III. Receiving the Lord’s Help
A. The Lord instructed the disciples to wait for him in Jerusalem until they had received the power of the Holy Spirit. Then, after they had received the Holy Spirit, they were chased out of Jerusalem by an intense persecution. Once again, they were experiencing a removal and replanting. However, the Lord was with them.
i. The disciples ministered with power.
ii. They spread the Gospel throughout the world.
iii. They preached with conviction
B. Receiving the Lord’s help is key.
i. Of course, prayer, Bible study and fellowship are important
ii. Receiving the Lord through others where He has planted you is vital.
iii. Illustration: At my place of work as a treatment specialist, asking for help is one of the key steps to recovery.
C. The Lord works through removal and replanting to cause you and I to become more intimate with Him.
i. He gives the same comforter that he promised to his disciples.
ii. He guides us into the truth just as he promised the disciples.
iii. He reveals His holy character to us just as he did with his original disciples.
Conclusion
I say all this with enthusiasm and hopefully with some inspiration. However, I am not lost to the fact that many people who believe in Jesus face removals from life, and aren’t happy to experience it. I know that feeling well. I don’t fault you for it because those experiences were often not voluntary for me. But, looking back can see Go career loss, or even the death of someone upon whom you depend for love and support. Let me comfort you with this thought, that after you have gone through the pain after the bloom of your life seems to have withered forever, the Lord will reveal Himself to you in greater ways. Your life will have greater and deeper meaning. You will be stronger and filled with hope.
