The gospel is summarized in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. The Apostle Paul writes, “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,” (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). Here, three components of the gospel message are presented in apparently equal significance. This presents a potential difficulty because there is very little in the New Testament, especially the Epistles, that demonstrates the theological significance of the burial of Christ.
The death of Christ is the means by which we receive atonement (Romans 5:12; Colossians 1:22). We have hope, spiritual victory and power to live for God through the resurrection of Christ (Romans 1:4; 1 Corinthians 15:50-58; Philippians 3:10; 1 Peter 1:3). But what great theological truth is contained in the burial of Christ? It seems out of place to include his burial on equal footing with the death and resurrection, as Paul does in his summary statement of the content of the gospel.
Why does the Apostles Creed include, “Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: The third day he rose again from the dead.”
What raises the BURIAL of Christ to be included at the same level as the DEATH and RESURRECTION of Christ?
The answer is found in Matthew 12:38-42.
The burial of Christ confronts us with the clear reality of his death and resurrection. The burial of Christ ensures that we accept the historicity of his death and resurrection.
Jesus brings us face to face with the reality of his death in his response to the questioning of the Pharisees. His answer to their question applies to us today.
I. What Do You Want from Jesus?
The Pharisees wanted a SIGN (Matt. 12:38). Christ had already performed MANY miracles.
The setting for this interaction with the Pharisees takes place in CAPERNAUM, where Jesus had performed many miracles.
He healed a man with a WITHERED HAND (Matt 12:9)
He healed a DEMON POSSESSED man who was blind and mute (Matt 12:22)
He performed MANY OTHER MIRACLES in Galilee (Matt 11:21-24)
But These weren’t the signs they were looking for! They wanted PROOF that Jesus could solve their POLITICAL problems. The “miracle” they were looking for was the ability to overthrow Rome. Perhaps they would be impressed if Jesus could turn a stone into a chariot, or a blade of grass into a spear.
The people of Galilee had ALREADY REJECTED Jesus.
The Pharisees were seeking to kill him. Matt 12:13-15. They attributed his healing work to the Devil. Matt 12:22-24
Jesus was rejected by his OWN FAMILY (Matt 13:53-58)
Before we condemn the Jews of Capernaum too quickly, let us realize that we are often little different from them. Even today, people want a JESUS of their own making
For example, take a look at paintings of Jesus. It’s amazing how much JESUS looks like the people and culture of the painter! Examine the paintings of Jesus and you will find Black Jesus, Chinese Jesus, white European Jesus. We cast Jesus in our own image.
When Jesus answers the Jews who said, “show us a sign that we might believe,” Jesus replies to those seeking SELF-MADE RELIGION. The answer that Jesus gives is that we should consider the REALITY of his coming DEATH.
II. What You Must Face if you Want to Know Jesus.
“He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” (Matthew 12:39–40, NIV84)
Jesus condemns Man-made religion.
The word “wicked” reveals the sinful moral behavior of these people.
“Adulterous” demonstrates that they were unfaithful to God.
This phrase “wicked generation is used 3x in this context.
It is used in Matthew 12:39
It is also used in Matthew 12:41 “The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one greater than Jonah is here.” (Matthew 12:41, NIV84)
Finally, it is used in Matthew 12:42. “The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now one greater than Solomon is here.” (Matthew 12:42, NIV84).
The significance is that The PAGANS of Ninevah repented at Jonah’s preaching. The PAGAN Queen of Egypt recognized Solomon. But the Jews of Jesus day had a more powerful representative - the very Son of God - and they failed to believe!
It causes us to ask, “How shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?” Heb 2:3
Jesus Confronts us with the reality of His death. “No other sign....”
What is the significance of invoking the story of Jonah to confront the religious leaders? No other OT story finds as many naturalistic explanations than JONAH
Some say the story of Jonah is allegory
Some say the story of Jonah can be naturally explained
But it is nothing other than a miracle
Jesus points to his DEATH as the only hope for a relationship with God.
He affirms the REALITY of his death by pointing out that he will be BURIED for 3 days! 3 days = any portion of three days.
This eliminates several possibilities
1. The JEWS spread the rumor that his disciples stole his body
2. MUSLIMS believe that Jesus didn’t die
3. Some say that he “revived” in the cool tomb
One lady wrote in to a question and answer forum. "Dear Sirs, Our preacher said on Easter, that Jesus just swooned on the cross and that the disciples nursed Him back to health. What do you think? Sincerely, Bewildered. Dear Bewildered, Beat your preacher with a cat-of-nine-tails with 39 heavy strokes, nail him to a cross; hang him in the sun for six hours; run a spear thru his side… put him in an airless tomb for 36 hours and see what happens. Sincerely, Charles. Contributed by: A. Todd Coget
So, which Jesus do you believe in?
III. Who is Jesus to you?
Illustration.... the book and movie, “Life of Pi”
This is a deeply religious film. The story opens with a discussion between a writer and a man from India who shares a fascinating story. The man has come to Pi because a friend told him that “Pi has a story that will make you believe in God.” Pi tells the story of his life, and a terrible tragedy that happens to him.
His parents are zoo-keepers. They board a freighter with all the animals to transporting them to Canada. While at sea, the cargo ship sinks and Pi escapes alone on a raft with four of the animals, including an adult Bengal tiger. He vividly tells the story of surviving on the raft, and that the Tiger was ultimately responsible for keeping him alive.
The story ends with Pi describing how officials from the shipping came to his hospital room to find out what happened and how the ship sunk. The officials didn’t believe his story of the tiger and animals stranded with him on the raft. Pi then offers them a different version of what happened.
The second version that he tells them is much more believable. In this version, four people made it off the sinking ship and onto the raft. One of them died horribly from his injuries and his flesh used for fishing bait. Another was killed by a mean cook. Pi’s mother was also killed by the cook and then Pi killed the cook and remained on the raft until he was rescued.
Pi then tells the writer the meaning of the story. Pi states, “I’ve told you two stories. Neither explains the reason for our horrible suffering. No one can proove either story. In both stories the results are the same. So which STORY do you believe?
“Life of PI” is not a movie made to tell you the story of a boy stranded on a boat with a tiger.
It is not a movie made to tell you the story of how a boy coped with the horrible experience of being shipwrecked.
It is a story to tell you why people believe in God.
To the world, people believe in God because believing makes their lives better.
But do not come to Jesus because believing makes you feel better or makes you a better person!
Believe in Jesus because you are a sinner and Jesus came here to die for you.
He wanted you to know for sure that he died for you by being buried for three days!
So, who is Jesus to you?
