"The Resurrection: A Stumbling Block” Series

In Jesus Holy Name November 13, 2022

Text: Acts 21-25 Redeemer Lutheran

“The Resurrection: A Stumbling Block”

Over 50,000 people ran in the New York Marathon this past weekend. For 26.2 miles the streets were packed with runners as far as the eye can see. The air buzzes with nervous excitement. Runners are traversing the five boroughs, cheered on by spectators all along the route and millions of fans around the world.

In order to run in a marathon, one must endure months and months of training, pain and discomfort. Most runners will finish, but the 20th mile is where runners “hit the wall” and some just have to quit. Their bodies give out or they have lost their vision. There is one winner, people know that but they still run. Why?

The answer: People run marathons for charity, to loose weight, a personal challenge, others run for the ultimate “endorphin” high that many runners get. It is a bucket list challenge for many people. For some it is a life goal to brag about. For the past several months each Sunday we have been traveling with Peter and Paul through the book of Acts. We can see the finish line as we reach chapter 21-25.

The journey for Peter, Paul and their companions have not been easy. They, like Marathon runners, have endured hardship, disappointment, persecution, beatings, ship- wrecks, snake bites, arrests and prison.

Paul is on his way to Jerusalem. He knows he will be arrested. But he goes because he is committed to endure the pain and joy of telling the Jesus story to Gentiles.

Upon arrival in Jerusalem, there is another riot. Jews are beating Paul. He is rescued by the Roman guard but is given permission to speak to the crowd. Paul retells his conversion experience on the Damascus Road. As soon as Paul states that God loves the Gentiles…the riot begins again. The Roman commander arrested him for his own protection.

The next day he proclaims the story of the resurrection of Jesus before the Jewish

Sanhedrin to both Pharisees and Sadducees. In this chapter Paul may think he has it the “wall”. Will this arrest in Jerusalem be the end? Inside the walls of his prison, Jesus appears and said: “Take courage! Just as you have told my story in Jerusalem so you will tell my story in Rome!” Where there is life there is hope. The finish line is still ahead!

Jesus knows that the message of His resurrection can not be stopped. In the words of writer Walter Wink: “Trying to stop the message of the resurrection of Jesus is like trying to destroy a dandelion seed-head by blowing it in the wind.” Paul knows that in the final leg of his race he will be protected. Neither a Jewish prison, nor roaring storm that wrecks the ship on which Paul and his 276 fellow passengers are sailing…will stop the message of the resurrection from reaching Rome on the lips of Paul.

Philip Yancy wrote: We rightly celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. It is the day that changed history. In the apostle Paul’s words, “…. if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.”

Acts 23 takes place in the year 56-58 A.D. Paul is sent to the prison in Caesarea. For two years he is questioned and tells the story of the resurrection of Jesus.

Paul’s case has been referred to Agrippa by Festus who confesses he cannot understand the charges against Paul. With his Roman background Festus cannot comprehend why the Jews hate Paul and why Paul keeps talking about “a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive” (Acts 25:19). There in that one sentence is the whole problem of Christianity. Paul believed it, the Jews didn’t believe it, and the Romans couldn’t understand it. The Jews said Jesus was dead, Paul said he was alive, and poor Festus doesn’t have a clue. So he passes the case along to Agrippa for his review.

We should pause and consider here the position in which Paul now found himself. Every notable person in Caesarea, both Jew and Gentile, was gathered there, together with King Agrippa II and the Roman Governor. What a contrast between their splendid robes and sparkling jewels, and the poor, worn, shackled prisoner! But they are remembered only because of this chance connection with Paul.

The Rev. John Stott writes: “God had made a grand and glorious promise to the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, as well as to all Israel. That promise and hope was that they would become a blessing to all nations and all peoples on earth (Gen. 12:2-3). And in this chapter, Paul is standing before the Kings and rulers, both Jews and Gentiles.

The heart of God’s promise was the arrival of the Savior, who would appear through the Jewish line. With his coming He would make possible the resurrection of the dead. What a promise! Since mankind lost the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden people have desired forgiveness and the hope of eternal life.