Title: Resurrected Jesus Christ / Matthew 28:1-10
Contents
Manga is one of our country's oral folk songs, which is sung while carrying a bonus or burying the soil while compacting the soil. The lyrics have this to say.
“If I go now, when will I come? I will never come again.
Will it come back when the red beans that are ripe in the pot sprout?
Will you come back when the chicken boiled on the soban is fluttering?
It's a road that can't be returned after going once, isn't it?
I feel sorry for the last road of Bukmansan Mountain."
But listen to the biblical praise of resurrection.
“Behold, I tell you a mystery, that at the last trumpet all things will change in an instant, and at the sound of the trumpet the dead will rise again from immortality, and we will also change. When the perishable has put on immortality, and the mortal has put on immortality, death will be swallowed up with victory” (1 Corinthians 15:51-54).
It is said that there is a day when a person's death is not the red beans that are ripe in the pot, and the chicken that is boiled on the soban is not alive. The proof is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. That is why Christians all over the world celebrate Easter and celebrate the resurrection all over the world.
Jerusalem is said to be crowded with pilgrims from all over the world to celebrate 2-3 days before Easter. Greek peasants in black ties, Arabs in distinctive hoods, and Africans in flashy colored robes are beginning to noticeably increase. Israeli security forces, guarding against terrorism by Palestinian guerrillas along with overcrowded pilgrims, have set up strict vigilance throughout Jerusalem. The Easter celebrations that begin this way are carried around the world.
The Vatican reaches its climax when the Pope carries a wooden cross and marches through the city of Rome, carrying a 2m-long wooden cross weighing about 10kg and recreating the figure of Jesus while numerous believers light the way with torches. In the Philippines, a group of Christians recreates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
In China, worship is held while watching the sunrise from the top of the Great Wall in northern Beijing.
In Russia, thousands of devotees gather to worship on Easter Eve in Zakrosk, the home of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Countries in America and Europe gather in fields and hills before sunrise to worship, dance and sing at sunrise. They then march into the village singing prayers and singing Easter hymns. A cross decorated with flowers or Easter candles leads the procession. And they put on new clothes to show that newly baptized Christians have been resurrected to new life in Christ. Then they slaughter the lamb, the symbol of Christ, and make food for them to eat. Then, make colored eggs and decorate with lilies.
As such, Easter is a worldwide holiday. It proves what the Bible says, "Therefore there are so many witnesses around like a cloud" (Hebrews 12:1). Why is Easter such a global holiday?
1. Because the resurrection of Jesus is a historical fact.
The most striking feature of Christianity is the resurrection. There are many religions on this planet. And different religions have similar doctrines. Emphasizing ethics, emphasizing the punishment of merchant ships, and insisting on the afterlife. Doctrine like this is similar across religions. However, what cannot be found in other religions is the resurrection. The empty tomb where Jesus lay dead. This is evidenced by historical relics. Suppose the resurrection of Jesus is a myth or legend. Where are the legends or myths that people around the world believe and follow? Also, if people in uncivilized countries believe in the resurrection of Jesus, they can see it as their ignorance. However, Christianity, which believes in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, is blooming in so-called developed countries where rational logic is a lifestyle. This is because the resurrection of Jesus Christ is an undeniable historical fact.
2. Because the resurrection of Jesus is the proof that he has overcome the world.
There are many scary things in this world. Which of these is the scariest? Death. In the face of death, everyone stings. The final threat is death. In the face of death, we have no choice but to give up everything and raise our hands. Jesus overcame the power of death that no one has overcome since the creation of the world. The risen Jesus becomes our shepherd. You are our friend. You are our king. Jesus, who overcame the power of death, said, "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your hearts. The yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). It is safe to live under the protection of the powerful who overcomes all things. There is rest.
Wouldn't it be great if a traveler in the hot desert could find the cool shade of a tree that blocks the sun and rest under it? The resurrected Jesus is our shadow. “The Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun by day will not harm you, nor the moon by night” (Psalm 121:5-6).
How much would you be grateful if a kind-hearted driver could load you with a heavy load and you are struggling on a rough road? He is the resurrected Jesus. “Cast all your anxieties on the Lord, for he counsels you” (1 Peter 5:-7). It is Jesus Christ, who overcame death, who came into this world to lighten the burden of those who are struggling with the burden of various worries and anxieties.
3. Because the resurrection of Jesus proves that physical death is not the end.
One day, according to a survey of Christian consciousness in a certain daily newspaper, 54.9% of people believed that "heaven is in this world". More than half of them are seeking only the satisfaction of this world rather than believing in the resurrection and the afterlife. This is an incorrect perception.
Jesus came into this world to show that the kingdom of heaven exists.
Jesus died on the cross in order to forgive our sins and to make us the people of the kingdom of heaven.
The reason Jesus rose from the dead was to prove clearly that the kingdom of heaven exists.
The Bible records the encounter with the resurrected Jesus ten times. It is said that about 500 saints watched the final ascension (1 Corinthians 15:6).
The French thinker Pascal said, "As long as I believe in God's creation of all things, I have no doubts about the resurrection of Jesus and his virgin birth."
“The shorter the sermons on Easter and Christmas, the better,” said theologian Karl Balt. This means that there is no need to argue with the facts.
The resurrection of Jesus is the resurrection of us who believe and serve Him. Faith makes Christ and I an inseparable relationship. Christ is the head, and those who believe are his members. Just as the head and the body are indivisible, so is the relationship between Christ and the saints. Therefore, the resurrection of Christ is our resurrection.
Regarding this, the Bible says, "Behold, I tell you a mystery, that we will not all sleep, but at the last trumpet we will all be changed in an instant, and at the sound of the trumpet, the dead will live incorruptibility, and we will be changed." (1 Corinthians 1 Corinthians) 15:51-52). This is a place of real rest. It is a place of true peace. It is a very satisfying place. This is the true hope of the saints. He who knows that this place exists does not love the finite world. We live longing for the eternal kingdom of heaven. Whoever knows that this place exists does not love an imperfect world. Because we know that there is a perfect heaven. There are countless martyrs who gave up their lives to enjoy the glory of this heavenly kingdom.
Let me finish my speech.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a historical fact.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the proof that he has overcome the power of death.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is proof that physical death is not the end.
I pray that this precious faith in the resurrection will be assured above all of us.