Easter 3- The Theology of Christ’s Burial: Part II
1 Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures
Introduction
In our passage this morning Paul tells us that Christ’s burial no less than His crucifixion and His resurrection, is a matter of first importance. However, few Christians today can articulate the reason why.
Therefore, last week we began our study by asking why is Christ’s burial so important? And remember we found that Christ’s burial is a matter of first importance because it establishes an essential delay between the completion of salvation (on the Cross) and the reception of the full measure of its reward (at the Resurrection).
Not only that, we also found that this delay was not defined by judgment or any unsatisfied debt. That is, Christ did not suffer any further punishment or complete any unfinished aspect of our Salvation in the grave (it was “finished” on the Cross). Instead, Christ endured the grave under the promise that His victory on the Cross had utterly defeated death’s power and claim.
Therefore, by the end of last week’s sermon we had a delay that is defined by promise (not judgment).
This morning before we look at the significance of Christ’s burial, we have one more theological point to cover. We need to look at the grave itself (notice then, we have seen how Christ endured the grave. Now we need to see what Christ endured).
IV. What Christ endured- The Grave itself
A] In the grave Christ endured the full condition of the fallen world: that is, in the grave Christ endured the totality and the full extent (comprehensive and intensive) of what it means to live in this fallen world. How?
First, remember death defines the entire condition of this fallen world FN#1. Sin has brought death and decay to man spiritually, physically, relationally, and even environmentally. Simply put, man’s entire existence (inside and out) is defined by the death and corruption brought about sin.
Romans 5:17 by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, (see also Rom 8:20-21)
And where do we see the most complete expression of death? The grave.
Notice then, the grave is the most comprehensive expression of the world’s broken condition. Think about it: the grave is separation from God, it is separation from others, it is separation from this world, and it is even separation from the self. Therefore, when Christ endured the grave, He literally endured the full measure of the world’s condition FN#2.
Notice the result: when we step back and put it all together what we find is that Christ’s burial provides for a delay between the completion of salvation (Cross) and its full reception (the resurrection), a delay in which Christ (in the grave) endures the full condition of the fallen world under promise not judgment.
V. Significance of Christ’s Burial: so what is the significance of Christ’s burial for the Church today? Why does Paul say it is of first importance?
A] Notice at once: the pattern that Christ (our representative) established for us during Holy Week, the pattern of completion/delay/and full reception (Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday), is the very pattern that now defines the believer’s entire earthly existence FN#3.
1) Notice then: even though we are already fully saved, we do not yet experience the fullness of that salvation. Instead, there is a delay (a delay that is defined by the promise/reality that Christ has accomplished the whole of our salvation).
1 John 3:2 Beloved, now we are children of God, yet it has not appeared as yet what we shall be.
2) Not only that, it is this delay that defines every detail of our life, walk, and how we experience our relationship with God on this earth. In other words, it is not just that Christ’s delay establishes our own delay. It’s that the very manner of Christ’s delay (under promise) establishes the manner of our delay as well. Thus, while we experience the full conditions of this fallen world, we experience them for an entirely different reason than the world. The world suffers its conditions under judgement and separation. However, the believer endures these very same conditions not under the world’s judgement but under God promise, favor, and salvation FN#4.
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Now compare that to the witness of Scripture concerning what confronts the unbelieving world at every turn (inside and out).
Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,FN#5
Notice the Result: On Holy Saturday Christ passed through the grave thereby enduring the fullness of the world’s brokenness in order to secure our passage through the same and to insure that we too endure these conditions under promise. Simply put, while it may seem macabre, what this means is that we experience the whole of our salvation while on earth from the Tomb FN# 6 (i.e. in terms of the dynamics that Christ established in the grave on Holy Saturday). Thus, in this life, we are surrounded by death; but at the same time, we are ever under the absolute promise/security of life.
Philippians 2:15 prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world,
Bottom line: Christ’s burial establishes the very context of your whole existence on this earth. Between the completion of salvation (the Cross) and the reception of its full blessings (your own resurrection) there is a delay– a delay in which you endure the fallen world’s conditions and even its death, yet not under God’s judgment but under God’s promise that the whole of your salvation is secure and that your certain victory is already underway. In other words, God has established the very parameters/boundaries/ terms in which you encounter this world as His child (Rom 8:1-2).
One question remains. Why? What’s the point? Why have a delay at all? Next week we’ll find out.
Footnotes
1] It is not just that life eventually terminates in death. It is that death infects the whole process of living.
2] Notice the difference: from the incarnation all the way through His death on the Cross, Christ endured the full conditions of the fallen world in order to accomplish our salvation (He fulfilled for us, as one of us, all that God requires of us). However, on Holy Saturday, Christ once again endures the full conditions of the fallen world. However, this time, He does so under the promise that His salvation has already utterly defeated those conditions.
That is, Christ passes through the grave and the fullness of the world’s brokenness in order to secure our passage through the same and to insure that we too endure these conditions under promise. Simply put, Christ’s delay has secured the terms of our own delay.
3] In other words, if the Cross is the source of your salvation and the Resurrection is the content of that salvation (i.e. the new life that Christ accomplished for you), then Christ’s burial establishes the way you experience that salvation on earth.
4] Notice the result: during this delay, the Church suffers the actual conditions of the fallen world, even its death, yet not under judgment, but under God’s promises in Christ. Listen to the witness of Scripture concerning the believer:
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 5:1 Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Now compare that to the witness of Scripture concerning what confronts the unbelieving world at every turn (inside and out).
Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
John 3:36 “he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
Psalm 33:10 The LORD nullifies the counsel of the nations; He frustrates the plans of the peoples.
5] Once again we are reminded that while the Cross is the source of our salvation and the resurrection is the content of that salvation (i.e. the new life that Christ accomplished for us), Christ’s burial establishes the way we experience this salvation while on earth. Case in point: as we turn our attention to Christ’s Ascension and His reign, Christ’s burial is not the bases of that reign (Christ would reign as our head over all creation even if there had been no burial). However, Christ’s burial does determine the way we experience that reign while on earth as well as the way that Christ administers His reign in light of His people’s mission/delay. Notice then the way that Hebrews 2:8 talks about Christ’s reign in terms of the very delay that His burial established for His people:
Hebrews 2:8 Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet.” For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we do not yet see (i.e. recognize, realize, experience) all things subjected to him.
6] While this is certainly a sobering thought, it is also absolutely true. We experience the whole of our salvation while on this earth from within the context of and in terms of our interactions with a dying world. That said, this is also a point of great assurance once we remember that Christ has established the very grounds and purpose of our delay. Notice then how I Peter describes our salvation in terms of the pattern that Christ established for us
1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 in order to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept/protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials
We are already born again and already that salvation unfolds in us. In turn, we await the fullness of that salvation which is reserved in heaven for us. During this delay we suffer the conditions of a fallen world, distressed by various trials. However, we do so not under God’s rejection, disfavor, or judgment. Rather, we are kept/protected by the power of God as His children. In other words, the very pattern that Christ established for us during Holy week is what Scripture tells us we experience right now today- completion/delay under promise/full reception.