Theology of Christ’s Burial: Part III
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. Therefore, over the last couple of weeks we have asked why? Why is Christ’s burial so important?
Now so far we have found that we can summarize the importance of Christ’s burial in just three words (there are just 3 words that you need to remember):
The first word is Delay: Christ burial established a delay between the completion of salvation (the Cross) and the reception of its full reward (the resurrection).
The second word is Promise: during this delay in the grave, Christ endured the full condition of the fallen world (not under the world’s judgement but) under the promise/assurance that the Cross has completely defeated sin and death.
Thus, we have a delay that is defined by promise.
Finally, the third word that explains the importance of Christ’s burial is Pattern: the pattern that Christ (our representative) established for us during Holy Week, the pattern of completion/delay/and full reception, is the very pattern that now defines the believer’s entire earthly existence.
Think about it: between the completion of your salvation (the Cross) and the reception of its full blessings (your own resurrection) there is a delay -a delay in which you endure the conditions of a fallen world and even its death, yet not under the world’s judgment but under the security of God’s promise and salvation.
Simply put, on Holy Saturday Christ established the very terms in which you encounter this fallen world as His child.
This morning we need to ask one final question: Why? If our salvation is complete; if there is nothing more needed for our redemption, why have a delay at all? What is the point?
VI. What is the Point- If our salvation is complete; if there is nothing more needed for our redemption, then why have a delay at all? What is the point?
A] What the reason is not: first, it is vital that we recognize that our delay is not happenstance or arbitrary. In other words, it is not just the way things fell out. Remember, God is not bound or limited by creation. Instead, God is the Creator, Sustainer, and Lord of all, whose plan determines and establishes all that is.
Ephesians 1:11 In Him we also have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will FN#1
Simply put, it is God, not happenstance, that determines every aspect of our salvation (and that includes our delay).
At the same time, neither is our delay a salvific necessity. That is, our delay does not contribute/provide anything that is lacking from salvation in order for it to be complete.
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
In other words, theologically speaking, there is nothing outstanding that is keeping us from being in heaven right now (i.e. that necessitates our delay). In fact, Jesus specifically says this very thing to the Father,
John 17:15 “I do not ask Thee to take them out of the world
Why does Jesus say this? The reason is that God very well could have immediately taken us out of the world because our salvation is fully accomplished FN#2.
Notice the result: what this means is that delay is neither happenstance nor is it a theological necessity for our salvation. Instead, our delay is a deliberate, intentional part of God’s plan/design for His people that Christ purposely and specifically established for us through His own delay on Holy Saturday.
B] So what is the point: As we listen to Scripture what we find is that there are several reasons our delay is so vital FN#3. However, the number one main reason (under which every other reason is subsumed) is that our delay provides the essential context necessary for the believer’s witness/work/mission. How?
John 17:15 “I do not ask Thee to take them out of the world (delay), but to keep them from the evil one (promise). 18 “As Thou didst send Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world (reason/point). FN#4
Importance: remember the grace that saves you is a grace that changes you so that you can have an active/actual role in your Father’s Kingdom. Not only that, it is this firsthand share in Christ’s Kingdom labor that will prove to be one of the biggest blessings of the new life that God has given us FN#5.
Job 1:9 Then Satan answered the LORD, “Does Job fear God for nothing? 10 “Hast Thou not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? (Also Jn 6:26-27 FN#6)
1 Peter 3:15 always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you,
Notice the point: without the believer’s delay there would be no mission of the Church. However, just as God did not abandon you, neither has He abandoned those around you. Instead, He has blessed us who know His grace and mercy firsthand with an active part in their rescue. At the same time, without the manner of our delay (under promise not judgement) there would be no success of our mission. In other words, without God’s grace, presence, and new life already at work in us and through us we would have nothing of value to offer nor the ability to offer it.
Bottom Line: Christ’s burial establishes the very context of your whole walk/ existence on this earth. Between the completion of your salvation (the Cross) and the reception of its full blessings (your own resurrection) there is a delay. A delay in which the believer is sent into the world, enduring its conditions and even its death; yet not under God’s judgment but under God’s promise; in order that each believer may take an active part in Christ’s glorious work of redeeming the world. FN#7/8
Footnotes
1] I think that it is interesting that while this passage is comprehensive in its application (not limited to the topic of delay per say), Paul poignantly addresses the topic of God’s sovereignty from within the context of our delay. In other words, our delay is the backdrop of this discussion. Notice then Paul begins: “In Him we also have obtained”. At once there is the Cross and the utter completion of our salvation. It is something that we have obtained. It is already ours. Paul then goes on to say, “In Him we also have obtained an inheritance” There is the fullness of our salvation that awaits us, that is reserved in heaven for us, and is ready to be revealed. However, notice the delay. We do not yet experience the fullness of this salvation (even though it is already ours in its completeness and already at work in us). Instead, this fullness is described as an inheritance, as something that awaits us. Finally, for the remainder of the passage, Paul goes on to describe God’s Lordship over (and thus the absolute security/certainty of) the entire process of our salvation. From beginning to end, our salvation is in God’s hands and according to His plan with exacting precision and purpose.
2] Notice then, we began our study by asking, “If the Cross fully paid the death and judgement of sin, why was Christ in the grave and under death at all?” In the same way, we could also ask, “Why is the believer in the world and under the conditions of death and judgement if the Cross fully removed these?” In both cases the answer is the same: delay is neither happenstance nor a theological necessity (it adds nothing that is missing from the Cross). Instead, delay is a deliberate, intentional part of God’s plan for His people that Christ purposely established for us as our representative on Holy Saturday. Not only that, this delay will prove to be the source of many of the greatest blessings that God has given us as a part of our salvation [see footnotes #8-9 below].
3] As we listen to Scripture what we find is that there are several reasons our delay is so vital. Not only that, what we will also find is that this delay is the source of many of the greatest blessings that God has given us as a part of our salvation. However, before we look at several of these reasons/blessings, it is important to note that each one occurs during and takes its place within the context of the Church’s mission (which is the single main reason for our delay). Here are just a few examples of why our delay is so vital:
a) Our delay allows us the opportunity to understand the enormity of our salvation by giving us an active part in the process of working it out
Philippians 2:12 work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 because it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
b) Our delay also provides us the space to unlearn/retrace firsthand the steps of disobedience and mistrust that led to the fall. Thus, here we find such biblical notions as the discipline, correction, and training that we undergo during this life.
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.
Hebrews 12:11 All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.
c) Delay means that our sufferings and trials are not forever nor are they pointless or in vain. Rather, God has established the very terms and purpose under which His children encounter this fallen world. As such, delay insures us that, even amid frustration and difficulty, God is in control, His presence and favor are with us, and His purpose governs every aspect of our life.
1 Peter 1:5 you are 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
Psalm 110:1 The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand, Until I make Thine enemies a footstool for Thy feet.” 2 The LORD will stretch forth Thy strong scepter from Zion, saying, “Rule in the midst of Thine enemies.”
d) Because God’s purpose has established and defined the entire purpose of our delay, this delay then calls us to completely revise our priorities, pursuits, and understanding of this life, thereby syncing/realigning them with the reality that Christ put in place for His people on Holy Saturday. Thus, our assessment of this life cannot blindly adopt that of the world around us. We are here on completely different terms, for a completely different reason, and with a completely different trajectory/future.
1 Corinthians 7:29 But this I say, brethren, the time has been shortened, so that from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none; 30 and those who weep, as though they did not weep; and those who rejoice, as though they did not rejoice; and those who buy, as though they did not possess; 31 and those who use the world, as though they did not make full use of it; for the form of this world is passing away.
1 John 2:15 Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God abides forever.
e) Delay must provide grounding, comfort, and hope amid tragedy. Thus while we endure the world’s conditions, even its death, the worlds conditions are not what is most true about us or our future
John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die.
1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him. 11 Therefore encourage one another, and build up one another, just as you also are doing.
Thus amid tragedy and grief we have the deeper assurance that Jesus has already walked this way, that His footsteps have made a pathway through, and that He will receive us home.
Revelation 1:18 I am the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades (the grave).
Revelation 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, “Write, ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!'” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them.”
f) Finally, one last point: notice that our delay ends exactly as Christ’s delay ended- for we have been included in Christ and the pattern of completion/delay/full reception that He established for us on Holy Week (Rom 6:3-5).
1 Corinthians 15:52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.
4] Notice then, not only has God provided us with a grace that enables us to take part in the things that delight His heart, on Holy Saturday, our savior carved out the space in which our participation on this earth can take place. In addition, He also established the boundaries and parameters in which we engage this world as His children (not under the world’s judgment and separation but under our Father’s promise, salvation, and favor).
5] There is another major significance to the delay that Christ has provided. And although I am putting it here in the footnotes it is extremely important. By establishing the context for our mission, the delay that Christ provides allows us to share in Christ’s work firsthand.
1 Peter 4:13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing;
Importance: remember the grace that saves you is a grace that changes you so that you can have an active/actual role in your Father’s Kingdom. Not only that, it is this firsthand share in Christ’s Kingdom labor that will prove to be one of the biggest blessings of the new life that God has given us. Notice then, not only do we have a High Priest who can relate to us in all things (Heb 4:15), our High Priest has a people who in turn can relate to Him. That is, by sharing in His labor/toil as we struggle against our own sin as well as when we confront/witness to/minister to the brokenness of the world around us, we come to understand the enormity of what Christ accomplished for us. The result is a shared intimacy in our relationship with God that is truly sacred.
Hebrews 2:11 For both He who sanctifies (Christ) and those who are sanctified (believers) are all from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren,
Philippians 3:8 I count all things to be loss 10 that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; 11 in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
6] Note:
John 6:26 Jesus answered them and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves, and were filled. 27 “Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man shall give to you, for on Him the Father, even God, has set His seal.”
While the passage in Job demonstrates the world’s dismissiveness of faith were the believer’s life to be nothing but easy (“you wouldn’t be so quick to believe and praise God if your life was as hard as mine”), the passage in John shows us the converse. If salvation guaranteed that life was nothing but easy and trouble free, then the world might readily embrace Christ for the outward blessings while missing the true point of the inward.
Finally, it is worth noting that Jesus makes the very point we are making about the relevance of believers to the world. In John 16:8-10. Jesus says that when the Holy Spirit comes, He will convict the world concerning righteousness. Then Jesus says something that at first glance seems unusual. He says that the Spirit will convict the world concerning righteousness “because I go to the Father and you no longer behold me”
John 16:8 “And He [the Holy Spirit], when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin, and righteousness, and judgment…. 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you no longer behold Me;
In other words, the Holy Spirit will point to the believer’s faith and faithfulness amid the very real difficulties of this fallen world as a warning, offer, and sign of the reality of the Gospel at work in those very believers’ lives. Simply put, it is the believer’s faith and faithfulness amid the trials of delay that provide relevance and serve as a key backdrop for the Spirit’s witness.
7] Notice, we are now able to clearly articulate why each of the three items that Paul has given us is a matter of first importance to our faith:
Thus, we have the How of Salvation (the Cross), the What of Salvation (the Resurrection), and the Manner of Salvation (the Grave).
Not only that, we now see the enormous reason and blessing of this delay: notice then, the point of our delay is that, as God’s grace truly changes us, He gives us an active role in His Kingdom work of redemption (a work so precious to Him that He sent His own Son to establish it). In fact, it is by means of this missional delay that we are given to share directly in that which is most true, dear, and expressive of the very heart of God. Not only that, the result of all of this will be a shared intimacy in our fellowship with the divine Trinity that is beyond all value or expression.
In the end, it is this delay (its purpose, its manner, and its terms) that now define the believer’s entire existence and walk with God while on this earth.
8] What a great way to prepare to enter the days of Rogation, when we will ask God to pour out His Holy Spirit on us so that our walk and ministry may be fruitful. We do so knowing that during Holy week, God not only delivered us from our past (on the cross) and prepared us for our future (in the resurrection) but also provided for our present (on Holy Saturday)- as He established the conditions necessary for His people’s work and witness.
Epilogue
Genuine and prolonged struggle, real and true advances by darkness, do not mean that God has abandoned you or that His plan has faltered. Instead, God has intentionally and deliberately provided the manner in which you encounter your salvation while on this earth. And while this manner involves you enduring the real conditions of this world, you do so as His child and under His promise and favor. Not only that, this delay provides the space for one of the biggest blessings of the new life: it allows you an actual and active part in God’s Kingdome work (inside and out).
Notice the result: notice the comfort and assurance: weather we are in a martyr’s prison cell, or an oncologist office, or an unemployment line when we look down, we see the footprints of Christ, that He has already passed this way before and has established our pathway through. In turn, when we look up, we see the canopy of God’s favor and salvation covering us every step of the difficult way, ensuring that His purpose and our victory are already certain. Finally, when we look within, we find the presence of God and the new life of Christ already with us and already at work in us. Indeed, on earth we encounter the whole of our existence and every aspect of our walk with God from within the dynamics of the tomb and Holy Saturday. However, though we are surrounded by death, we ever filled with life and light and salvation.