“What Makes A Hero: Life, Death, and Resurrection”

What Makes A Hero? The Death-Defying Ministry of Jesus Christ

“Life, Death, and Resurrection”

John 20:1-10 (New Revised Standard Version)

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples returned to their homes.

When Jesus had received the wine, he said, “It Is Finished.” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. -John 19:30

It is finished: Greek, Tetelestai- to complete or to fulfill.

Aramaic, Ho Mashálam– it is completed, it is made ready.

Passive form of Hebrew, Shalom– peace.

“It is finished” wasn’t the end of anything, but the beginning of everything.

In Jesus, we are worth more than anything this life can give, even death itself, because we have Resurrection.

Resurrection fills us with the understanding that there is good, there is evil, and there is God who outshines the darkest of places with infinite goodness.

Resurrection helps us understand that it’s not about being right and resisting what is wrong, but that we are called out to be holy people, a holiness that defies categories.

Resurrection isn’t for us or them, but for all, so that together we might be the body of Christ, so that together we might be Christ’s hands and feet in the world.

Resurrection reveals that the kingdom of God is a place where haves and have-nots understand the value of each other, and how that value is rooted in Christ, not in power or wealth or status.

Resurrection reveals that the teachings of old can be trusted, and they can be experienced in a new way. Being made new is not something we put on a timeline, but through our connection with Christ we are made new every day.

Resurrection shows that our life is not about waiting for Superman to right our wrongs, but to get busy building God’s kingdom.

Resurrection is what makes a hero.

We are what heroes are made of, because we are Resurrection people!

So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and WE do not know where they have laid him.” -John 20:2

We are all the “we” in the story.

Through grace we are part of God’s story!

Instead of dying for what we believe, the Resurrection invites us to live for what we believe.