Resurrection Matters

1 Corinthians 15:1-26, 51-57

 “Resurrection Matters”

08 May 2106 St. Andrew’s Military Chapel Singapore

            I think it’s safe to say that Paul is definitely one who believes in the importance of the resurrection. So much so that we need to really ponder our thoughts on the resurrection and then how our theological view of resurrection affects how we live our daily lives.

            Paul just comes right and out says if there is no resurrection then there is no good news, no Gospel, no church. Earlier in the letter to Corinth he states the importance of the cross and Christ’s death, something we discussed a few weeks ago. Now he bookends this letter with the ultimate importance of the second act of the Passion/Easter story, resurrection.

            Paul has sensed that the church in Corinth has a bit of a superiority complex. They are so smart they feel they have already been resurrected spiritually and have already made it into the Kingdom. It almost seems as if a bodily resurrection is beneath them. It’s crass and embarrassing. Who needs bodies when you are spiritually elite? I mean once you’ve reached the spiritual enlightenment of Christ you don’t need to go through what he endured, right?

            There is a danger in viewing resurrection as an allegory, a mere object lesson. This may lead us to think that “the resurrection of Jesus is a wonderful metaphor for the spiritual change that God works in the lives of those who posses knowledge of the truth. ‘Resurrection’ symbolizes the power of the Spirit that we experience in our wisdom and our spiritual gifts. But the image of resuscitated corpses is only for childish fundamentalists. Those of us who are spiritual find it repugnant.” (Richard Hays, Interpretation Series p260)

            When we view our bodies as just vessels that carry spirits, as meaningless in the long run, then we lose focus about our role in God’s plan for humanity and creation. Because what we do with our bodies and with and to creation matters.

            Just imagine a world where bodies didn’t really matter. We’d live in a world where trafficking slaves didn’t make our blood boil. Where physical harm of another wouldn’t engender a want of revenge or any fear of punishment. A world where MLK’s dream of everyone getting an equal chance would only stay in one’s mind. A word where no one mattered because their physical existence didn’t matter.

            Paul tells us that more than just our spiritual self will be resurrected and redeemed. Because of this what we do in the here and now matters. We aren’t allowed to sit around, look at the world say, “Good thing I’m saved,” and let others work to solve the mess. Our bodies matter just as much as our spiritual lives so we need to also use our bodies to bring about the Kingdom.

            Even though we have no idea how it will happen, we know that our bodies will be resurrected. Christ was resurrected not replaced. Christ’s body wasn’t replaced with a newer model, it was brought back in its fullness. The disciples may have taken a few moments to realize it was Christ standing before them, but Christ’s resurrected body was still Christ standing there in the flesh teaching the disciples how to spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

            So what would it look like to actually believe in a bodily resurrection? We’d take care of our bodies as best we can, realizing that physical illness and injury don’t necessarily mean someone isn’t taking care of their body. Sometimes we get sick and hurt through no fault of our own. We’d live lives of moderation where we don’t overindulge. I once heard that the seven deadly sins of gluttony, lust, greed, pride, envy, wrath, and sloth were so detrimental because they are sins of excess.

            Beyond just taking care of one’s own body, believing in a bodily resurrection calls us to stand up for the protection of the bodies of our neighbors. That may include going on mission trips to places that protect people from bodily harm, and there are many opportunities for that here in Southeast Asia. Possibly one could teach yoga or be a fitness instructor as a ministry to the power of a bodily resurrection. Perhaps one is discerning a call to be a nurse, doctor, or work in hospice. All of those professions honor the body and speak a theology of resurrection to the world.

            But, we’re not limited to just these. Donating to causes that further a theological statement about caring for our physical bodies is a way to proclaim the Gospel. Living an example of how to care of the physical health of one’s self and others on a daily basis is an evangelistic act. Teaching people proper bathing techniques and other sanitary practices. Providing clean water and stable food sources is a theological proclamation about the importance of the body. Gardening and farming are theological statements.

            There is a wide range of things that proclaim a theology of the importance of our body and the future resurrection, not replacement, of our bodies. Let us not be like the church in Corinth and think that taking care of our bodies and the bodies of others doesn’t matter. That kind of thinking leads us down a path to where we start to believe that if our bodies don’t matter, resurrection doesn’t matter. Or worse, that Christ’s resurrection was just an allegory.

            Resurrection is vital to our faith. For if there is no resurrection, there is no conquering of the world. If there is no resurrection, there is no conquering of earthly powers. If there is no resurrection, dictators win. If there is no resurrection, evil and sin have the last word. If there is no resurrection Quoheleth was correct when he lamented in Ecclesiastes that all is vanity. If there is no resurrection, darkness cannot be overcome. If there is no resurrection, Christ was just another false prophet executed by the state to prevent rebellion. If there is no resurrection, Christianity makes no sense. If there is no resurrection, then death is the final answer, the end. If there is no resurrection, there is no hope.

            Resurrection provides the hope we need to ignite and fuel our faith. Faith that keeps us going in spite of everything the world throws at us. Faith that gives us the courage to follow Christ when people say we are crazy for doing just that. Faith that destroys our fear of death and lets us set our sights on something much greater than ourselves. Faith that drives us to care for not just our fellow travelers, but for the creation in which we live. Faith that is the light eternally glowing brightly in the darkness such that it can’t be overcome.

Resurrection gives us hope which gives us faith and energizes the church to do Christ’s work in the world. We all need grace and resurrection is ultimate grace. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? Indeed!