I. Easter's Original Context Jesus is defeated: a blasphemer, a false prophet, a criminal.
The Father is implicated: approving, absent, powerless, indifferent, or bad.
The disciples are hopeless: the rules haven't changed after all.
II. Easter Phenomena
The Empty Tomb
(Not a late or unreliable tradition; see Matt. 28:15, 1 Cor. 15:3-5.)
Fear and confusion result.
Resurrection Appearances
(Not a spirit! Luke 24:37-39, John 20:19-20, 1 Cor. 15:35-57.)
Fear turns to joy, silence to proclamation.
Teachings of the Risen Jesus
The risen Jesus leads the Church to new awareness of his significance (Luke 24:44-48, John 14:26).
Disciples reflect further on Jesus using the OT and Jesus' life story
(C.H. Dodd, The Apostolic Preaching and According to the Scriptures).
The Gift of the Holy Spirit
Jesus' disciples receive his Spirit from the Father (Luke 24:49, John 20:19-23, Acts 2, Gal. 4:6-7, cf. 3:1-5).
III. The Church's Revolutionary Conclusions
Jesus is alive: the fundamental Easter confession of the Church.
Jesus was right all along: resurrection is God's vindication of him
(It's a Wonderful Life).
Jesus is Lord (Phil. 2:11), demanding our total allegiance.
"God is one, but not alone": God is triune
(Hilary of Portiers on John 20:28).
Jesus has won (Rev. 1:18): God's love triumphs over sin's division
(Hans Urs von Balthasar, Mysterium Paschale).
Resurrection is new creation, not resuscitation (again, 1 Cor. 15:42-44)
