Easter Changes Everything

I. Regaining Easter's Fresh Perspective

II. Easter Phenomena I: The Empty Tomb
Late and unreliable traditions? (Matt. 28:15, 1 Cor. 15:3-5)
Effect: Fear and confusion

III. Easter Phenomena II: Resurrection Appearances
Not a spirit! (Luke 24:37-39, John 20:19-20, 1 Cor. 15:35-57)
Effect: Fear turns to joy, silence to proclamation
Effect: Disciples reflect on Jesus using the OT and Jesus' life story

(C.H. Dodd, The Apostolic Preaching and According to the Scriptures)

IV. Easter Phenomena III: Teachings of the Risen Jesus
The risen Jesus is an authority on himself (Luke 24:44-48, John 14:26)

V. Conclusions from the Resurrection
1. Jesus is alive: the fundamental Easter confession of the Church
2. Jesus was right all along: resurrection is God's vindication of him

(It's a Wonderful Life)

3. Jesus is Lord (Phil. 2:11), demanding our total allegiance
4. Jesus has won (Rev. 1:18): God's love triumphs over sin's division

(Hans Urs von Balthasar, Mysterium Paschale;
John Thompson, Modern Trinitarian Perspectives)

5. The eschaton ("end-times") has begun
6. Resurrection is more than resuscitation (again, 1 Cor. 15:42-44)

Illustration: Grünewald's Isenheim Altarpiece

7. Resurrection confirms the materiality of salvation: thus sacraments
8. Thus cross-and-resurrection ground all Christian doctrine

Illustration: "I Know that My Redeemer Lives"