“This isn’t abstract theology; it’s the promise that the same divine power that conquered death is at work in our lives amid our daily struggles. . . . The challenge is that we focus so much on [the resurrection’s] personal meaning that we miss something equally important: The resurrection is the linchpin validating Jesus’ messiahship.”- Kyle Idleman and Mark E. Moore
“And his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead.”- Ephesians 1:-19-20 (NIV)
As Kyle Idleman and Mark E. Moore move on in Chapter 9 of The Missing Messiah, they note one significant Jewish tradition for the Messiah. That the Messiah would not die but live forever. In addition, this expectation was rooted in Scripture (see Psalm 16:10, Psalm 102:27, and Isaiah 9:7).
Consequently, when Jesus began to speak about His coming death, His disciples reacted in horror. Above all, even after three years with Jesus hearing His predictions of His death and resurrection, the disciples failed to reconcile the idea of a dying Messiah with their expectations.
Therefore, Jesus’ crucifixion shattered their messianic hopes. Hence, as Kyle and Mark explain:
“If Jesus had died and stayed dead, he would be just another failed Messiah pretender, one of many who rose and fell in first-century Palestine. His teachings might still be reliable, his example still inspiring, but his claim to be the Messiah would be invalidated. The death and resurrection of Jesus resolved this paradox once and for all.
First, Jesus died in the most public, undeniable, humiliating way possible. In addition, crowds witnessed His execution, professional executioners confirmed it, and Roman officials certified it.
Second, Jesus satisfied the Jewish understanding of death. Because Jewish tradition considered a person irrevocably dead after three days. With revival an impossibility.
Today’s question: How do you respond to people who see Jesus’ resurrection as abstract theology? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “A personal benefits package?”