November 26, 2023 Text: 1 Corinthians 15:20-28
Dear Friends in Christ,
The concentration camp at Dachau was liberated on a Sunday in April 1945. One week later, Greek and Serbian Orthodox prisoners celebrated Easter in the camp barracks. Priests wore makeshift vestments over their blue and white striped prison uniforms. They sang the liturgy, read the Scriptures, and even recited a sermon by St. John Chrysostom – all without texts, all by memory. During the long years of suffering and anguish, these prisoners had never forgotten Christ’s resurrection victory over death and that it also set them free from death. Whatever was happening in their lives, they always knew that Easter meant something was still coming for them. Today, a Russian Orthodox chapel at the Dachau Memorial houses an icon of the resurrected Christ leading the prisoners out of the camp gates.
Every Sunday is a celebration of Easter, of Christ’s glorious victory over sin and death for us. But today, the Last Sunday of the Church YearI, is especially so, because the Last Sunday, pointing us to the Last Day, shows us where Easter is headed. What do I mean?
“WHERE IS EASTER HEADED?”
Easter brought forth the firstfruits. Jesus raised to life again. Yes, Jesus died on the cross, but his resurrection is an accomplished fact. What good news. But where is it headed? In the Old Testament Israel would offer the first gathering of wheat as a sacrifice to God. Still, they knew an entire harvest was still to come. The firstfruits were just the first of many fruits.
In the same way, Jesus’ resurrection will inevitably lead to the resurrection of all flesh. “In Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.” (v. 22). That’s Last Day, Judgment Day, the focus of this Sunday. All people will be gathered before Christ, the believers through Christ will have bodies raised, reunited with their souls, the resurrection of all flesh. What a day that will be for those, Paul says, “who belong to Christ.”
Christ was one of us. Walked in the way of human beings. The ancient Greek writer Callimachus once composed an epigram in which he commented: “Being a thief myself, I know the tracks of a thief.” Being a man himself, Jesus knew the tracks of a man. He knew work and rest. He experienced joys and sorrows. He understood that we humans have a problem with sin, and we can’t solve it. He knew sin would destroy humanity. So, He took the destruction on Himself. He knew the tracks of man led to death, and Jesus did, in fact, die. But being the Son of God, His tracks did not end in death, but rather out of the tomb to life again. He was raised up, and all those who belong to Him will also walk in tracks leading to eternal life.
Our resurrection to life will mean that death and all its allies are destroyed under Jesus’ feet. Death couldn’t hold Christ. Death cannot hold us. If death has no power, then on the Last Day, all enemies will be defeated.
Christ has defeated sin. Christ has defeated the devil and his demonic forces. The evil forces of the world are no more with the return of Jesus. We have nothing to fear.
But some do. Judgment will be horrible for those on the outside of the faith. An eternal fire prepared for Christ’s enemies. Their deeds will not save them. Their accomplishments mean nothing. They stand condemned.
For those of us belonging to Christ, death is defeated. Death is the last fruits of sin. Christ, the firstfruits of life, changes the end of the story. Is that where this is headed? Almost.
Finally, even Christ will be subjected to the Father. For Christ, the mission will be accomplished. Every need of God’s people in a fallen world met. Every enemy conquered. Christ will lay it all at His Father’s feet. Then things will once again be like they were at the beginning. God will be “all in all.” Will we need food, clothing, shelter? No, we will have God. Will we need love, comfort, relationships? No, we will have God. Will we need protection and deliverance? No, we will have God. Verse 24, “Then comes the end, when (Christ) delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power.”
This is where Easter has been headed. On this Last Sunday of the Church Year, a blessed fulfillment of Easter to you!
Amen.