Death Isn’t Natural
— Saturday, April 3rd, 2010 —
On a Saturday long ago, our Lord Jesus was a corpse. This isn’t natural.
Problem is, death seems normal to us. Darwinian naturalism, along with most contemporary philosophies, assumes that death is the natural ending point to life. The Christian gospel insists otherwise, seeing death as an alien invader of the cosmic order, a curse from the Edenic fall, and a strategy of an enemy spirit to crush God’s image-bearing humanity (Heb. 2:14-15).
In Scripture, death is personified as itself an enemy, indeed the final enemy to be placed under the feet of a triumphant King Jesus (1 Cor. 15:24-26).
Death in all its forms, from animal predation to “natural” disasters to “old age” expiration, all point to the cold truth that God is not ruling the cosmos through his human mediators in the way he intended at the start.
In the present age, all people still grow old, get sick, and die. There is a sundering of the body from the soul, a violent act that tears at God’s original creational purpose of breathing his life into the man of the dust (Gen. 2:7). When a man dies, his flesh reverts back to the dust of the earth, a seeming contradiction of God’s creation.
There is one Man, however, who does not owe death as the wages of sin. He cannot be accused by the ruler of this age, because He alone has an untroubled conscience before the tribunal of God. He’s not a corpse anymore.
The resurrection of Jesus is the first wave of a counter-revolution that will turn back death’s tyranny and satanic rule forever.
Death isn’t natural at all.
I preached on this very topic last night at our Good Friday service. It is also the theme of the sermons I preached at the last few funerals I have done.
Thank you Dr. Moore for pointing out what is often overlooked in our Easter/Resurrection day celebrations.
In order to fully grasp the magnitude of Christ’s resurrection, we must first come to grips with his death. Pondering the implications of death as the result of sin (Rom. 6:23) will give all Christians a different perspective on why Christ’s resurrection is so important.
http://jesusmind.wordpress.com/2010/03/30/importance-of-death-before-resurrection/
Christ’s own disciples suffered real grief over the loss of their Rabbi. Although Jesus often predicted his death AND resurrection, the disciples did not fully comprehend his role as Son of God until after his death and resurrection.
The divinely legal penalty due for our sin was paid when God nailed the debt to the cross. All Christians were (past tense) dead in our sins. By God’s grace through his Son, we are free from that debt and made alive with HIM.
“13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.” Colossians 2:13-14
@Bryant Owens, Amen. Keep preaching!
“The resurrection of Jesus is the first wave of a counter-revolution that will turn back death’s tyranny and satanic rule forever.”
Now there is a battle cry if ever I heard one. I love battle cries. While we still live with the joyful hope of the abolition of death we are called to fight the good fight.
So while it is time to fight, let’s FIGHT by the Spirit! Pressing towards the goal of Jesus and settling for nothing less.
God used you to bless me Dr. Moore.
@Matt Taylor, Let’s fight indeed!
Dr. Moore,
I was thinking about my first Theology class @ SBTS this week as I was preparing this Sunday’s sermon. This very topic was so gripping as you taught on it class. Thank you for labors for the Bride of Christ!
I also rejoiced to see you preaching @ my home church FBC Clarksville recently!
Might see you in NYC soon,
Freddy T.
@Freddy T. Wyatt, I loved being at FBC Clarksville! Look forward to seeing you in Manhattan soon. Proud of you, RDM
Gives a whole new meaning to “Death is only the beginning” doesn’t it?
No, what’s really cool about this is that my pastor preached on how Jesus’s death on the cross was the climax of the universe, and things before that were drastically different than from how they are today. His point was that sin had been defeated, which is true, but in reference to this article it is the fact that death is affirmed to be unnatural with the removal of sin.In fact, not only that his death was unnatural, but his resurrection even more so.
Just shows how cool Jesus is. :)
Amen! thanks for this encouragement!