JESUS’ RESURRECTION: THE MYSTERY AND THEOLOGY OF NEW HOPE BEYOND THE GRAVE

Preamble

“For the believer there is hope beyond the grave, because Jesus Christ has opened the door to heaven for us by His death and resurrection”. – Billy Graham. 

“Our old history ends with the cross; our new history begins with our resurrection” —Watchman Nee 

The birth, the death, and the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ were shrouded in mystery. In my last work on the mystery behind the birth of Jesus, I explained that “Mystery” is a religious truth that cannot be understood by the application of human reasoning alone without divine help. Thus, mystery, in this context, is a religious truth that goes beyond human cognition until there is divine aid. I also demystified and demythologised a great mystery behind the personality of Jesus Christ by considering His deity as God the Son and God-incarnate (John 1:14) by employing “Functional and Ontological Models” to elucidate my points (see here)

The inexorable trajectory of our Lord Jesus Christ towards the grave after the tragedy of the cross and His sudden rise among the dead from the sepulcher to live among the living at the rising of the sun in the early morning of the first day of the week encapsulates the trajectory of the life journey of everyone who believes that Jesus Christ is Lord. 

Thus, this paper focuses on the “Mystery and Theology of New Hope” as exemplified by our Lord Jesus Christ through His inscrutable resurrection from the grave. Though this work may seem to be academically theological, it is more spiritually or divinely inspired than academic. In Christian education, we are more pragmatic than theoretical. We give what secular education cannot provide because Christian education is real, practical, spiritually discerned, and divinely applied. Here, only the spiritual man can understand the things of the spirit. It is not within the confine of the natural man (1Cor.2:13-14). Hence, the discussion here goes beyond secularism or secular education. It is purely Christian theological education that is biblically based and Holy Spirit inspired. Therefore, anyone who reads this piece must be divinely connected. 

What is Hope?

What is Hope in this context? Hope, according to Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, is the trustful expectation with particular reference to the fulfillment of God’s promise. The Biblical definition of hope is quite different from that of the world’s perspective of the same concept. Biblical Hope is the expectation of a favourable outcome under God’s guidance. Hope is faith for the future (Rom.8:24-25; cf. Heb. 11:1). The Christian Hope is what is certain; it is both sure and steadfast but unseen (Heb.6:19). Hence, our God is the God of hope (1Cor.15:13). Thus, Biblical Hope is different from the world’s definition of hope that signifies a “feeling that what is wanted will happen”. The world’s perspective on hope is uncertain that a particular event will happen. The word hope in English often conveys doubt. Hence, we hear such expressions as “I hope so”; I hope the man will come” (we are not certain if the man will come). Conversely, Christian or Biblical hope is certain and true that that thing will happen. Christian Hope is like an anchor that holds the ship in a storm that is unseen because it is hidden in the depths of the sea. Thus, Christ our Hope is invisible now, having passed within the veil:

19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; 20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made a high priest forever after the order of Melchisedec (Heb. 6:19-20).

Kinds of Hope

We can now identify two different kinds of hope: 

1. The Natural or earthly Hope, and
2.  The Biblical or Spiritual Hope

The Natural Hope

Natural or Earthly Hope is a feeling of something we think will happen. It is a human feeling of what may likely happen – it is not certain – it may or may not happen. Earthly/natural hope is not reliable. It can fail or fade away. However, this hope is achievable if it is within the will of God. Thus, our natural or earthly hope needs God for its accomplishment. Although in the beginning this may seem to result in disappointment, discouragement, and even despair, when we hold on to the Lord, when we persevere, the hope will be realised. Your earthly or natural hope can be tested, but hold on to God for its realisation. They are temporal, they are transient. They are not eternal. Your earthly hopes may even be drained away or lost. For instance, your hope of getting married, having children, having a house, a car, securing a good job, travelling out, and so on may and may not be realized. But, if you are a Christian and, your hope is within the confine of the will of God, it may seem to be long, but it will come to the realisation. We should note that, as Christians, the loss of our natural hopes is not meant to leave us empty and despondent. They are meant to grow in us greater spiritual hope. Hence, Paul concluded in Romance chapter 8 that:

³⁴ Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. ³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ³⁶ As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. ³⁷ Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. ³⁸ For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, ³⁹ Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom 8:34-39).

The Biblical/Spiritual Hope

 Unlike natural or earthly hope, spiritual hope is God’s promise that is certain to happen. It is the trustful expectation with particular reference to the fulfillment of God’s promise. It cannot fail. It cannot fade. It will never disappoint us. It will only strengthen our faith, build us up, and sustain us because it is rooted in the Father’s love. This hope can only be found in Christ Jesus; it is entrenched in Him (Christ). The spiritual/biblical hopes are eternal things. The biblical hope is a reality and not a feeling. Biblical hope carries no doubt. It is a sure foundation upon which we base our lives, believing that God always keeps His promises. Though this may be eschatological, it is sure to happen; it is real. For example, the resurrection hope, the hope of rapture, the hope of getting to heaven, the hope of reigning with Christ, and so on, are all real and will surely happen.

The Mystery and Theology of New Hope 

 Jesus’ tragedy on the cross and His inevitable death seemed to have dampened the spirit of the people and shattered their hopes. But His resurrection gives a refreshing air of new hope.

The Theology of New hope is eschatological. The new hope begins with the resurrection of Christ (1Cor.15:12-20; Peter 1:3). But when the natural hope gravitates to spiritual hope, the new hope emerges with the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. This sounds more theological though, this new hope can only be found in Christ Jesus. He (Jesus) laid the foundation of new hope when He died for humanity and was resurrected on the third day. “For other foundation, can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”(1Cor.3:11). The Old Testament believers had the faith that one day the Messiah they hoped for would come to shed His blood and die and rise again. Today, the hope has been realised, which has given birth to New Hope in Christ through His resurrection. If you say Jesus is the New Hope, we are saying the obvious(1Tim1:1).

 Give your life to Him today.

Paul’s Theology of Resurrection: New Hope Beyond the Grave

The subject of death and hereafter or resurrection is central to the Christian faith. It is the epicentre of the salvation plan of God in human history. Thus, Jesus’ death and resurrection have powerful consequences for eternity and for now. Hence, the theology of new hope is eschatological.

Christian beliefs about life after death are purely predicated on the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Death is the physical termination of life due to the separation of body, soul, and spirit. Paul the apostle, dived into the theme of death and what happens when a man dies in the book of 1Corinthians 15 where he pointed out the philosophical views, or rather the bad theology of some people on the subject of death and resurrection. Some had even taught that there was no resurrection while many people had the belief that when a man dies his soul rests in the grave until Jesus comes again for the saints. In repudiating this bad theology, Paul, the apostle, argued in 1Cor.15:12-20 that: 

¹² Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? ¹³ But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: ¹⁴ And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. ¹⁵ Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. ¹⁶ For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: ¹⁷ And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. ¹⁸ Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. ¹⁹ If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. ²⁰ But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

No doubt, at the second coming of Jesus Christ, the bodies of those who die in Christ will rise again from the grave, and we will be—body and soul—complete in a new heaven and a new earth. This is new hope that when we die as believers we will definitely make it to heaven. Though eschatological, it is real. This has already been exemplified by Jesus Christ, our Saviour, who shows and leads the way.

Indeed, the whole idea behind the “theology of new hope” is the hope of the believers. It is the hope that changes us; it is the hope that changes our world; it is the hope that sustains and carries each believer through life. In the book of 1Peter1:3, the Bible says:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

”The Theology of New Hope” can be traced to the “Theology of Resurrection”. If Christ had not risen, our hope in Him of having eternal life would have been dashed. The book of 1Cor.15 elucidates this “Theology of New Hope”. In fact, if Christ had not risen, there would not be any foundation for our FAITH – Christianity would have been a mere human religion without any focus and hope. This distinguishes Christianity from other religions on earth. All the founders of other religions had died and had never risen from their dead. Buddha is dead; Mohammed is dead; Confucius is dead; other small gods that people worship are all dead including the mother of Jesus, mother Mary. But the one who created the heaven and the earth, who owns the key to death and life, our Lord Jesus Christ, is alive today. Hallelujah!

Only the living can save the living, Jesus is alive today, we have hope of salvation. If we die, we have the hope of resurrection to eternity – there is hope beyond the grave, beyond this life, beyond what we can imagine. If there is no resurrection, we have no foundation to build our faith, the word of God becomes useless, our preaching and teaching are vain, and our lives will be miserable. But the resurrection of our Lord has given us the NEW HOPE that if we die, we will resurrect and reign with him(Christ).

No doubt, the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is the proof and power of Christianity. It is the guarantee that death has been conquered for everyone (including you and me) who trusts in Him. Praise the Lord! No wonder Apostle Paul, towards the concluding part of his work on the subject of death and resurrection, gives this magnum opus with his memorable line:

… Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (1Cor.15:54-55).

My question is: How prepared are you for Jesus’ return?

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HAPPY EASTER CELEBRATION

Since our focus is on the person of Jesus Christ our Lord vis-à-vis the New Hope He brought to us, this author, Pastor Dele Ilesanmi, also writes on the following topics:

1. Jesus: The Hope of Good News
2. Jesus: The Gospel Hope`
3. Jesus: The Hope of Salvation
4. Jesus: The Hope of Safety
5. Jesus: The Hope of Eternal Life
6. New Hope in Christ
7. New Hope of Resurrection

Related articles by Pastor Dele Ilesanmi:

1. Prepared for the Lord’s Return?
2. Jesus’ Birth(1): Demystifying the Great Mystery of a Great God
3. Jesus’ Birth (2): Reflections On Christmas, New YearProgrammes
4. Beyond Transactional Prayer: Deep Reflections On The Birth Of Jesus Christ         And The Need For A Paradigm Shift In Christian New Year’s Resolutions
5. Power of Resurrection

For more interesting articles, see