Easter Changes Everything

I. Easter's Original Context
Jesus is defeated: a blasphemer, a false prophet, a criminal.
The Father is implicated: approving, absent, powerless, indifferent, or bad.

(Pastor Cheryl Fletcher: "If Jesus Christ isn't God, then there is no God.")

The disciples are hopeless: the rules haven't changed after all.

II. Easter Phenomena
Witnesses testify to a series of events they understand as both historical and of vast significance:
The Empty Tomb

(Not a late or unreliable tradition; see Matt 28:15, 1 Cor 15:3-5.)
Fear and confusion result.

Resurrection Appearances

(Not a spirit! Luke 24:37-39, John 20:19-20, 1 Cor 15:35-57.)

His disciples' fear turns to joy and their silence to proclamation.(Discuss Q3?)

Teachings of the Risen Jesus

What does it mean? The risen Jesus leads the Church to new awareness of his significance (Luke 24:44-48, John 14:26).
Disciples reflect further on Jesus using the OT and Jesus' life story
(C.H. Dodd, The Apostolic Preaching and According to the Scriptures).

The Gift of the Holy Spirit

Jesus' disciples receive the Holy Spirit whom the Father shared with him (Luke 24:49, John 20:19-23, Acts 2, Gal 4:6-7, cf. 3:1-5).
Jesus' works persist and multiply among his followers (John 14:12-17). (Discuss Q1?)

III. Revolutionary Impacts and Implications
Jesus is alive: the fundamental Easter confession of the Church.

The cross-and-resurrection's implications ground all Christian doctrine,

transforming disciples' lives and thinking like railroads transformed "Terminus" into "Atlanta",
as what had seemed 'the end' became the hub. For instance:

A risen Jesus (like the vindicated Snape in Harry Potter) was right all along, and proven trustworthy.

And in that case, Jesus really is Lord (Phil 2:11) as he demonstrated, demanding our total allegiance. (Discuss Q2?)

He was raised (1 Cor 15:4)—so God is Triune (Rom 8:11).

(Hilary of Portiers on John 20:28: "God is one, but not alone.")

Jesus has won (Rev 1:18)! God's love triumphs over sinners and our tactics of division

(Hans Urs von Balthasar, Mysterium Paschale).

Resurrection is not 'mere' resuscitation but the firstfruits of God's promised new creation (1 Cor 15:42-44).

Illustration: Grünewald's Isenheim Altarpiece.

That means the eschaton ("end-times") has begun. (Discuss Q4?)
The raising of Jesus' body (Luke 24:36-43) confirms that salvation involves materiality,

refuting Gnosticism and driving sacramental theology.

Jesus' invigorated church gains faith, hope, and love in the Spirit he shares (Rom 5:1-11, 8:11),

so his offices and mission are accomplished with his disciples (John 20:21, Eph 4:7-16).

A hymn illustrating the apostolic paradigm is "I Know that My Redeemer Lives." (Discuss Q5 and Q6?)