Jesus' resurrection has a history, not just a historical fact (Lk 24:1-12)

Easter is a time to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. But how do we understand the resurrection of Jesus? Resurrection of Jesus gives hope to those whose loved are died. Also resurrection of Jesus is an evidence of that Jesus is Lord, and he overcomes death. These understandings are justified, but according to Luke, the angels provide a different understanding. They said,

Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again. (24:6-7, 9:22)

This is not just to remind the women that Jesus had already told them about his resurrection, and therefore, they should not be afraid. But rather this is to remind them that Jesus’ resurrection has to be understood in the sense of suffering, unfair treatment and being killed. The word, remember, has a special meaning in Luke. It reminds us Jesus’ word in the last supper, ‘Do this in remembrance of me’. In this sense, resurrection is not just a very general description of the future of a dying life. Rather resurrection is a response to a life that is killed violently and unjustly. Resurrection of Jesus is not just a historical fact, but also has a history. What is the history of Jesus' resurrection?

First, it is about why Jesus was handed over to sinners. It is because Jesus challenges the religious rules that construct boundary between people, and he takes the side of the marginalized. It is because he preaches the kingdom of God that challenges the power of religious authorities. It is because he violates the social order by promoting a new family that is not bounded by marriage, giving birth and blood. This is the history of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. If crucifixion is a no to Jesus’ option, I would say resurrection then is a yes to Jesus’ option.

Second, it is about who these sinners were. In Lk 9, they are elders, priest and scribes, but in Lk 24, they are sinners. They are not general sinners like you and I, but they are sinners, because they know what they have done is wrong, but they refuse to follow what the truth is. Even though they find no reason to put Jesus into death, they lie by accusing Jesus as revolutionary against the Roman Empire. They are sinners because they have lost their conscience and let selfish and greedy dominate. In this sense, the resurrection of Jesus is a threat to the sinners. On the one hand, they are afraid of being revenged for what they have done. On the other hand, they are afraid of their hypocrisy being revealed. The resurrection of Jesus disallows darkness.

Third, it is about what they did on Jesus. Even though the Roman governor Pontius Pilate finds Jesus no guilty, but the sinners do not allow him to release Jesus. They want Jesus to be crucified, but put the blame on the Romans so that they are clean. Killing is a method to make people keep silence. On the one way, the victim is no longer able to speak out, for he is killed. On the other hand, this threatens other to keep silence, for they do not want to be killed. Resurrection of Jesus is to challenge that killing is not the powerful weapon as one thinks. The death cannot accuse, but resurrection can. In this sense, resurrection is a prosecution of any brutal and inhuman act.

These are the background for our understanding of the resurrection of Jesus, that is, the triumph of the truth, shining the darkness, and a prosecution of any brutal and inhuman act. Nevertheless, the church is inclined to understand the resurrection of Jesus ahistorically and individually. As a result, we are unable to respond the political and economic world theologically. Also, the sinners are longer afraid of Jesus' resurrection.

Since Jesus’ resurrection is a no to any anti-life action and a prosecution of anti-life, what would the church do in the current event of 貨櫃搬運工人工業行動? What are the anti-life elements in treating the workers? Since Jesus’ resurrection is a challenge to the sinners who trample the life of others, what would the church do in the current event of貨櫃搬運工人工業行動? Who are these sinners? Are they contracters, capitalism, and others?

I have no intention to politicize the resurrection of Jesus, but the early church knows that resurrection of Jesus has a history, and to believe of Jesus' resurrection would bring them to trouble. We Christian can't avoid of getting into politics, because Jesus is resurrected.