Hebrews 2:14-15 | The Funeral Crasher
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Good morning. My name is Hector Franco. I have the privilege of serving as the Senior Pastor at Morris Evangelical Free Church. It’s so good to see you all this morning worshipping together in two different languages to celebrate the resurrection of Christ from the dead.
On this Resurrection Sunday, we celebrate the fact that death doesn’t have the final word. Jesus does.
Scripture reading
Hebrews 2:14–15 “14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.”
Pray
Intro. This morning I want to talk about how the resurrection of Christ impacts our lives not only in the future, but even in the present.
Here’s what I mean by that.
Humans all over the world face an enemy that is so powerful and invincible. As a matter of fact, each one of us will have to face this enemy one day. His name is death. However, the resurrection provides an endless source of hope for today and tomorrow.
You see, Jesus is the ultimate funeral crasher.
Picture of Hector’s mom
This picture was taken on April 5, 2007.
My mom Angelica along with my dad and my sister had come up for a visit.
During her stay with us, she complained about her arm and shoulder hurting. She had visited the chiropractor, but it didn’t help.
She went to the clinic and after running some scans, the doctors discovered a tumor. As they were figuring a plan of action, the doctors ended up discovering more tumors all over her body.
It was an aggressive form of cancer. She died that summer on August 31, 2007. She was only 42.
We were shocked and devastated.
Something amazing happened at her graveyard service. It happened right as her casked was about to be lowered. My dad asked my siblings, Jose, Brenda, and I to say goodbye to my mom. Jesus showed up in a powerful way.
This morning I want to talk to you about Jesus, the funeral crasher.
We see Jesus crashing funerals all over the gospels.
In the Gospel of Mark (Mark 5:22-42, Matt. 9:18-25, Luke 8:41-56), we see a desperate dad named Jairus [JY] + [RUHS] coming to Jesus because his 12-year old daughter was dying. Jesus agrees to go with him. On their way, the dad receives the news that no dad wants to ever hear, “Your daughter is dead. There’s no use troubling the Teacher now.”
Death is no obstacle for Jesus. Jesus is the funeral crasher.
He proceeds to go to Jairus’ house; takes the dead’s girl hand and says, “Little girl, get up!”
“And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement.” (Mk 5:42)
In the Gospel of Luke (Lk 7:11-17), we find a widow on her way to bury her only son. This is devastating! When Jesus sees the mother, he is moved with compassion and tells her, “Do not weep.”
Death is no obstacle for Jesus. Jesus is the funeral crasher.
“Then [Jesus] walked over to the coffin and touched it, and the bearers stopped. “Young man,” he said, “I tell you, get up.” Then the dead boy sat up and began to talk! And Jesus gave him back to his mother.” (Lk 7:14-15, NLT)
The reaction:
“Great fear swept the crowd, and they praised God, saying, “A mighty prophet has risen among us,” and “God has visited his people today.” (Luke 7:16, NLT
In the Gospel of John (Jn 11:38-44), we encounter two sisters whose brother had died four days earlier. This means nothing to Jesus. Death is no obstacle. Jesus is the funeral crasher.
Jesus goes to the burial site and simply commands, “Take away the stone” which they did. What happens next is amazing. After praying to the Father, Jesus cries out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” John, the Apostle writes, “The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” (Jn 11:43-44)
These stories were a foretaste of something bigger that is yet to come. Jairus’[JY] + [RUHS] 12-year old daughter, the widow’s son, and Jesus’ friend Lazarus eventually died again. They were a foreshadow of what the Bible calls “The Final Resurrection.”
Jesus introduces offers the world a hope that never ends.
How? By defeating death through his own death and resurrection.
Our passage this morning puts it this way.
Hebrews 2:14–15 “14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.”
According to this passage, Jesus’ death and resurrection accomplished two things:
He destroyed the devil
He destroyed the devil
Notice how these verses on the screen captures the heart of Christmas, Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday. They speak of Christ’s birth, death, and resurrection.
Jesus left his throne in heaven and entered our world by becoming human like us. He took on flesh and blood. This is known as the Incarnation (Latin, incarnatus, “to make flesh.”)
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). Why?
Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,
The verb “to destroy” means “to render inoperative or ineffective.”
1 John 3:8 “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.”
Here’s how the death of Christ neutralized the devil:
In Colossians 2, the Apostle Paul writes about the power of the cross and the resurrection. He says, you and I were dead in our sins, but God made us alive with Christ (resurrection language). God forgives our sins!
How do I know this? He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. (Col. 2:13-15, NLT)
Trough his death and resurrection, Jesus rendered powerless Satan, the accuser.
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Rom 8:1)
“By his death he wiped away all our sins. And a person without sin puts Satan out of business.” (John Piper)
He delivered his people.
He delivered his people.
The Bible says that “whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” (1 John 5:19). The good news of the gospel is that Jesus came to set the captives free.
15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.” (Heb 2:15)
On Resurrection Sunday, Jesus offers freedom from the freedom of fear of death because all my sins are nailed to the cross. Not just some, but all my sins.
Therefore, Jesus’ death and resurrection allows me to live a fearless life because I know that no matter what happens tomorrow, my destiny has been secured by the one who died and rose again.
Do you know what this means? One of the implications is that Jesus, the funeral crasher is not done. The final funeral that Jesus will crash is our own funeral.
In a sense he already crashed our funeral. The Bible says that we were spiritually dead in our sins and trespasses, but Jesus gave us life by the power of his Word.
The Bible also declares that one day, the final trumpet will sound when those who have tasted physical death will be raised again with an imperishable body. Then shall come to pass the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Co. 15:54-57)
Without the resurrection of Christ, all we have is a hopeless end. With the resurrection of Christ, we have endless hope.
Back to my mom’s graveside service. It was August 31, 2007.
My dad had asked my siblings, Jose, Brenda, and I to say goodbye to my mom one last time before they put her casket down.
As I placed my hands on her casket, I was immediately taken back in time 15 years earlier.
In 1992, my mom had made the decision to move to the USA with my dad. My brother and I were left behind to live with an aunt. I was only 10 years old at the time. We didn’t know how long her departure was going to last. All I can remember is her saying, “Nos veremos pronto hijo.”
I still remember waving goodbye to her as her bus left the bus station. It was almost as if I could still hear her say, “we will see each other soon, son.”
Now that her casket was being lowered, I simply waved goodbye and said, “nos vemos pronto, mama.”
Without the resurrection of Christ, all we have is a hopeless end. With the resurrection of Christ, we have endless hope.
This morning we celebrate the fact that death doesn’t have the final word. Jesus does!
Jesus is the ultimate funeral crusher who one day will call us out of our graves and give us a new immortal, free of decay, glorious body.
The empty cross and the empty tomb are proof of this. Because he himself defeated death, he offers today new life. This new life is often referred as the “resurrection life.”
We are made alive with Christ
We have direction and purpose
We no longer walk alone or do life in our own strength or wisdom.
Our suffering is used for our good and for God’s glory
We experienced the joy and the power the Holy Spirit
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Phil 1:21)
Would you like to experience this resurrection life?
Simply pray, “I want to experience the risen Christ in my life.”
Invitation
Prayer team available to pray for you (believers and unbelievers)
New sermon series next week. (Experiencing the Resurrection Life)