A Theological Refresh in Preparation for Easter

For many of us pastors, it has been a while since our seminary years, when we immersed ourselves in theological study. Over time, we can get rusty. Sound theology is always important, but especially so during Holy Week, which reminds us of what is of first importance: that Christ died, was buried, and yet rose on the third day in accordance with the scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3).

Good theology clarifies the glorious truths of what Christ has done for us in his life and death.

Holy Week preaching ought not to sound like a systematics lecture. We are to preach and herald the good news. But having good theological categories that frame our preaching will give joyful weight to our trumpeting voices on Easter morning.

With that in mind, here is a quick reminder of key theological categories that are especially relevant during Holy Week.

Covenant of Grace: 

In the garden, the covenant of works was the first covenant between God and man. Obey, and you shall live (Genesis 2:17, Romans 7:10). The condition of the covenant of works is obedience. And yet, the sad reality is that Adam ate the forbidden fruit that sent him and all his posterity into a state of sin and misery. All have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). This is the bad news.

Here’s the good news:

God has always been gracious; therefore, there is a second covenant. It’s a covenant not dependent on our obedience but on the obedience of another.

In the midst of the curse, God promises that the descendent of Eve, a man, will crush the head of the snake (Genesis 3:15). This gracious promise (covenant) is the thread that unites the entirety of the Bible.

Jesus is the true ark that saves his people in the waters of judgment. Jesus is the better Isaac, the true sacrificial son. Jesus is the better David, the eternal king who reigns on his throne forever. All the gracious promises of the Old Testament find their fulfillment in Christ.

Preaching Point: God’s gracious work in Christ has always been God’s eternal plan.

Active and Passive Obedience of Christ:

We require perfect obedience to be right with God. This is the covenant of works I previously discussed. We don’t have just a sin problem but an active, obeying-God problem. Therefore, Jesus needed to live the perfect life that Adam and we could never live.

Matthew’s gospel account begins “biblos geneseos.” A book of beginning. A new start. Jesus begins his life in Egypt, is set free through the water, is tempted for 40 days in the desert, and then ascends a mountain to give a new law.

In the beginning chapters of Matthew, it is clear that Jesus is retracing the steps of Israel. Israel begins in Egypt, is set free through the Red Sea, walks through the desert, and Moses climbs a mountain to deliver the 10 Commandments.

For all the ways Israel disobeyed God, Jesus retraces their steps and actively obeys. He does the same for his people today. Jesus actively obeyed in our place.

He also passively did not act when he could have. During the sham trial that Jesus endured, he kept silent like a lamb to the slaughter (Isaiah 53:7). While Jesus had the power to call angels to his rescue at any moment (Matthew 26:53), Jesus knew the fulfillment of the covenant of grace depended on him not acting. Jesus obeyed by remaining passive to the point of death.

Preaching Point: Jesus acted in our place and remained quiet in our place.

Penal Substitutionary Atonement: 

This is the heart of the gospel and of Easter. Let’s break the phrase down word by word. Penal is in reference to God’s broken law. All who rely on works of the law are under a curse, for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” (Galatians 3:10)

Because humanity has broken the law, God’s righteous anger must be satisfied. This is a just action of God. The sinner will bear that wrath, or sin will be imputed to Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21) so that Jesus, as a substitute, will bear God’s wrath in our place on the cross.

Atonement is from the Greek word ἱλαστήριον, which is defined as expiation to the point of regaining the goodwill of a deity. Atonement is too limited as a definition. Propitiation is better (Romans 3:25).

The death of Christ is so complete that it does not just atone for our sin, but we receive the full blessing of God.

On Good Friday, Jesus hung as a cursed sinner in our place to satisfy the full justice of breaking God’s holy and righteous law so that we might receive the good pleasure of God in giving us the kingdom (Luke 12:32).

Preaching Point: Avoid trite, moralistic lessons about Easter. Easter is joyful only because it was costly.   

Justification: 

The most concise definition of justification is from the Westminster Shorter Catechism.

Question 33: What is justification?

Answer: Justification is an act of God’s free grace, wherein he pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.

Justification is a legal declaration that can’t be changed. Because “It is finished” (John 19:30), justification cannot be added to or subtracted from. It’s fixed.

Preaching Point: Preach sovereign, free, undistilled gospel-grace.

Resurrection:

On Easter morning, Jesus “was raised on account of our justification.” (Romans 4:25, my personal translation). The wage of sin was paid with such fullness and finality on Good Friday; since God is just and there was no longer any sin to pay for, God’s justice demanded that Christ be raised. 

The resurrection does not add to justification. Rather, the resurrection is the glorious proof that Jesus secured the justification at the cross. Think of the resurrection as a divine receipt that proves payment paid, and there is, therefore, no longer a remaining debt. 

Preaching Point: The resurrection is the assurance to doubting Christians who question whether they really belong to God. 

Good theological categories shape good Easter preaching. If ever there was a time to really preach, Holy Week is it. Don’t settle for moralistic, feel-good sermons that sound more like a Hallmark card than the apostles. Take the best of systematic theology and preach sermons that comfort the sinner by centering their hearts on the full and finished work of Jesus Christ. 

©2024 Jon Saunders. Used with permission.