Message: Resurrection for All / Acts 10:34-43

Today is Easter, which is celebrated as the most important day in the church. We gather together every Sunday to worship because it is the day Jesus was resurrected. Jesus' resurrection shows how God's hope and love triumph over everything in the world. The meaning and importance of his resurrection were demonstrated through the actions of his disciples. When they met the risen Christ Jesus, they became faithful messengers who shared the Good News of his resurrection with the world.

Today's first reading is from Peter's sermon in the Acts of the Apostles. As someone who experienced new life through Jesus’ resurrection, Peter declares, "God shows no partiality" (34). Given the times, this statement was surprising. The earliest followers were all Jews who believed that only Jews, as God's chosen people, could receive salvation. It was difficult for them to imagine that those outside their community could be saved.

But after meeting the risen Jesus, Peter realized that God's love is not just for a certain group of people—it is for everyone. When Jesus emerged from the tomb on Easter morning, Peter understood that God's saving grace should not be confined to an exclusive religious system. For Peter, God was not just for the Jews anymore; God was a loving and gracious God who wanted to save everyone in the world.

However, it's important to note that Peter's declaration was not a completely new theological idea for Jews. The Hebrew Bible shows that God is the Creator of all humanity who cares for everyone. This is especially well expressed in the first creation story in Genesis: "So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (1:27).

In the ancient Near East, where Genesis was written, this belief was very revolutionary. The religions at that time taught that only the king was made in the image of the god, and other human beings were created as servants. This religious idea was used to strengthen political power and oppress the people. A similar situation existed during Jesus' time. The Roman Empire forced people to worship and serve their emperor as the son of god.

On the other hand, the ancient Israelites believed that their God created all people in the image of God. In particular, in the strongly patriarchal society where only men were considered human beings, they proclaimed that both men and women were created in God's image. There was no difference or discrimination based on gender in God's creation. What's more, God did not make humans to be servants; rather, God created them to explore and enjoy the beautiful creation alongside God and blessed them to take care of the Earth. This ancient faith reflected principles similar to those in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. It starts with this sentence: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.”

This belief gradually disappeared as the ancient Israelites started to confine God within their narrow religious system. They slowly reinforced the idea that they were the only holy people chosen by God. The religious leaders used their power to judge, discriminate against, and marginalize people. They misused the Bible to strengthen their authority. Regardless of the context, they only focused on a few passages that supported their claims. They trapped God's grace for all people within their dark tomb.

Jesus' resurrection helped Peter realize that the message of God's salvation needed to come out of the tomb. In today’s passage, he says, "I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. [...] everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name" (34-35, 43).

That is right. Jesus' resurrection is hope for everyone in the world. Through his death and rising again, Jesus revealed that God loves all people and wants those in the darkness of sin to turn to God. Jesus taught his followers about the Good News that those stuck in spiritual tombs can be set free by believing in God's grace for all. So, the message of resurrection should not be just for a few. It is for everyone. That is why the risen Jesus told his followers to spread this Good News everywhere, from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth (1:8).

There's another important point in today's passage. Peter says, "[Jesus] is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead" (42). The risen Christ is the ultimate judge of the whole universe. Only Jesus can be the judge. This means we should not judge others anymore. We should not judge ourselves either. No one has such authority when it comes to salvation. Stop judging people by your standards and torturing yourself with guilt.

Jesus Christ is the end of judgment. Jesus did not tell his disciples to be judges. He told them to be messengers of the Good News. During his public ministry, Christ showed his disciples that right and wrong are revealed through actions, not just words. Throughout his life, he taught them that justice is not about criticizing others, but about following the path he walked, even to the cross. Jesus sent them into the world to share the Good News that everyone is made in God's image and anyone who turns to God will be liberated. Today's passage is from the Acts of the Apostles. The word "apostle" comes from a word that means "to send out." So, an apostle is someone sent out to share the gospel. 

One of the greatest temptations for Christians is to try to become judges themselves, instead of recognizing Christ as the ultimate judge. Some try to control others by acting as if they know all the truth. They want to show how righteous they are by twisting the teachings about eternal life and threatening others. These are the ones who are trapped in spiritual tombs. They are stuck behind big stones of prejudice, bias, discrimination, and judgment, keeping them isolated.

We are called to spread the Good News of Jesus' resurrection. It is time to move the stones blocking people from God, others, and creation. It is time to bring hope to those who are struggling and oppressed in the darkness. God shows no partiality. God loves everyone. God calls us to bring everyone out of their own tombs. May all of us here become messengers of hope in South Stormont, sharing the Good News of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Thanks be to God. Amen.

Rev. Min Hwang
South Stormont Pastoral Charge
Easter Sunday

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