Why the Resurrection is One of the Greatest Treasures
The primary theme of this passage in Acts is the untamable power of the resurrected Christ. Everything that happens points to the exceptional power of a resurrected Savior and the effects of this risen Lord. The resurrection is one of the most treasured concepts of our lives—a significant treasure that we as Christians possess. It is part of the gospel itself, producing effects that cannot be stayed by the hands of Sadducees who deny it or hindered by critics. It is at the centerpiece of the gospel message that saves us. It is a treasure every one of us desperately needs.
1. The Treasure of the Resurrection Seen Through the Sign of a Man's Healing
The healing of the crippled man was a sign, a physical demonstration communicating a greater biblical truth. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said:
Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed—let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by him this man is standing before you well.
Acts 4:8-10 (paraphrased)
The Greek word for "healed" means "saved." This man was physically healed but, more significantly, saved from his sins. The same terminology used for his healing—"raised up"—echoes the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The power of Christ's resurrected life revolutionized this man's life physically and spiritually. He walked, leaped, and praised God inside the temple, where once he begged outside for alms.
This man's reflex to the resurrection was joy. A crucified yet risen Savior never intended a community of believers indifferent to His resurrected life. The purpose was joy—Christians satisfied, excited, exhilarated by what Christ did on the cross and in rising from the dead.
He praised God by utilizing what God corrected in his life: he walked where he couldn't walk, leaped where he couldn't move, praised where he once couldn't glorify. What has Christ saved you from that you now glorify Him with? From drunkenness with sobriety? From immorality with purity? From lies with truth? From pride with humility? From useless activities with useful ones? Not as obligation, but as reflexes to the newness of resurrected life.
The only tragedy for Christians is standing when they should walk, sitting when they should leap, silence when there should be praise—immobilizing themselves by forgetting the power of resurrected life.
Our Savior was physically dead, buried, and three days later rose from the dead. This is real, powerful, mighty—something to rejoice in. It sets Christianity apart: a crucified Savior who is alive. Live by the powerful principle of a resurrected Savior. Power not to sin? My Savior rose from the dead. Ability to praise God? Previously spiritually dead, now alive because my Savior rose.
This man clung to Peter and John because they proclaimed the name of Jesus, which brings the dead to life. Where else would he go? They had the words of eternal life.
2. The Treasure of the Resurrection Seen in the Salvation of Thousands
After preaching the resurrection, thousands believed—3,000 in Acts 2, 5,000 here in Acts 4. The gospel spread like wildfire. Nothing in the first century went viral like the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Visitors from across the world, staying for Pentecost after Passover, heard the gospel. Many returned home proclaiming a resurrected Savior who saves perfectly, permanently, completely.
These thousands had one heart, one soul—no stinginess, total community, great grace upon them all. It is miraculous for the resurrected Christ to purchase people concerned about others, not themselves. All sin traces back to self-centeredness. Christ, equal with God, took on death to save us, rising to form a community of resurrected living Christians concerned for others' needs.
3. The Treasure of the Resurrection Through Great Grace
Great grace—mega grace, extraordinary grace beyond normal bounds—was upon them as the apostles testified to the resurrection. This is an epicenter of blood-bought, resurrected life.
Grace is God's undeserved involvement in our lives—the blessing of all His benevolence without killing us. Peter and John had no silver or gold, but the name of the resurrected Jesus, making the poor rich spiritually.
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.
2 Corinthians 8:9
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.
Ephesians 1:7
Paul was content in poverty or riches because of the resurrected life. Though we suffer, we are rich in what is needed.
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:4-7
To be rich in the Lord means a kind God who lavishes grace, mercy, kindness—no matter the suffering.
To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.
Ephesians 3:8
4. The Treasure of the Resurrection Through the Vindication of Christ
Either Jesus was the most righteous man, God in flesh, or delusional. What vindicates Him? He rose from the dead. The Sadducees, who deny resurrection, crucified Him, but now face resurrected Christians proclaiming Him everywhere in Jerusalem. They are speechless, unable to deny the miracle, stuck with the irrefutable fact.
They saw the boldness of uneducated men who had been with Jesus. Do we live demonstrating we have been with Christ? Proclaim this message boldly, and watch what happens.
5. The Treasure of the Resurrection Through the Assurance of Our Salvation
In moments of doubt—"Am I really saved?"—remember: Christ rose. If not, our preaching is vain, faith futile, we are still in sins. But Christ has been raised—the firstfruits. Doubt is okay if met with this reality.
But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
1 Corinthians 15:20
6. The Treasure of the Resurrection Through the Hope of Our Physical Resurrection
Christ's resurrection guarantees our physical resurrection—no more death, pain, corruption. Live by: "If I die, I will rise."
We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
For believers, death is not judgment but shedding the corruptible for the incorruptible. Death, where is your sting?
7. Five Significant Responses to the Resurrected Life
Since I have the resurrected life of Christ:
- I am confident I have salvation now—He rose, vindicating all He said.
- I am confident I can say no to sin—temptation shrinks when Christ is large.
- I am confident I can be pleasing to God—it is Christ who lives in me (Galatians 2:20). God is never disappointed in His Son.
- I am confident I can suffer, knowing it will be far better—suffering prevents comfort in this corrupted body (1 Peter 4:1).
- I am unwavering in the extent of change resurrected life can give—if God raised Jesus, He enables newness in us.
When threats came, believers prayed, the place shook, they were filled with the Holy Spirit, and spoke boldly. The power of Christ's resurrected name will shake and fill your life too.
