HE IS RISEN LifeWay

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1 HE IS RISEN 82

2 How can we know Jesus is alive? The facts are in. In the courtroom, only two things matter: the evidence and the testimony of witnesses. Hearsay doesn t count. Opinions don t count. Just the evidence and eyewitness testimony. On the surface, the resurrection of Jesus a dead man coming to life after three days sounds just as outlandish as some of the supermarket tabloid headlines. Yet untold millions of people have believed that story and grounded their lives and hope in it. Why? Evidence and eyewitness testimony. Jesus has risen from death, and He is alive. Massive evidence points to the reality of this event. Hundreds of people saw Jesus after He came out of the tomb. In this study, we re only going to scratch the surface of this evidence, but even with what we will see in this study from Luke 24, it will be clear that yes, as sensational as it sounds Jesus is alive! DERWIN L. GRAY Derwin L. Gray is the founding and lead pastor of Transformation Church, a multi-ethnic community with two campuses in South Carolina. Previously, Derwin played for the NFL, and it was during his time with the Indianapolis Colts that He encountered the risen Christ. He and his wife Vicki have two children. He is the author of Crazy Grace for Crazy Times (LifeWay Press). BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 83

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4 SPECIAL FOCUS HE IS RISEN The Point The resurrection of Jesus is a fact you can build your life on. The Passage Luke 24:1-8,36-40 The Bible Meets Life Our culture often determines a person s value by how that person can contribute to society or not be a burden to others. Unfortunately, a lot of people including the unborn, the elderly, or those with special needs must depend on others. Some people question the value of a person who cannot stand on their own two feet, but God never does. Every person has value and purpose. The Setting Women who observed Jesus burial went to the tomb on Sunday to anoint His body with spices. They discovered the tomb empty and were informed Jesus was not there. Later that night, Jesus appeared to His disciples, showing them His hands and His feet. His resurrection affirmed that He was and is the Son of God. The disciples witnessed His resurrected body and came to believe, though it took convincing for some of them. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 85

5 What does the Bible say? Luke 24:1-8,36-40 (CSB) The Spices (v. 1) The Greek noun aroma refers to any kind of fragrant substance, fragrant spice, salve, oil, or perfume; here it specifically references those used in burying the dead. 1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3 They went in but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothes. 5 So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground. Why are you looking for the living among the dead? asked the men. 6 He is not here, but he has risen! Remember how he spoke to you when he was still in Galilee, 7 saying, It is necessary that the Son of Man be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day? 8 And they remembered his words. 36 As they were saying these things, he himself stood in their midst. He said to them, Peace to you! 37 But they were startled and terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost. 38 Why are you troubled? he asked them. And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself! Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have. 40 Having said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 86 Special focus

6 THE POINT The resurrection of Jesus is a fact you can build your life on. GET INTO THE STUDY 10 minutes DISCUSS: Invite your group members to discuss Question #1 on page 67 of the PSG (Personal Study Guide): When have you been completely surprised? SUMMARIZE THE PSG (PAGE 68): Pain, doubt, and disappointment. Too often we find ourselves struggling with these in our lives. To one degree or another, I m sure we ve all faced those moments when the world just seemed to go dark. We had no idea what would happen next or what we should do to help the situation. In Luke s Gospel, we read an account of a group of women who felt just such doubt and disappointment. They trudged on to do what needed to be done in spite of their feelings, but they were caught off-guard and were joyfully surprised by what happened next. Jesus was alive; that changed everything. TIP: This session is a great opportunity to talk about salvation with any group members who aren t yet believers. Use the inside front cover of this Leader Guide for assistance. Notes SAY: Jesus is still alive, and that changes everything for us too. GUIDE: Call attention to The Point on page 68 of the PSG: The resurrection of Jesus is a fact you can build your life on. ACTIVITY (OPTIONAL): Show group members a magnifying glass and ask: What things do you associate with a magnifying glass? Discuss responses. Point out that a detective might use a magnifying glass to gather evidence to find out the truth. Ask: If someone asked you to provide some solid evidence for Jesus resurrection, what would you say? Discuss answers and share that today s session identifies some reasons we can believe that Jesus really did rise from the dead and that our faith is real. PRAY: Transition into the discussion with prayer. As you do, thank God for sending Jesus to die for our sins and for the hope we re offered in Him. Display Pack Item #7 to use with your discussion of Luke 24:36-40 on page 92. PLAYLIST PICK: The God I Know By Love & The Outcome BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 87

7 10 minutes STUDY THE BIBLE Notes Luke 24:1-6a (CSB) 1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3 They went in but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothes. 5 So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground. Why are you looking for the living among the dead? asked the men. 6 He is not here, but he has risen! READ: Ask a group member to read aloud Luke 24:1-6a. SUMMARIZE THE PSG (PAGE 69): The first Sunday morning after Jesus crucifixion was anything but a celebration for His disciples. It was a day of death, doubt, and disappointment. Early that morning, a small group of women that included Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James (Luke 24:10) went to the tomb with spices to prepare Jesus body properly for burial. The women knew the task before them, but Mark s Gospel notes they had no idea how they would get into the tomb with such a large stone in front of it (Mark 16:3). However, when they arrived at the tomb they found the stone rolled away from the tomb (v. 2). They also found the tomb to be empty. ALTERNATE QUESTION: What emotions would you have experienced on the way to the tomb? DISCUSS: Question #2 on page 69 of the PSG: What are some ways our culture tries to explain away Jesus resurrection? SUMMARIZE THE PSG (PAGE 70): How do we know Jesus is alive? His tomb is empty! Had Jesus body been stolen, or if the women had merely gone to the wrong tomb, the idea of a resurrection easily could be laid to rest simply by going to the right tomb or by producing Jesus dead body. Also, the disciples would not have faced persecution and death for a lie that Jesus was resurrected rather than stolen and hidden away. If Luke had been trying to invent something that did not happen, he most likely would have made the first witnesses to the empty tomb be some of Jesus twelve apostles some of the twelve men. Why? At that time, a woman s testimony was not valid in court. 88 Special focus

8 THE POINT The resurrection of Jesus is a fact you can build your life on. Luke 24:1-6a Commentary The empty tomb points to the resurrection of Jesus. Verse 1: Jesus was crucified and laid in a borrowed tomb on Friday; He rose to life victoriously on Sunday, the first day of the week. No one knows the exact time Jesus arose from the dead, but it must have been extremely early on Sunday, for the women went to the tomb very early in the morning, a descriptive term that means deep dawn. The women came to the tomb. Tombs were often carved into existing caves, with several chambers for bodies. After burial preparations, for which the women had come, were completed, the bodies were laid on shelves in the rock. The spices were used to prepare the body for burial and offset the odor of decay. The additional spices brought on Sunday show proper respect for the dead. Evidently, the women felt it was necessary to apply extra spices and ointment to the body, either as an additional show of honor and respect or out of necessity to finalize the process. Either way, the women wanted to complete the burial process. Verse 2: A large, circular stone probably at least four feet in diameter and fourteen inches thick sealed the tomb. Removing the stone would have been a major obstacle. The stone s sheer size and weight would have made it impossible for them to roll it up the slanted channel. When they arrived, they found the stone rolled away. Miraculously, God had solved the stone problem for them. The tomb was open and empty; Jesus was not there. Verses 3-4: A sad labor of love was transformed into mystery. Yet the absence of the body was not sufficient to lead them to belief in Jesus resurrection. As we read in verse 41, even when Jesus followers saw Him face to face they experienced joy, but they still could not believe. The women stood surprised and perplexed, unable to process what was happening. Suddenly two men who were angels appeared. They stood by, which means to step up suddenly or to burst upon a person. Verse 5: The women were terrified, a common response to angelic appearances. Their fear may have been more reverential awe rather than stark terror. They bowed down to the ground a mark of respect in the presence of the angels. The angels asked: Why are you looking for the living among the dead? The question revealed the folly of believing that Jesus was still in the tomb. The angels gently rebuked the women for seeking Jesus in the graveyard. Verse 6a: He is not here, but he has risen! is a statement of faith, the capstone of Christianity, the very essence of the gospel message that changes people s lives and eternity. Jesus is not dead; He is alive. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 89

9 10 minutes STUDY THE BIBLE Notes Luke 24:6b-8 (CSB) 6 Remember how he spoke to you when he was still in Galilee, 7 saying, It is necessary that the Son of Man be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day? 8 And they remembered his words. READ: Ask a group member to read aloud Luke 24:6b-8. SUMMARIZE THE PSG (PAGE 70): The tomb was empty, but that should not have been a surprise to these women or any of Jesus followers. Jesus repeatedly announced His death long before anyone else could see His arrest on the horizon (Luke 9:22,44; 17:25; 18:31-33; 22:37). This fact reveals that Jesus death was no accident. He died on the cross in our place, and He defeated death for us. ALTERNATE QUESTION: When has remembering God s Word helped you in a crisis? DISCUSS: Question #3 on page 70 of the PSG: Why is it significant that Jesus knew in advance what would happen to Him? DO: Instruct group members to complete the activity on page 72 on their own. If time allows, invite volunteers to share their responses aloud. OUR MIGHTY CONQUEROR: Jesus defeated our greatest enemy, death, so we could live with Him forever. This truth gives us hope: He can conquer anything and everything we struggle with today. What enemies do you need victory over in your life? (Mark all that apply.) Finances Relationships Work Big decisions Health Anxiety Image Other: Since Jesus defeated death, I believe He can help me. This week, I will to remind me of His power and victory in my life. 90 Special focus

10 THE POINT The resurrection of Jesus is a fact you can build your life on. Luke 24:6b-8 Commentary Jesus foretold His resurrection. Verses 6b-7: The angels not only informed the women of Jesus resurrection, they also challenged the women to remember how he spoke to you when he was still in Galilee. All of Jesus disciples had failed to anticipate or understand His pending death and resurrection, but it was not for lack of instruction on Jesus part. He had plainly revealed His resurrection from the dead as occurring on the third day (Luke 9:22; 18:32-33). The third day does not refer to three 24-hour days, but inclusively to any part of three days. He was buried on Friday before sundown, the beginning of the Sabbath as the Jews reckoned time. Thus, Friday was the first day He was in the tomb. Saturday would have been the second day, with Sunday (from sundown Saturday evening until the time of His resurrection) being the third. Jesus often spoke metaphorically and the women, along with the rest of Jesus followers, had probably taken the strange words about resurrection in the same way. Or perhaps, in their anguish and grief, the women simply had forgotten Jesus prediction that He would rise from the dead. Either way, a bodily resurrection was beyond their comprehension and hopes. Yet Jesus had clearly told His followers that He would be betrayed, crucified, and resurrected. Without twenty centuries of hindsight, we can understand how His words might have sounded preposterous, if not downright ludicrous. Verse 8: Having been prompted by the angels, the women remembered His words. His words were Jesus prophecies concerning His resurrection. On several occasions Jesus told His followers that He would suffer and die and be raised from the dead (Matthew 16:21; 17:22-23; 20:17-19; Luke 9:22,44; 18:31-34). Even though Jesus had uttered these words, with the fact that He had died such a cruel death on the cross, it never entered the minds of these women (or the other disciples for that matter) during their despondency and sorrow that Jesus would rise again. But once they realized that not only was Jesus resurrection possible but now a reality, the women could again clearly recall Jesus words. They now interpreted the empty tomb in light of Jesus foretelling. The women then understood that the body had not been removed or relocated, but that Jesus had risen from the dead. The tomb was empty. Now, the remembrance of Jesus words flooded their hearts and minds. They had a story to tell. They couldn t wait to return to the others to report what they had seen and heard. It was the news that would transform them into powerful proclaimers of truth and birth a movement. They hurried off from the tomb and reported what they had seen and heard. Unfortunately, the others did not believe the women, considering their story to be nonsense or an idle tale (Luke 24:9-11). They would not believe without a personal experience. Luke recorded that Peter went to check out the story for himself and was amazed at what he discovered (v. 12). BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 91

11 10 minutes STUDY THE BIBLE Notes Luke 24:36-40 (CSB) 36 As they were saying these things, he himself stood in their midst. He said to them, Peace to you! 37 But they were startled and terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost. 38 Why are you troubled? he asked them. And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself! Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have. 40 Having said this, he showed them his hands and feet. READ: Ask a group member to read aloud Luke 24: SUMMARIZE THE PSG (PAGE 73): The disciples were not expecting to see Jesus. In fact, they were startled and terrified (v. 37) just as the women had been earlier (v. 5). Jesus knew what the disciples were thinking their fright no doubt was evident in their body language and He asked why they were troubled (v. 38). Some people still doubted the reality of the resurrection, and some may have wondered exactly who was standing in front of them. Was he a ghost or a physical person? Jesus squelched those doubts in v. 39: Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have. ALTERNATE QUESTION: In what specific ways has Christ given you peace? DISCUSS: Question #4 on page 72 of the PSG: How has Jesus proven Himself to you in the past? (Note: Be prepared to share a personal experience.) ACTIVITY (OPTIONAL): Divide group members into subgroups of three or four members each. Instruct each subgroup to summarize the quote on PSG page 72 in their own words. After several minutes, invite groups to share their responses. DISCUSS: Question #5 on page 73 of the PSG: What makes the resurrection so important for believers today? LEADER PACK: Use Pack Item #7, Evidence poster, to discuss the biblical and historical evidence that supports the reality of Jesus resurrection. SAY: Jesus defeated sin and death when He rose from the grave. Jesus is alive and that changes everything. 92 Special focus

12 THE POINT The resurrection of Jesus is a fact you can build your life on. Luke 24:36-40 Commentary The disciples saw Jesus after His resurrection. Verse 36: Before the day was over, other disciples would hear the news and see the resurrected Christ. Believers gathered in the evening to share their exciting stories of Jesus appearing. Suddenly, Jesus himself stood in their midst. Although the doors were shut and locked for fear of the authorities (John 20:19), Jesus appeared by supernatural power within the closed room. Jesus was no longer bound by limitations of an ordinary earthly body. Jesus sought to console and to calm the gathered believers. He uttered a familiar blessing: Peace to you! It was the normal greeting of the day, but it carried a far deeper meaning this day. No reason remained for them to fear. The God of peace was with them, not just in Spirit, but in bodily form. Verse 37: One might think that upon seeing Jesus the believers would sigh in great relief or burst forth in song, but instead they were startled and terrified. It s not surprising that they were startled. After all, the risen Lord suddenly appeared in their midst behind locked doors without warning, without knocking, without entering through the door. That they were terrified or frightened is not as easily explained, since several of them had already seen the risen Christ earlier that day and they had been talking about Jesus appearances. Small wonder they thought they were seeing a ghost, or a disembodied Jesus. Their fear was a natural reaction to the supernatural. Verse 38: Why are you troubled? Jesus asked. The verb for troubled means to agitate, to stir up, to get excited. Jesus called on them to look upon the situation in a clearheaded manner. He also asked, And why do doubts arise in your hearts? The doubts likely originated with whether Jesus had actually been raised bodily from the dead, or whether the person they were encountering was actually Jesus, or whether Jesus were a ghost. Luke had in mind that the disciples were wondering if Jesus were a ghost. Verse 39: Jesus sought to calm the disciples not only with His presence but also by showing them His wounds. Jesus command, Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself! was an invitation to verify that it was Jesus Himself who stood before them. Additionally, to physically touch Him would have shown them He was not a ghost. The proof of Jesus human body could be felt. Jesus presence was neither the simple resuscitation of a swooned body nor the appearance of a disembodied spirit or ghost, but rather a true resurrection into a new and glorified body. Verse 40: The text says nothing about scars, though we can be certain the prints of Calvary were on His body. Those prints Jesus bears throughout all eternity as a reminder of the price He paid for our salvation and the victory He won over death by being resurrected to life. Through His resurrection, Jesus conquered death so His followers can experience true, authentic, and everlasting life. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 93

13 5 minutes LIVE IT OUT Notes SAY: How will the truth of the resurrection make a difference in your life? GUIDE: Lead group members to consider the responses to the Bible study listed on page 74 of the PSG. Believe. Christ s resurrection means that we can be forgiven of our sin. If you ve not yet trusted Christ as your Savior and want to know more, talk with your group leader or read the article on the inside front cover of this book. Study. Learn more about the historical evidence that proves the resurrection of Christ. Check out Buried Hope or Risen Savior by Charles L. Quarles (B&H Publishers) or The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel (Zondervan). Share. Ask God for chances to share what you believe about Jesus with someone who isn t a Christ-follower. Pray for wisdom to communicate all that we re given in Christ. Wrap It Up SAY: Doubt, pain, and disappointment will come, but they don t have to define your life. Hope is readily available Jesus has risen from death, and He is alive! Get expert insights on weekly studies through the Ministry Grid. MinistryGrid.com/web/BibleStudiesForLife 94 Special focus

14 STRANGER, A WORD STUDY BY HAL LANE Jesus prediction of His judgment of the nations in Matthew 25:31 46 is one of the most dramatic warnings in the New Testament. The prediction is not a parable but contains metaphorical images that were common to parables (use of sheep and goats to symbolize those judged). The identification of this future event is a matter of disagreement among biblical interpreters. While our primary purpose is to focus on the meaning of stranger (Greek, xenos) in Matthew 25:35,38,43,44, a discussion of the identification of this judgment will be necessary. We will study the background of the Greek word in secular Greek culture, its use in the Septuagint (second-century B.C. Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament), and its use by New Testament writers. We will seek to understand how Jesus hearers would understand the term and explore its significance for Christians today. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 95

15 Early Understanding and Practice The basic meaning of xenos from the earliest Greek usage is stranger or alien. The word is used from the perspective of someone in a defined community and refers to someone outside that community (stranger). People s attitudes toward these outsiders were mixed. Some expressed fear and hostility toward strangers. However, Homer and other Greek writers warned that some strangers might be sent by the gods and thus were to be treated with respect. At least officially the mistreatment of strangers was considered a sign of barbarity. 1 Greek and later Roman societies developed a cultural virtue of hospitality (Greek, philoxenia, love of strangers ) based not on fear but concern for outsiders. Xenos occurs 21 times in the Septuagint primarily to translate the Hebrew word nokriy. The text uses the Greek root synonymously with several other Greek words that different English versions of Scripture translate as aliens, sojourners, foreigners, and strangers. The primary distinctions of the stranger from the Old Testament perspective were racial and religious. Strangers were not Israelites and thus not heirs to the covenant promises Abraham and his descendants received. The stranger, however, was protected by the Mosaic law (Ex. 22:21) and was expected to observe certain prohibitions in the law such as Sabbath observances (23:12). Aliens were given certain rights, and Israelites were commanded to love them in remembrance of their own history as strangers in Egypt (Gen. 15:13; Deut. 10:19). Not only was kindness to strangers a reminder of their history in Egypt, but the Jews had another reason for being gracious to those they did not know. The Jews... believed that angels in disguise were sent to determine whether people were obeying the law of hospitality. People were certain the angels were sent to Abraham for this purpose (Gen. 18:2 8) and also to Gideon (Judg. 6:11 12). 2 Hospitality was thus a valued practice in Old Testament society and was to be extended to strangers. Not only was it a societal norm, but it also was an act of obedience to the Old Testament command to provide protection and provision for the aliens who lived among the people of Israel. New Testament Usage Xenos occurs 14 times in the New Testament, and all 5 occurrences in the Gospels are in Matthew (4 in our focal passage in Matt. 25). As mentioned previously, God s exhortation to Israel in the Old Testament to treat Gentiles with kindness was partially based on the fact that the patriarchs lived as strangers in the land for generations. Hebrews 11:13 uses xenos to describe the status of the patriarchs and their families in the days before the conquest by Joshua. Paul used xenos specifically of Gentiles in Ephesians 2:12,19. He contrasted the Gentile believers relationship to the covenants of the promise before and after receiving Christ as Savior. Before they were foreigners to the covenants (v. 12) 3 and after faith in Christ they were fellow citizens with the saints (v. 19). Matthew 27:7 describes the use of the 30 pieces of silver that Judas returned in regret for betraying Jesus. Matthew recorded that the money was used to buy a 96 BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE

16 potter s field as a burial place for foreigners (xenois). From the perspective of those who were descendants of Abraham, Gentiles were strangers. We must now consider the meaning of stranger as Jesus used the term in describing the judgment of the nations. The first important observation is that this judgment is one of separation between the righteous and the cursed. The basis of the judgment is the treatment of individuals who were hungry, thirsty, without shelter, naked, sick, and in prison. Jesus described those in need as being the least of these brothers of Mine (25:40). Jesus use of brothers to identify those helped implies they are believers. Although this passage is often applied to compassionate concern for those who are lost, Jesus emphasis is on concern shown for other followers of Christ. As noted at the beginning of our study, stranger is a relative term depending on one s personal point of view. For the Israelite a stranger was a Gentile. In Greek and Roman society a stranger was someone outside their defined group. In the judgment of the nations, the perspective of the peoples of the world defines the meaning of stranger. The interpretation consistent with the evidence is that these strangers were believers outside the race or culture of those who either helped or refused to help them. Believers have questioned when this judgment will occur. Some interpret this as the final judgment determining salvation. The use of the criteria of works is explained as demonstrating the presence or absence of saving faith in Christ. Others interpret this judgment as a separation of the peoples of the world following the second coming to determine who will enter the millennial kingdom on earth (Rev. 20:1 6). The brothers of Jesus are identified as believing Jews who are assisted by the righteous (believing Gentiles) during the tribulation period. While the differing views of the timing of this judgment in biblical prophecy can be complicated, the virtue Jesus extolled is clear. Extending help toward those outside our circle of acquaintances is a Christian virtue that reveals the presence or absence of saving faith. Hospitality and assistance to strangers were characteristics of the faithful in the Old Testament and are godly virtues under the New Testament as well. The story Jesus told of the Samaritan who helped the man who had been beaten and robbed on the road to Jericho perhaps best illustrates the godly response to strangers in need (Luke 10:30 37). The social barriers that divide so many in our world must never be used as an excuse not to help the strangers we encounter. Each stranger we encounter provides an opportunity to minister to them, and in doing so to minister to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This article by Hal Lane originally appeared in the Fall 2007 issue of Biblical Illustrator magazine. Each quarter Biblical Illustrator offers in-depth articles and information that support our weekly Bible study lessons. You can subscribe to Biblical Illustrator by going to com/biblicalillustrator, by using your church s quarterly literature order form, or by calling H. Bietenhard, xenos, The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology, gen. ed. Colin Brown, vol. 1 (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1986), David L Jenkins, To Practice Hospitality in Biblical Illustrator 32 (Winter ): All Scripture quotations are from the Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 97