He Is Risen STUDY THEME

Transcription

1 STUDY THEME He Is Risen Why This Study Is Important: We are bombarded with information often touted as news that too often is unsubstantiated. When you begin to research the information, it often turns up that facts are skewed and opinions are presented as fact. Many people view Jesus Christ in the same way. What they hear presented as truth gets written off as opinion or simply what someone wants to believe. The resurrection of Jesus Christ, however, is solidly grounded in fact. This study connects to Christ in that we are united with Him in His resurrection. He has conquered sin and death, and we, by virtue of our union with Christ, share in His victory. Today, we live in the resurrection power of God and with a hope that will not and cannot be overcome. Further, this study connects to community in that we celebrate together the victory of Jesus, reminding one another of who we are in Christ and all that He has accomplished for us. There is no more joyous occasion in the church than Easter Sunday. And this study connects to culture in that we are empowered by the Spirit of God to share the good news that Christ is risen to a culture looking for purpose and hope in all the wrong places. The resurrection of Christ makes the claim that the church is on the right side of history. 67

2 SESSION 1 HE IS RISEN THE PASSAGE Luke 24:1-8,36-40 THE POINT The resurrection of Jesus is a fact you can build your life on. THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE We are bombarded with information often touted as news that too often is unsubstantiated. When you research the information, you may discover facts have been skewed and some facts actually are opinions. Many people view Jesus in the same way. What they hear presented as truth gets written off as personal opinion or only something a person has chosen to believe. The resurrection of Jesus Christ, however, is solidly grounded in fact. THE SETTING All three synoptic Gospels describe an early morning visitation by women at Jesus tomb. John focused attention on one woman Mary Magdalene but that does not mean others were not present. A few other minor differences exist in the accounts but none that would call the stories into question. The Gospel writers did not collaborate to create an official record, but as in all Scripture, each wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to suit his literary, didactic, and spiritual purposes. In this session, we will focus attention on Luke s account of two post-resurrection events: the resurrection announcement to some women and Jesus appearance to an assembly of His disciples. 68

3 THE POINT: The resurrection of Jesus is a fact you can build your life on. STUDY THE BIBLE As a believer, you may accept the resurrection as a doctrinal tenant it s what you have been taught or as the conviction of a subjective religious experience your personal encounter with Christ. Both are valid and have value. The resurrection also can be believed because it is fact. The passages from Luke s Gospel that are the basis for this study offer three pieces of evidence that establish the fact of the resurrection of Jesus. It is a fact on which you can build your life. Luke 24:1-6a Who came to the tomb and why did they think it was necessary? Upon arriving, what surprised, perplexed, and frightened them? What was the glorious message they heard? 1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. 3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: 5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? 6a He is not here, but is risen: See the Empty Tomb. The continuative particle now connects the events of chapter 24 with what is recorded in the closing verses of chapter 23. Remember, the chapter and verse designations were not part of the original text but added centuries later. While the designations are a great convenience in identifying and locating Scripture portions, sometimes the breaks interrupt the flow of a story. According to 23:50-54, Joseph of Arimathaea was given permission to take Jesus body from the cross. He did some preliminary preparation of the body before placing it in a tomb recently hewn in stone. Joseph acted quickly because it was the day of preparation, a term applied to the day preceding the Sabbath when tasks essential 69

4 Session 1 He Is Risen for Sabbath observance were completed. He must complete the burial before the Sabbath began lest he be in violation of the sacred law of the Sabbath. We are accustomed to thinking of a new day beginning in the morning hours. Actually, the Jewish Sabbath began at sundown, or approximately 6 p.m. As we reckon time, most Bible expositors agree that Jesus was crucified on Friday and His death occurred about 3 p.m. Thus, Joseph would have had only a few hours until the beginning of the Sabbath. According to 23:55-56, some of the faithful women had followed Joseph to the tomb and observed the place and manner of the burial. They quickly returned home to prepare burial spices, indicating they were aware that more needed to be done to complete a proper burial. However, not only were these women faithful to Jesus, they were faithful observers of the commandments concerning the Sabbath, so they rested on the holy day. The Sabbath ended at sundown on Saturday evening. While that also would mark the beginning of the first day of the week our Sunday the women would not have ventured to the tomb to do their work in the darkness of the night. However, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, a word meaning grave or tomb. Very early in the morning likely indicates they left their homes in the gray that often precedes the glow of dawn, allowing them to arrive at or just after sunrise. Luke did not indicate who was included in the plural pronoun they until 24:10: Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James. They brought with them the spices which they had prepared. Thus, we see additional evidence of their intentions. Anointing a body with spices, usually aloe and myrrh, was an important part of the burial process. Because of climatic conditions and in the absence of embalming technique, burial normally took place within 24 hours of death. Joseph knew with the Sabbath approaching, he only had a few hours to complete the burial. While he loosely wrapped the body, he may not have had time to secure and anoint the body with the aromatic spices. Normally, the body was washed, and then some spices were applied directly to the body before the initial wrapping. Other spices were sprinkled in the folds of the linen cloths that were used in subsequent wrappings. The women appear to have come to add the spices and perhaps to do the final wrapping. 70

5 THE POINT: The resurrection of Jesus is a fact you can build your life on. The phrase and certain others with them found in verse 1 in the King James Version is another way of indicating a larger group of women than the three named went to the tomb. A similar phrase is found in verse 10. Apparently, Joseph had sealed the tomb with a large stone. Of course, he would, to prevent scavengers wildlife or human beings from invading the tomb and disturbing the body. A large stone was often placed in an inclined groove in front of the tomb s opening. This groove allowed the stone to be rolled downhill to close the tomb. Moving the stone to open the tomb would have been a much more difficult task. Luke does not say whether the women were concerned about the stone as they walked to the burial site, but only that when they arrived, they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. He offers no explanation about how it happened. Obviously, the resurrection had occurred prior to their arrival. The stone was not rolled away so that Jesus could get out, for he was already gone. It was rolled aside so others could get in and see for themselves that Jesus had indeed risen from the dead. 1 They responded as we might expect. They entered in. The tomb was large enough for all three to enter, indicating that Joseph may have prepared the tomb for himself and other family members. Next is one great evidential fact of the story: they found not the body of the Lord Jesus. We can only speculate what thoughts flooded their minds, the expressions on their faces, or the looks in their eyes in that instance. Apparently, they said nothing. But then, what could they say? They were much perplexed thereabout. Perplexed denotes to be entirely at loss. Thereabout refers to the situation they faced; what they saw or in this case did not see. They were wondering about this (NIV). They stood there puzzled (NLT). As, or while (CSB), they were processing their own puzzled thoughts, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. The word rendered men is a generic word in Greek for male, but clearly, the two were anything but ordinary men. They seemed to appear suddenly, as if out of nowhere. Their shining garments, or dazzling apparel (ESV), suggested they were celestial beings. Such brilliance often symbolized purity and holiness. The response of the women would suggest they saw them as more than mere men. They were afraid, a reaction found often among 71

6 Session 1 He Is Risen those who experience angelic visitations. Afraid is rendered in some other English translations as terrified (NASB, CSB, NLT), a much more forceful term. In addition, they paid homage to their visitors. They bowed down their faces to the earth, an act of humility on the part of the women. However, they were not worshiping the angels but only acknowledging their preeminence as messengers of God. The question posed by the heavenly messengers was offered not to collect information but to challenge the women to reconsider the situation. They had come to the place of the dead to anoint one they were convinced was dead. They expected to find their Master s lifeless body still lying on the cold slab of rock. Why seek ye the living among the dead? Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? (NLT). Without question Jesus had died, though throughout history some have attempted to build a case that Jesus only feigned death. The Roman soldiers who carried out the execution would have been offended by such an argument. This was not their first crucifixion. They were professionals in their trade, despicable as it was. Jesus followers were convinced He was dead. Hence, Joseph wrapped Him in cloths according to burial customs and placed Him in a tomb. The women were certain He was dead. They had observed the burial, and they had returned this early morning to complete what Joseph had begun. Let there be no question about it. Jesus died a cruel death on an executioner s cross. Next came the greatest declaration in human and salvation history: He is not here, but is risen. Risen comes from a word that means to arouse or to awake. It was used to speak of arousing one from the sleep of death, recalling the dead to life. Hence, he has risen! (CSB). The resurrection is to be understood as a physical occurrence. The body was gone. Jesus was not raised as a ghost. The tomb was empty because He lives! Nevertheless, by itself the empty tomb did not prove Jesus had been raised, but it did indicate something unusual and significant had happened. The angels words affirmed what actually had happened. The women saw the evidence and heard the message. Before long, they would become the first of many witnesses who would declare, He lives! 72

7 THE POINT: The resurrection of Jesus is a fact you can build your life on. What are some lasting truths that come from Luke 24:1-6a? 1. The death of Jesus was real, but it is not the end of the gospel story. 2. Jesus is not found among the dead things of the ancient past but is alive and ever present, even today. 3. Jesus has risen from the dead! Luke 24:6b-8 Why should the women have not been surprised at what they saw? What is the meaning of Son of Man? What words indicate divine necessity and divine control over what happened to Jesus? Explain the concept of third day. 6b remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, 7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. 8 And they remembered his words, Remember Jesus Words. From the advantage of our retrospective view of the resurrection, we may wonder why the women and others were surprised to learn about Jesus resurrection. He had tried to prepare them for His death and assure them of His resurrection at least three times. Thus the angels continued, remember how he spake unto you when he was in Galilee. Could they not recall or bring to mind what they had been told (9:22,44; 18:32-33)? Galilee is the name of a region of northern Palestine where much of Jesus ministry was focused. The region included His hometown of Nazareth and Capernaum, which became the base of His ministry activity and a place where He performed many miracles. He traveled the roads from town to town accompanied by the Twelve and other disciples, including some of these very women (compare 8:1-3; 23:49 with 24:10). Jesus had not wanted them to be surprised or caught off guard. So, He told them, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. Clearly, those first two events had taken place. The third event was more than they could comprehend when first told to them and had become lost in the darkness of Golgotha and the gloom of the tomb. 73

8 Session 1 He Is Risen Son of man is rooted in the prophecies of Ezekiel and Daniel. In Ezekiel, it serves as a poetic synonym for man or human being. In Daniel, the title is used to identify the glorious person who comes in the clouds to receive dominion and glory. Son of man became Jesus favorite designation of Himself for it pointed to His full humanity and His messianic mission, both critical elements in understanding who Jesus is as the incarnate Christ. Must indicates divine necessity or purpose; it focuses on the unfolding of God s redemptive plan. Be delivered means to give into the hands of another or to give over into one s power or use. The Lord never lost control of what happened to Him. He gave Himself to others; they did not take Him. Be crucified also implies that God was in control in that Jesus was given over to sinful men for this purpose. Sinful describes the disposition and the action taken by the men who carried out Jesus execution meaning those who advocated for it, authorized it, and administered it. The third day is to be understood according to the Hebrew way of reckoning time. A day was any part of a day. Jesus was buried on Friday before sundown, the first day; the Sabbath or Saturday was the second day; and Sunday the first day of the week was the third day. Rise again is from a different word than risen in verse 6. It means to cause to rise up and is the word from which the word resurrection is derived. The cause was none other than the power of God the Father, another indication that God was in control of all that was occurring (also see Eph. 1:19-20). Verse 8 is a simple statement. And they remembered his words. Who has not forgotten something that came back to mind when someone offered a reminder? The heavenly messengers jarred the memory of the women, releasing the great promise from the feelings of despair that had captivated their thinking. Jesus had been raised from the dead, just as He had predicted. What are some lasting truths that come from Luke 24:6b-8? 1. The Lord s Word is given to us to teach and prepare us for what lies ahead. 2. The Lord s Word is true and He is faithful to it. 3. Recalling the words of Jesus can bring peace and hope to us during troubled times. 4. Even in what appears to be the worst of circumstances, God is 74

9 THE POINT: The resurrection of Jesus is a fact you can build your life on. still in control, and He will accomplish His redemptive plan and fulfill His holy purpose. Luke 24:36-40 What happened that indicates Jesus resurrected body was different? What evidence is there that His resurrected body was different? Why did Jesus invite the disciples to examine His wounded hands and feet? 36 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. 38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. 40 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. Consider the Disciples Testimony. The remainder of the first day was a busy one for the disciples of Jesus around Jerusalem. The women shared their incredible story. The apostles considered it nonsense. Peter ran to the tomb to see for himself, but still he left unsure of how to interpret what he had seen. Sometime later that day, Jesus appeared to him. In addition, two other men had a remarkable encounter with the risen Jesus as they traveled from Jerusalem to their homes in Emmaus. Upon realizing who their fellow traveler had been, they returned to Jerusalem to share their story with an assembly of the eleven along with others who had followed Jesus. While everyone shared their story of the day, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them. His appearance was mysterious, unexpected, and instantaneous. One second He was not there; the next second He was in the middle of the group. Hence, they were terrified and affrighted. They supposed that they had seen a spirit. They thought they were seeing a ghost (CSB). How else could they explain such an appearance of one they knew had died? Jesus first words to them were Peace be unto you. This was a common greeting whenever individuals met each other, but in this 75

10 Session 1 He Is Risen case, the words were intended to bring calm and quietness to the moment by bringing peace to their hearts. He continued to speak. Why are you troubled? Troubled means agitated, disquieted, or internally agitated. Why do thoughts arise in your hearts? In this usage, thoughts denotes deliberating, questioning, doubting, or disputing the truth of something. They didn t couldn t or wouldn t believe what they were seeing. Obviously, the disciples recognized Jesus; He looked like Himself. Just as obvious, however, something was different about Him. He lacked physical limitation; He didn t enter the room through the door. So what was He spirit or flesh? Jesus set out to teach them something about the resurrection body. He was not a figment of their imagination or an apparition, but He also was not the physical being they had known. Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Though not explicitly stated, perhaps Jesus intent was to call attention to the scars in His flesh produced by the spikes used to affix Him to the cross. Handle me, and see. Handle means to touch and feel. He invited them to learn about Him, experience Him, acquire an understanding about Him, through a careful examination, using the senses of sight and touch. And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. He made Himself openly available to them. Such is the gracious Lord to us even during our times of unbelief. They would discover He was a real being in a real body, for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. Their hands would not pass through Him as if He were a spirit, apparition, or ghost. Neither could they gaze through Him as if He were some kind of shadowy form. While they, as we, may be puzzled about the full nature of the resurrected body, the one who stood before them was Jesus. He was alive; He was real. In days to come, the disciples would declare to others Jesus was alive. They knew it was true because they had seen Him. What are some lasting truths that come from Luke 24:36-40? 1. Jesus comes to reveal Himself to us and to bring peace to our troubled lives. 2. Even though we may have struggles of faith, the Lord continually offers Himself to us and challenges us to test that He is who He says He is and capable of doing what He says He will do. 3. Our experiences with the living Lord prepares us to share the truth of Christ with others. 76

11 THE POINT: The resurrection of Jesus is a fact you can build your life on. LIVE IT OUT A strong presentation of evidence is essential to the effectiveness of a trial. Evidence falls into two categories. Circumstantial evidence comes from a review of circumstances that could lead one to a particular conclusion. Direct evidence comes from witnesses who actually saw a specific person engage in a specific action. The Bible study for today presented both circumstantial and direct evidence for the resurrection of Jesus. What examples of direct and circumstantial evidence do you see in the Scripture passages for this session? How do they support the fact of Jesus resurrection? How is the resurrection a fact on which you are building your life? In what way do you give evidence that Jesus is the living Lord? 1 Bruce B. Barton, Linda Chaffee Taylor, and David R. Veerman, Luke, in Life Application Bible Commentary (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale, 1997),