HE IS RISEN 84 SPECIAL FOCUS

HE IS RISEN 84 SPECIAL FOCUS

Evidence and eyewitness testimony. 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. 85

GET INTO THE STUDY 5 minutes SAY: Today we have the awesome privilege of celebrating the resurrection of Jesus our Lord. He is risen! SPECIAL FOCUS: HE IS RISEN DISCUSS: Draw attention to the picture on PSG page 82 as you introduce Question #1: When have you said, You have to see it to believe it? GUIDE: Direct attention to The Bible Meets Life (PSG, p. 83). Highlight the point the author makes that we all have moments when the world just seems to go dark. Thankfully we don t have to remain there. Reinforce the importance and relevance of the resurrection by reading The Point (PSG, p. 83): The resurrection of Jesus is a fact you can build your life on. PRAY: Begin the Bible study with prayer. Ask for God s wisdom in understanding His Word in this study. Thank Him for the faith that leads us to finding hope. 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 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. The Passages Luke 24:1-8,36-40 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. 86 SPECIAL FOCUS

Luke 24:1-6a 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. 6a He is not here, but he has risen! KEY WORDS: The Spices (v. 1) The Greek noun aroma refers to any kind of fragrant substance, fragrant spice, salve, oil, or perfume; here specifically those used in burying the dead. The empty tomb points to the resurrection of Jesus. 1 Verse 1. Jesus was crucified and laid in a borrowed tomb on a Friday, and He rose to life victoriously on Sunday, the first day of the week. Sunday, the Christian s Sabbath, commemorates Jesus resurrection. In contrast, the Jewish Sabbath is on Saturday, the last day of the week, commemorating God s rest after creation s work. No one knows the exact time Jesus arose from the dead, but it must have been extremely early on Sunday morning, for the women went to the tomb very early in the morning, a descriptive term that means deep dawn. John 20:1 adds while it was still dark. The women are identified in verse Luke 24:10 as, Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them. Interestingly, in a time when women were less than second-class citizens, these women were the first people to whom Jesus resurrection was revealed. Probably they left home before the sun came up but upon arriving at the tomb the sun had broken through. Another light was about to dawn on them as well: the light of Jesus resurrection from the dead. The women came to the tomb. Tombs in this time and in this place were often carved into existing caves in the rock STUDY THE BIBLE Luke 24:1-6a. 10 minutes SUMMARIZE: Before reading the passage, set the context by summarizing the information in The Setting on page 86. READ: Ask a volunteer to read Luke 24:1-6a. GUIDE: Refer group members to PSG page 84, to explain the Latin word: excruciare. This is where we get the word excruciating. It literally means out of the cross Note that these women had watched Jesus die on the cross and were present when he was placed in the tomb. SUMMARIZE: Use Bible Commentary 1 on this page and page 88 to explain the significance of the first day of the week and the burial preparation process. SUGGESTED USE WEEK OF APRIL 16 87

THE POINT The resurrection of Jesus is a fact you can build your life on. GUIDE: How do we know that Jesus is alive? (PSG, pp. 85-86): 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. 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. GUIDE: Refer group members to Digging Deeper on PSG page 86: Women as Eyewitnesses for more information about the significance of these women being the first to witness the empty tomb. with several chambers for bodies. The body was prepared for burial by wrapping it in long, linen strips like bandages. After the burial preparations, for which the women had come to the tomb, were completed, the bodies were laid on shelves in the rock tomb called niches which were then sealed with a closure stone. The spices were used to prepare the body for burial and offset the odor of decay. The additional spices brought on Sunday to anoint the body of Jesus show proper respect for the dead. Evidently, the women prepared more spices, feeling 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 in order to finalize the process. Either way, the women wanted to complete the burial process. Verse 2. The women knew they would have to deal with the large circular stone probably at least four feet in diameter and fourteen inches thick that was positioned like a cartwheel in a sloping groove that ran across the opening, sealing the tomb. To provide additional security Pilate had, at the request of the chief priests and Pharisees (Matt. 27:62-66), dispatched soldiers to guard the tomb and place a seal on it to secure the tomb. Removing the stone would have been a major obstacle for the women. The stone s sheer size and weight would have made it impossible for them to roll the stone up the slanted channel. The women knew the Roman soldiers would not help them, even in their grief. Furthermore, it would have violated Pilate s orders to break the seal. When the women arrived at the tomb they found the stone rolled away. And, interestingly, the Roman guards were not present nor standing watch, or at least Luke recorded no indication that they were at the scene. Miraculously, God had solved the stone problem for the women. May we be reminded that God rolled away the stone for the women to peer in, not for Jesus to get out. The tomb was open and empty. Jesus was not there. Verse 3. The situation had changed. No longer was there a body for the women to prepare for burial. A sad labor of love was transformed into mystery when they discovered Jesus was not in the tomb. Yet the absence of the body was not sufficient to lead them to belief in Jesus resurrection. As we read later in this story in verse 41, even when Jesus followers saw Him face to face they experienced joy, but they still could not believe. 88 SPECIAL FOCUS

Interestingly, the phrase the Lord Jesus is common in Acts, but this is the only occurrence of it in the Gospels. Somehow Jesus body had been removed, relocated, or resurrected the women were unsure. Verse 4. The women stood surprised and perplexed, unable to adequately understand what was happening. Suddenly two men appeared. The two men were angels. The Old Testament often referred to angels as men because of their human appearance. As angels had appeared, proclaiming the glad tidings of Jesus birth (Luke 2:8-14), angels again appeared, proclaiming the glad tidings of Jesus resurrection. They stood by, which means to step up suddenly or to burst upon a person. The men wore garments of angels their clothes dazzled, radiantly white. In other Gospel accounts, only one angel is mentioned, perhaps only acknowledging the spokesperson for the two. But regardless of the number of angels mentioned, the message was the same Jesus is alive. Verse 5. As in all instances when angels appeared to humans, the women reacted as others had done when seeing celestial beings. They were terrified. Fear was a common response to angelic appearances. Their fear may have been more of a sense of 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. Jesus prior announcement of His resurrection had not been understood, much less believed. The angel s question reminds us that Jesus is not to be thought of as dead; and, therefore, He is not to be sought among the dead. Tombs are for dead people. Jesus is Life itself. The grave cannot contain Him. Death has no power over Him. Satan cannot control Him. Verse 6a. He is not here, but he has risen! is a statement of faith, the capstone of Christianity. The declaration is the very essence of the gospel message that changes people s lives and eternity. Jesus is not dead; He is alive. Jesus is not merely a hero of the past; He is not only a figure in a book; and, He is not merely a model for us to emulate; He is God s living presence to help us live. In contrast to all other leaders of world religions, who died and their grave sites sit undisturbed, Jesus is alive and His grave is empty. DISCUSS: Question #2 (PSG, p. 86): What are some ways our culture tries to explain away Jesus resurrection? (Alternate: What emotions would you have experienced on the way to the tomb?) LEADER PACK: Point to Item 7: Evidence. Ask a volunteer to read the elements of the poster aloud. Ask group members to consider this evidence as we continue to study the resurrection story. TRANSITION: The women were overwhelmed by this event, but soon the angels would help them understand what had happened. 89

THE POINT The resurrection of Jesus is a fact you can build your life on. STUDY THE BIBLE Luke 24:6b-8 READ: Ask a volunteer to read Luke 24:6b-8. 10 minutes SUMMARIZE: Use Bible Commentary 2 to explain why the women might not have understood Jesus prophetic words. GUIDE: Refer group members to PSG pages 87-88 to show that Jesus told His followers repeatedly beforehand that He would rise again. This underscores the validity of the resurrection. This fact reveals: 1. Jesus death was no unfortunate accident. 2. Jesus died on the cross in our place. 3. Jesus defeated death for us. Only God Himself could accomplish all this and He did! Luke 24:6b-8 6b 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. Jesus foretold His resurrection. Verses 6b-7. The angels challenged the women to remember how he spoke to you when he was still in Galilee. Jesus disciples, these women included, had failed to anticipate His pending death and resurrection, but it was not for lack of instruction on Jesus part. He had plainly predicted His resurrection from the dead on the third day in 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. 2 Jesus often spoke metaphorically and His followers may have taken the strange words about resurrection in that way. Or perhaps, in their anguish and grief, they forgot 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. But even today, when we know His words to be a reality grounded in historical fact, many people still fail or refuse to recognize the simple truth of Jesus resurrection. Verse 8. Having been prompted by the angels, the women remembered his words. His words were Jesus prophecies concerning His resurrection. When they realized that not only was Jesus resurrection possible but now a reality, the 90 SPECIAL FOCUS

women recalled Jesus words and interpreted the empty tomb in light of Jesus foretelling. The women 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 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). Luke recorded that Peter went to check out the story for himself and was amazed at what he discovered (v. 12). Luke 24:36-40 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. DISCUSS: Question #3 (PSG, p. 87): Why is it significant that Jesus knew in advance what would happen to Him? (Alternate: Why do you think the disciples missed Jesus predictions about His passion?) TRANSITION: After the women began to spread the message of Jesus resurrection, Jesus appeared to His other disciples as well. STUDY THE BIBLE Luke 24:36-40 15 minutes READ: Read or ask a volunteer to read Luke 24:36-40. The disciples saw Jesus after His resurrection. Before the day was over other disciples would hear the news and see the resurrected Christ. Verses 13-35 recount the experience of Cleopas and another disciple as they made their way that Sunday from Jerusalem back to their homes in Emmaus. As they discussed the disturbing and confusing events of the weekend, they were joined by a third traveler, Jesus, though they did not recognize Him. Jesus inquired as to what they were talking about and the two relayed to Him the happenings regarding the crucifixion and the empty tomb. 91

THE POINT The resurrection of Jesus is a fact you can build your life on. SUMMARIZE: Use Bible Commentary 3 to explain the response of the disciples to Jesus suddenly appearing in their midst, no longer bound by the limitations of an ordinary earthly body. Share why the familiar greeting of peace to you carried a far deeper meaning on this day. SUMMARIZE: Use Bible Commentary 4 on this page and page 93 to explain why the disciples might have been so troubled by Jesus appearance. GUIDE: Refer group members to PSG, p. 89 to the following bullet points: Jesus resurrection provides peace despite our circumstances. Jesus resurrection provides peace when storms of doubt rage in our hearts. DISCUSS: Question #4 (PSG, p. 89): In what specific ways has Christ given you peace? After they explained their cause for discouragement, Jesus expounded to them what Moses and all the Prophets (v. 27) had to say about the Messiah and interpreted to them what Scripture had to say about Him. Surely they had heard many of those things before, but this may have been the first time they had heard those Scriptures properly interpreted. Luke didn t give us details, but he did tell us the two invited Jesus to stay with them and join them for a meal. When Jesus blessed and broke the bread, they suddenly recognized Him and He disappeared from their sight (v. 31). They immediately headed back to Jerusalem to share their joy with the other disciples. 3 Verse 36. The apostles, along with the women and other believers, gathered in the evening to share their exciting stories of Jesus appearing. While the disciples were struggling between hope and despair and while Cleopas and the other disciple were telling about their experience of Jesus encountering them on the road to Emmaus (vv. 13-35), Jesus himself stood in their midst in the room. Although the doors were shut and locked, 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 His followers. He uttered a familiar blessing: Peace to you! It was the normal greeting of the day, but it carried a far deeper meaning on this day. No reason prevailed now for them to fear. The God of peace was with them, not just in Spirit, but in bodily form. Because of Jesus resurrection, believers can now experience peace with God and enjoy the peace of God. Jesus resurrection finished God s work of salvation. Those trusting through sincere faith and obedient action in what Jesus did by dying on the cross for their sins and by rising from the dead will gain victory over sin, death, and hell itself. The faithful believers can now claim Jesus sacrifice and resurrection as their own. He took our place enduring what we deserve as punishment for our sins and experiencing what we need, victory over death. When we take the bold step of faith, we, too, take part in this great miracle that was done for all humankind by a loving and merciful Savior. Those trusting in Christ can discover salvation from sin and the certainty of eternal life. 4 Verse 37. One would possibly think that upon seeing Jesus the believers would sigh in great relief or burst forth in 92 SPECIAL FOCUS

song, but instead they were startled and terrified. Startled is not surprising since, after all, the risen Lord suddenly appeared in their midst behind locked doors. It must have been something of a shock to them for Him to suddenly appear without warning, without knocking, without entering through the door. But they were terrified or frightened. Small wonder they thought they were seeing a ghost, or a disembodied Jesus. There was a popular belief at the time in disembodied spirts or ghosts. Their fear was a natural reaction to the supernatural. Verse 38. Why are you troubled? Jesus asked the assembled followers. 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 them, 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, as the following verses make clear, that the disciples were wondering if Jesus were a ghost. 5 Verse 39. In addition, Jesus sought to calm the disciples not only with His presence but also by showing them His hands and feet, assuring them that He was not a ghost. Jesus command, Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself! was an invitation to look at the marks of His wounds as a means of verifying that it was Jesus Himself who stood before them. Also, this action provides us evidence that Jesus was nailed rather than tied to the cross. Touch me or handle me (same word as used in 1 John 1:1) means to touch with the hand. This action would have shown them that He was not a ghost. The proof of Jesus human body could be felt. Jesus made them realize that it was He Himself in spirit and in body. Jesus presence was not the appearance of a disembodied spirit or ghost, but rather a true resurrection into a new and glorified body. GUIDE: Refer group members to PSG, p. 89 to Jesus offering physical proof that it was He, Himself in the flesh, standing before them. SUMMARIZE: Use Bible Commentary 5 to Jesus invitation to His disciples to examine His body as proof that He was alive, phyically standing before them. DISCUSS: Question #5 (PSG, p. 90): What makes the resurrection so important for believers today? (Alternate: When has remembering God s Word helped you in a crisis?) DO: Invite volunteers to share their responses to the activity on PSG page 90: He Lives. 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. Jesus is the risen Lord. Through His resurrection He conquered death so His followers can experience true, authentic, and everlasting life. The facts are clear Jesus resurrection provides a foundation we can build our lives on. 93

THE POINT The resurrection of Jesus is a fact you can build your life on. LIVE IT OUT 5 minutes GUIDE: Emphasize The Point: The resurrection of Jesus is a fact you can build your life on. REVIEW: Review Live It Out (PSG, p. 91); see text to the right). Encourage each group member to follow through this week with at least one of the applications. LIVE IT OUT How will the truth of the resurrection make a difference in your life? > > Believe. If you have never accepted the truth of Christ s resurrection and what that means for your life, do so now. Read The Event that Changed History on the inside front cover of this book it will change you too. Talk to your group leader about your decision to trust and follow Christ. > > Study. Read further about the historical evidence that proves the resurrection of Christ. Read a book like Buried Hope or Risen Savior by Charles L. Quarles (B&H) or The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel (Zondervan) > > Share. Ask God to open up opportunities for you to share your faith with someone who has yet to believe in Christ. WRAP IT UP GUIDE: Emphasize that the resurrection of Jesus is not only a historical fact, but one that has the power to transform lives today. PRAY: Father, help us to communicate the message of the gospel with clarity and power. Thank You for the new life You have given us through Christ. NOTE: Remind members that PSG pages 8-11 are there so that they may keep an ongoing prayer journal of one another s requests. 94 SPECIAL FOCUS

ILLUSTRATOR PHOTO/ BRITISH MUSEUM/ LONDON (31/26/22) One of four scenes that made up the sides of an ivory box that dated to the 4th century. This scene includes the two Marys and two soldiers sleeping beside an empty sepulcher. This image of the two Marys is unusual; they are seated by the tomb and not approaching it. The women who went to the tomb on Sunday morning bore heavy hearts. Their thoughts were mournful and tragic, so Tellingly, the male disciples found the women s account unbelievable: But these words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believe the women (Luke 24:11). Women were present at this trifecta of vital events: the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Christian apologists maintain that this prominent role is one evidence for the truthfulness of these events. If the Gospel writers were out to invent stories about Jesus dying and rising from the dead, certainly they would have created a story using elements that stood a good chance of being deemed believable in a maledominated culture. What we do SHARING THE GOOD NEWS The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus is a historical reality for which we give thanks to Him through repentance and faith. His resurrection makes a difference in our lives now and forever. Each week, make yourself available either before or after the session to speak privately with anyone in your group who wants to know more about becoming a Christian. See the article, Leading Someone to the Greatest Decision of All, on page 2 for guidance in leading a person to Christ. much so that upon finding the tomb empty, a distraught Mary Magdalene began an inquiry into who had stolen the body. Nothing less than the presence of Jesus Himself standing before her, calling her name, and allowing her a brief embrace awakened her to a more hopeful conclusion. have in the Gospels are accounts that conspicuously include women eyewitnesses as the first to attest to the empty tomb and the risen Lord. The excerpt above is from the article Women as Eyewitnesses (Spring 2012), which relates to this session. More Biblical Illustrator articles are available that relate to this session. See page 7 about Biblical Illustrator. Remind group members that page 2 in the PSG offers guidance in how to become a Christian. Encourage believers to consider using this article as they have opportunities to lead others to Christ. Free additional ideas for your group are available at BibleStudiesforLife.com/AdultExtra 95