| Introduction It is now the third day since Christ was crucified. Even though the hymn says that "the three sad days have quickly sped," I am sure it didn't seem that way to the apostles. The morale among the disciples was dismal (the two men walking to Emmaus in vv. 18-21). There is an atmosphere of fear among those who followed Jesus. Confusion really is the word of the day in the upper room in Jerusalem. Since Friday, the only thing that has really happened is that some of the women went to the market Saturday night to buy embalming spices in preparation for the dreadful task of getting Jesus's body ready for a proper burial, Mk. 16:1. The brief treatment given to body on Friday late afternoon wasn't enough for the long run, Jn. 19:39. Now, very early in the morning (Mt. 28:1 says day break), the women start the track to the tomb in order to finish Jesus's burial preparations. But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. A. There are no witnesses to the moment of the resurrection. 1. That Jesus rose from the dead no one who is sane can deny. 2. But when and how, no one knows. B. The open tomb was for the benefit of those who were coming to the tomb because it doesn't seem like Jesus needed it open for him. Jn. 20:19 – Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, "Peace be with you." And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. 5 Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, 7saying, 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.'" A. When the women found the tomb open and empty, they were perplexed because they were operating under the idea that someone had move the body. Jn. 20:2 – Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him." B. As they are trying to figure out what possibly could have happened to Jesus's body, the Lord mercifully sent them angels to remind them of the Word. 1. In times of perplexity, the simplest, best answer is the one presented by the Word of God, which is the answer of faith – God said it, that settles it. 2. The angels remind us that the only possible, plausible explanation for why the body is not there is that Jesus rose from the dead. a. The empty tomb is an undeniable historical fact that is not disputed by anyone of consequence. b. Throughout history, however, many theories have been presented as to why the body disappeared, but none really holds water. 1) Jesus's enemies hid the body – if this was the case, as soon as the apostles started proclaiming the resurrection, they could produce the body and that would be the end of Christianity. 2) Jesus's disciples hid the body – it is very difficult for people to die for what they know is a lie. 3) Jesus got better from all the wounds suffered during the passion, including a spear hit to the heart, and walked out on his own (Swoon theory). 4) The real Jesus was never crucified. It was a doppelganger (a look alike) on the cross. c. All of these theories are more incredible than the one offered in the Bible: the Son of God was raised from the dead by the Father in the power of the Spirit. And they remembered His words. 9 Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles. A. The women remembered what Jesus told them and go back to the apostles, though still a bit confused by what is going on. B. Mark tells us that the angels sent them back to the apostle, especially back to Peter (the beginning of the restoration that we see completed in John 21). C. Do you notice how Luke emphasize the women? 1. On a rainy Sunday afternoon, trace the references to faith women in the Luke-Act complex. 2. You will be amazed by how important to the Christian ministry women are even though they don't hold office in the church. 3. Despite what you may read or hear in some versions of history, Christ and Christianity has elevated the place of women in culture wherever it has gone. And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them. A. The apostles think that the women are pulling their legs and just become more confused, 21-24. B. Till the Holy Spirit commissions them to the Gospel ministry on the day of Pentecost, the apostles are a very timid, confused, and unbelieving bunch. But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened. A. Peter grabs on to the hope and runs! 1. If there is a chance that Jesus is alive, he wants to see it for himself. 2. We know that Peter didn't go alone. Jn. 20:3-8 – Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there;yet he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. b. Here we have possibly the youngest and oldest apostles on a foot race to the tomb. B. But even here they were not yet convinced (know=believe). Jn. 20:9 – For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. 36 Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, "Peace to you." A. As the disciples are trying to put all the bits and pieces of information that they have gathered concerning what happened to Jesus's body, Jesus appears to them all except for Thomas who had forsaken the assembly of the saints. B. People left when this point is made, but it is true beyond any contestation that those believers who choose not to be with God's people on the Lord's Day are missing out on meeting with Jesus. 37 But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. 38And He said to them, "Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have." 40When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. 41 But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, "Have you any food here?" 42 So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. 43 And He took it and ate in their presence. A. Do you ever wonder why Jesus decided to have a snack at this crucial point? The reason is love! B. Out of love for the disciples and for us, Jesus provides physical evidence that he is alive by showing them his wounds and telling them to touch him and then by eating with them. 1. Ghosts or apparitions can't do that. 2. This experience impacted John so much that when he wrote to the church over 50 years later, he starts with this idea of touching Jesus. 1 Jn. 1:1 – That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life…. 44 Then He said to them, "These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me." 45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. 46 Then He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48And you are witnesses of these things. A. After the disciples calmed down, Jesus opened up the Scriptures to them. B. It is immensely that the post-resurrection time Jesus had with his disciples is mostly spent in the Bible. C. The Son of God was with himself them and he submitted himself to what the Bible said. D. If Jesus walked in church today and spoke to us, he would do that by opening the bible. Application & Conclusion – Why rise again? · Jesus rose again so that repentance and forgiveness could be preached to all nations (people groups). · The resurrection was the Father's declaration that the sacrifice of Jesus was accepted and that sin no longer has dominion over those who believe in the resurrected Christ. · The resurrection is the Father's declaration that Jesus Christ is duly crowned King over all things – all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to him and on that authority he commands, "Disciple the nations!" · The resurrection secures our regeneration and gives us hope. 1 Pt. 1:3 – Blessed bethe God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…. "There is a hope that burns within my heart, that gives me strength for every passing day; a glimpse of glory now revealed in meagre part, yet drives all doubt away: I stand in Christ, with sins forgiven; and Christ in me, the hope of heaven! My highest calling and my deepest joy, to make His will my home. There is a hope that lifts my weary head, a consolation strong against despair, that when the world has plunged me in its deepest pit, I find the Saviour there! Through present sufferings, future's fear, He whispers 'courage' in my ear. For I am safe in everlasting arms, and they will lead me home. There is a hope that stands the test of time, that lifts my eyes beyond the beckoning grave, to see the matchless beauty of a day divine when I behold His face! When sufferings cease and sorrows die, and every longing satisfied. Then joy unspeakable will flood my soul, for I am truly home." Stuart Townend & Mark Edwards · Not only his life and death, but also Jesus's resurrection save us and the same power that brought Jesus from the dead that is working in us right now. Eph. 1:15-21 – Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: 17that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Himat His right hand in the heavenly places,21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. · One last thing, the resurrection brings newness of life. Rom. 6:1-12 – What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of Hisresurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10 For the deaththat He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.
Jesus is risen! He conquered sin and death. He has opened the doors of heaven for us. He is the King eternal. Jesus is risen!
http://olympiabp.blogspot.com/2018/03/the-king-has-risen-luke-24.html
|  | Send olympiabp blog feed to OBPC Podcast |  |  | |
