GOD IS FAITHFUL
We are bombarded with information. Much of this information is touted as news which too often is unsubstantiated and/or spun for a false purpose. When we begin to really research the information, it often turns up that facts are skewed and opinions are presented as fact. Even when people have the best intentions, they aren’t always able to do what they say or they cause confusion. This creates skeptics and that can be good but not always. If people experience enough untrue information or opinions, this can cause others to lose hope. Many people view Jesus Christ with unbelief even though He is real and there is clear information to support Him. What many hear presented as truth gets written off as opinion or simply what someone wants to believe. Many say they have to see it to believe it. The resurrection of Jesus is a fact we can build our life on. There were so many eye-witnesses of Jesus’ life, crucifixion, resurrection, many appearances after His resurrection, and His ascension (right before the disciples’ eyes). Now, as believers, we can fell and even hear the Holy Spirit, which was predicted by Jesus just prior to His ascension. The resurrection of Jesus Christ, as reported by so many, proves Jesus is the true Messiah and it is grounded in fact. God remained faithful to what He said He’d do, and proved His faithfulness when He raised Jesus from the dead. We have a sure hope because God is faithful.
Read Luke 24:1-3
We all know this story and have read it many times. None of the Gospels records all the resurrection appearances of Jesus. Each evangelist told of the resurrection in light of his distinctive purpose. Luke emphasized the reality of the resurrection and the difference it made in the lives of the disciples. Although Jesus’ followers had heard Him predict His death and resurrection, they were not expecting Him to be raised from the dead (vv.1-12). They believed only after they had seen the risen Lord for themselves (vv.33-43). The Lord helped them see the cross as a triumph, not a tragedy (vv.13-32). He commissioned His followers to be His witnesses to all nations (vv. 44-49). Thus, although the disciples of Jesus had been in despair when He had left them earlier, they were able to live in confident joy after His ascension (vv.50-53).
These verses tell of the empty tomb, which points to Jesus’ resurrection. Some skeptics try to explain away the resurrection Jesus. One of their theories is that the disciples saw someone or something they mistook for Jesus. This assumes that the disciples were anxiously awaiting the resurrection. To the contrary, the New Testament shows that they were not expecting Jesus to be raised for the dead. Luke 24:11 is clear evidence of this fact. The women had seen the empty tomb (vv.1-3) and had heard the angels say that Jesus was alive (vv. 4-7). However, when they reported this to the disciples (vv. 8-10), “these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them” (v.11). Some of the men went to the tomb and found it empty (vv.12, 24), but they still were not convinced. Only later, when they saw Jesus for themselves, did they believe (vv. 33-43).
The women brought spices to the tomb as we would bring flowers- as a sign of love and respect. The women went home and kept the Sabbath as their law required, from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday, before gathering up their spices and perfumes and returning to the tomb. For the women, the mystery of that Sunday morning deepened. When they arrived, the large stone had been moved, announcing something had occurred. Did the women approach the entrance cautiously or did they rush right in? The Gospel narratives do not inform us. However, Luke clearly stated what the women observed inside the tomb. The body of Jesus was not there. Except for the presence of the burial cloths (John 20:6-7), the tomb was empty. Though they did not yet understand it, God had faithfully raised Jesus, making the impossible possible.
Read Luke 24:4-8
The two angels (appearing as “two men”…clothed in dazzling robes) asked the women why they were looking in a tomb for someone who was alive. Often we run into people who are looking for God among the dead. They study the Bible as a mere historical document and go to church as if going to memorial service. But Jesus is not among the dead- He lives! Listen to the Choir’s songs today. He reigns in the hearts of Christians, and He is the head of His church. We need to look for Jesus among the living. We can expect Him to be active in the world and in the church. Look for signs of His power – they are all around us.
The angels stood by the women in dazzling clothes and reminded the women that Jesus had predicted His death and resurrection while He was still in Galilee (vv.6-7). The women remembered His words. So, how could the disciples have heard these predictions and not been expecting Jesus to be raised from the dead? They had heard what He said, but they had not understood (Mark 9:32; Luke 9:45; 18:34). They had their own expectations about what the Messiah was to be and to do. They, as did most all believers, that Jesus came to set-up an earthly kingdom right now. Therefore, they heard only what they expected to hear (9:22). Jesus had told His disciples repeatedly beforehand that He would rise again. This was a promise that was fulfilled and so will His promise to return again. This underscores the validity of the resurrection, which is a fact revealed by: 1) Jesus’ death was no unfortunate accident; 2) Jesus died on the cross in our place; and 3) Jesus defeated death for us. Only God Himself could accomplish all this- and He did!
The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the central fact of Christian history. On it, the church is built, without it there would be no Christian church today. Jesus’ resurrection is unique. Other religions have strong ethical systems, concepts about paradise and the afterlife, and various Holy Scriptures. Only Christianity has a God who became human, literally died for His people, and was raised again in power and glory to rule His church forever.
The Resurrection is so important because: 1) Christ was raised from the dead, we know that the Kingdom of Heaven has broken into earth’s history. Our world is now headed for redemption, not disaster. God’s mighty power is at work destroying sin, creating new lives, and preparing us for His coming, 2) Because of the Resurrection, we know that death has been conquered and we, too, will be raised from the dead to live forever with Christ, 3) The Resurrection gives authority to the church’s witness in the world. Look at the early evangelistic sermons in the Book of Acts- the apostles’ most important message was the proclamation that Jesus Christ had been raised from the dead, 4) The Resurrection gives meaning to the church’s sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. Like Jesus’ followers on the Emmaus Road, we break bread with our risen Lord, who comes in power to save us, 5) The Resurrection helps us find meaning even in great tragedy as it gives us all hope for the future,6) The Resurrection assures us that Christ is alive and ruling His Kingdom. He is not a legend: He is alive and real, and 7) God’s power that brought Jesus back from the dead is available to us so that we can live for Him in an evil world.
Christians can look very different from one another, and they can hold widely varying beliefs about politics, life-style, and even theology. But one central belief unties and inspires all true Christians: Jesus Christ rose from the dead.
Read Luke 24:9-12
People who hear about the Resurrection for the first time may need time before they can comprehend this amazing story. Like the disciples, they may pass through four stages belief: 1) At first, they may think it is a fairy tale, impossible to believe, 2) Like Peter, they may check out the facts but still be puzzled about what happened, 3) Only when they encountered Jesus personally will they be able to accept the fact of the Resurrection, 4) Then, as they commit themselves to serving Him, they will begin fully to understand the reality of His presence with them.
A comparison of all four Gospel accounts suggests Mary Magdalene apparently fled the tomb after seeing the stone rolled away from the entrance. She ran to find Peter and reported, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put Him” (John 20:2). From John 20:3-4, we learn that another disciple ran to the tomb with Peter. That other disciple was almost certainly John, the author of the fourth Gospel. So, when Peter raced to the tomb, John followed him. John soon overtook Peter, but Peter was the first to look inside the tomb. Peter saw the linen cloths but did not enter. As John stood looking into the empty tomb, Peter entered the tomb for a closer look. Luke reports that Peter was amazed at the events that had occurred. At this point, Peter had not met the risen Christ, nor had he comprehended the Old Testament’s predictions concerning the Messiah’s death and resurrection. Peter was beginning to believe something miraculous and inexplicable had occurred.
He paid for our salvation and gained 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 on which we can build our lives. Even though Peter still did not believe Jesus was alive, God is not bound by unbelief and proved as much with the resurrection.
LEARN TO BE A MORE POSITIVE PERSON AND HAVE MORE JOY
REVELATION: What are Christians Affirmations? They are a method to reprogram your mind to gain spiritual confidence in agreement with God's word. It is a marvelous way to gain an amazing insight into God's loving character. Affirmations that lift your life.
