“Understanding the Resurrection”
Luke 24:1-12
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? He is not here, but is risen!” [Luke 24:5]
This is the historical record of the empty tomb. Jesus had risen and the women who came that morning “bringing the spices which they had prepared…found the stone rolled away from the tomb.” [Lk 24:1-2] Being “greatly perplexed,” they saw two angles who said the words that will ever be remembered, “He is not here, but is risen!”
Christ is risen! It is the masterpiece of the Christian faith. Disprove the Resurrection and Christianity goes away. And you know what? Many have tried. C.S. Lewis [Chronicles of Narnia] and Josh McDowell [Evidence That Demands a Verdict], two well-known authors tried and failed. They sought to disprove the Resurrection but, in the end, became believers and then prominent writers defending the Resurrection. It is interesting how that happens. When we truly and honestly study Scripture, believing the Resurrection is sure to follow.
But what did the Resurrection accomplish? What did it mean for the disciples? What does it mean for us? Do we truly understand the Resurrection and its implications?
We will look at some of Paul’s doctrinal letters for answers to these questions, paying particular attention to 1 Corinthians 15. This is the classic chapter on the Resurrection and what it means for the church. “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.” [1 Cor 15:19]
In this Paul lays out a logical argument why we have hope. Hope rests upon Jesus raised. Ponder that for a moment. If Jesus isn’t raised, then there is no hope, not for you or I or anyone else in this life. It becomes this life only and nothing else after.
HOWEVER, the good news is that He is raised; the tomb was [and remains] empty. No critic or adversary has found our Lord’s body. Why? Because His body was raised [resurrected], and He is now living at the Right Hand of the Father in heaven just as the Scriptures say.
There is so much to understand and rejoice in the Resurrection and we will do just that in these final weeks of our study of the Gospel of Luke.
