Question

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THE RISEN CHRIST

 

Luke 24:1-35

Key Verse: 24:6

"He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee..."

1.  Describe the visit of the women to the tomb (1-12). Why did they go? What did they find? What was the message of good news they received?

2. What did they remember?(9:22,44;18:31-33) What did they do? Why the apostles did not believe the women? How did Peter react?  

3. Why were these two disciples leaving Jerusalem? Describe their encounter with Jesus. What facts did they know about Jesus? Why were they so sorrowful?

4. How did the Risen Jesus rebuke them? (25)What did Jesus teach them? (Ps 118:22;Acts 2:25-28;Dt 18:18;Ps 16:8-11; Act 3:21-26). When did they recognize him?

5. Why did these two disciples return to Jerusalem? What good news did they hear and what good news did they share? Why is it important to believe the resurrection of Jesus?

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Attachment

• THE RISEN CHRIST(Luke24)-questions-2012.doc

Message

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2012 Missouri Valley Easter Conference Message 3

It is true! He has risen!

Luke 24:1-44

Key verses 24:6, 7 “He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.”

Good morning. Happy Easter! Have you enjoyed this beautiful place and tasted God’s words so far? Today’s we would like to listen to God’s words on Jesus’ resurrection. Please listen carefully. Through this Easter conference, we are walking through the pillars of the Gospel: Jesus’ death and resurrection. Let me ask you a question. What was your impression when you first heard a message of Jesus’ resurrection? I think that people generally respond in two ways. First, they would say, ‘It does not make sense. How can a dead person come back to life?’ This type of response comes from the modern[JAR1]  world. Second, they would say, ‘Well, this seems a wonderful story. But it does not matter to me.’ This is a typical response from the post-modern world. Surprisingly, the Author Luke had in mind responses from both the modern and post-modern world. Luke’s Gospel does not deploy theology on Jesus’ resurrection like 1 Corinthians 15. Rather, Luke’s Gospel provides convincing evidence of Jesus’ resurrection. The heart of my message is two fold: (1) it is true that Jesus has risen. (2) Jesus’ resurrection really matters to us.

First, it is true that Jesus has risen.

In today’s passage, there are three events: (1) the women and two angels in Jesus’ tomb, (2) two disciples’ encounter with Jesus on the road to Emmaus and (3) Jesus’ appearance to the Eleven. All these events provide evidence of Jesus’ resurrection.

First, the empty tomb and two angels testified Jesus’ resurrection. Look at verses 1 through 6. “On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took spices and went to the tomb. [1]” When they arrived at the tomb, the stone at the entrance was rolled away and the tomb was empty. This is an evidence of Jesus’ resurrection. Jesus’ tomb was secured in three ways: (1) A large stone weighed about 2 tons, (2) A strictly trained Roman guard unit, consisted of four soldiers, (3) A Roman seal affixed to the stone, a representation of the power and authority of the Roman Emperor. If someone breaks the seal, it means automatic crucifixion upside down. With such a high level of security, how could thieves have dared to steal Jesus’ body, fighting with trained soldiers, moving the heavy stone and risking their lives? In addition, two angels, God’s messengers, testified to Jesus’ resurrection when the women wondered what had happened. The two angels came in and delivered the Good News, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? [5] He is not here; he has risen! [6]”

Next, the Risen Jesus himself testified concerning his resurrection. He appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus and to the Eleven in Jerusalem, respectively. Look at verses 13 through 16. On the same day when the angels proclaimed the message of Jesus’ resurrection, Cleopas and another disciple were going to a village called Emmaus. They left Jerusalem with disappointment, frustration and the fear of being arrested by religious leaders. When they were talking with each other about everything that had happened, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them. After the Bible study and fellowship with Jesus, disciples’ eyes were opened and they recognized Jesus. Then they came to believe Jesus’ resurrection. Immediately, they got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they met and said to the Eleven with excitement and assurance, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” [JAR2] While they were still talking about this, Jesus appeared to the disciples. Again, Jesus himself proved that he has risen with a new body. He showed them his hands and feet, and he allowed them to touch his body. The risen Christ demonstrated that he is not a ghost. In front of his disciples, Jesus took a piece of broiled fish and ate it. Ghosts do not eat food. Nor does it have flesh and bones. Jesus proved that his resurrection was abodily resurrection. It is not a hologram of Jesus.

Further, it is the Scriptures that testified to Jesus’ resurrection. The risen Christ is the reality of God’s promise. The resurrection of Jesus did not happen by chance. Rather, it is God’s will and God’s plan. The resurrection accounts in this passage turn our attention to the Scriptures. The author Luke connected Jesus’ resurrection to the Scriptures. In verses 6 and 7, two angels said, “He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.” The same message echoes in the other accounts. Jesus said to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory? [25, 26]” He also said to the Eleven, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms. [44]” Jesus’ resurrection is accomplished by the zeal of the LORD Almighty. [Isa 9:7] The fulfillment of God’s promise is a ‘must.’ So, the author Luke highlighted this point, using the Greek word ‘dei’ three times, which means ‘it is necessary.’

Then, why is Jesus’ resurrection necessary? What is the significance of Jesus’ resurrection? First, the resurrection affirmed the prophetic words concerning the Messiah. God promised the Messiah’s resurrection throughout the Old Testament. For instance, Isaiah 53:10-11 said, “Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand. After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.” Psalm 118:22-24, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. The LORD has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.”

Next, Jesus’ resurrection gives us the confirmation that the sacrifice of Christ satisfied God’s justice by making payment for our guilt and condemnation. [1Jn 2:2] In Genesis 3, when Adam committed sins by Satan’s deception, God punished Adam, “You will surely die.” Since then, all descendants of the Fallen Man die once. There is no exception. However, God promised to send the Messiah to save us from eternal condemnation throughout the Old Testament—Moses, all the Prophets and the Psalms. As he promised, God sent us his one and only Son in order to redeem us from the power of sins. In our place, like one of us, Jesus went through death and was buried in the tomb. Then, on the third day, God raised him from the dead, showing God’s acceptance of the sin offering he himself had prepared for us in the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ.

Lastly, the resurrection demonstrates the Captain of our salvation defeated the enemies of sins, death and Satan. It was impossible for death to keep its hold on Jesus. [Ac 2:24] The resurrection is a declaration of Jesus’ victory over Satan. The sting of death, sin, has been taken away. The spiritual battle is over. Satan’s accusations are no longer effective when we have faith in the Risen Christ.

It is true! Jesus has risen! Would you accept the Good News of Jesus’ resurrection? Still, some of you may not accept the Good News. To be honest, it is not surprising that you do not accept Jesus’ resurrection at first glance. In reality, at first, the women and disciples in this passage did not accept Jesus’ resurrection. The women visited Jesus’ tomb with spices for Jesus’ dead body, not expecting his resurrection. The disciples did not believe the resurrection, either. It seemed to them like nonsense. In fact, Jesus’ resurrection transcends our understanding and reasoning. So, whether you accept Jesus’ resurrection is a matter of our faith. Then how can we believe Jesus’ resurrection? I would say, “Remember the Scriptures.” The Scriptures is the key to open our spiritual eyes and to believe Jesus’ resurrection. After both the women, two disciples, and the Eleven remembered and studied the Scriptures, they believed Jesus’ resurrection. Without the Scriptures, believing Jesus’ resurrection is quite challenging. When Peter did not remember Jesus’ words, he was not assured of Jesus’ resurrection even though he saw the empty tomb. When the two disciples did not remember the Scriptures, they misunderstood who Jesus is. They thought that Jesus is a prophet who was supposed to redeem Israel. In contrast, when the two disciples studied the Scriptures with Jesus, they realized who Jesus is. They said, “It is true! The Lord has risen. [34]” They accepted that Jesus is their Lord. May God open our spiritual eyes with the Scriptures so that we all may believe Jesus’ resurrection!

Second, the resurrection of Jesus matters to us.

The Good News of Jesus’ resurrection impacts not only our future lives but also our present lives. The resurrection enables the Christ to be our Sanctifier [Heb 2:11], Advocate [1Jn 2:1] and King [Rev 19:16]. The Risen Christ continues to intercede for us and to reign over us by the work of the Spirit. Then, what does Jesus’ resurrection have to do with our present lives, specifically? What are the fruits of those who have faith in Jesus’ resurrection?

First, Jesus’ resurrection transforms us to be joyful no matter what situations we are in. Jesus’ resurrection gives us joy. When the women believed Jesus’ resurrection, there was no sorrow in their hearts. When spiritual eyes of the two disciples were opened, they were changed. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us? [32]” The Good News of Jesus’ resurrection burns our hearts with joy and excitement. When the Eleven met the Risen Christ and saw his ascension to the heaven, they were transformed, too. They worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy [52]. They overcame the fear of death and entered dangerous Jerusalem where religious leaders tried to eliminate all remnants of Jesus’ influence. Death is no longer our final destiny. Death is the beginning of our new life. Indeed, Hebrew 2:14-15 is true, which said, “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were hold in slavery by their fear of death.” There is no more fear of death because its sting has been taken away and its power has been conquered through the work of Christ.

Second, Jesus’ resurrection gives us a hope of our own resurrection, of Jesus’ second coming and of the Kingdom of Heaven. The Risen Christ became the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. When he comes again, we will all be changed. [1Co 15:20, 51] Luke’s Gospel emphasized the new body of the Risen Christ. The disciples had seen him, touched him, handled him and eaten with him who has an imperishable and immortal new body. Jesus’ resurrection body is different from the body of Lazarus who came back to life from the dead when Jesus called him from the tomb. When Lazarus came back to life, his hands and feet were wrapped with strips of linen. On the other hand, in Jesus’ tomb, the strips of linen were laid by themselves. Perhaps, when Jesus was raised from the dead, he might have simply moved through the wrappings and laid down the face cloth. The Risen Christ was no longer restricted by space and time. He instantly moved one place to the other. He appeared to the disciples passing through the locked door. [JAR3] In that sense, the new body of the Risen Christ promises glorious resurrection bodies of our own day. Therefore, Jesus’ resurrection enables us to be forward-looking people with a hope of resurrection, not to be backward-looking people with remorse and sorrow.

Numerous witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection were transformed to live with constant joy and a hope of resurrection in the midst of their persecutions. Apostle John is one of them. In his advanced age, probably over 80’s, John was banished by the Roman Emperor Domitian to the Island of Patmos, which is a small island, measuring 13 square miles, and has multiple mountains and volcano rock. There, he lived in a cave for 18 months. The island was a barren place, but for John, it became a treasured place because of the vision of the Risen Christ and a hope of eternal glory. In Revelation 1:9, John said, “I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.” No sorrows here. Rather, through this book, he encouraged other fellow Christians to stand firm against the opposition from the Roman Emperor; he called them to look toward the Risen Christ. An early Christian Polycarp is another witness of Jesus’ resurrection. With the resurrection faith, he chose to be burned by fire instead of worshiping the Roman Emperor with burning incense. He was not troubled by the fear of death since he believed Jesus’ resurrection as well as his own resurrection.

I am also a witness of Jesus’ resurrection. The Good News of Jesus’ resurrection gives me a hope of my future glory and heavenly rewards. During my PhD study for five years, I was a student missionary, co-working with other two student missionary families who later graduated and moved to other mission fields. My mission field was a lonely place. No one knew or understood my struggles for the Gospel. No one recognized whether or not I have morning devotion and spend my time in Sunday message preparation and delivery. Bible students did not look like they were growing spiritually, either. Some of them were dozing during the worship service, and one student interrupted my message with nonsense jokes. I sometimes wondered why they were constantly attending worship service: were they attending worship service for pizza during the lunch? I also felt many limitations as a Ph D student missionary. I did not know what to do when my wife and little ones were sick while final exams and worship service message preparation were coming up together. I wondered what I am doing in this place. In this storm of my mission life, Satan tried to deceive and frustrate me, saying “Examine yourself. You should have invested your time wisely. Your labor is useless. No one recognizes your effort. See how others are working hard for their research.” At that moment, I stood before God. Later, I came across a point [JAR4] to seek only God’s recognition and heavenly rewards. Without realizing it at that time, the Good News of Jesus’ resurrection transformed my life. My resurrection faith was growing and it enabled me to be joyful in the midst of struggles, putting a hope in my future glory at Jesus’ second coming. Truly, God also allowed the Bible students to spiritually grow little by little. They prayed with their own struggles; they volunteered to participate in the worship service; others requested extra Bible studies. When I had faith in Jesus’ resurrection, I was no longer under the power of sins, death and Satan since the Risen Christ defeated each of them. My labor in the Lord was not in vain. Satan’s deception did not work out. With the resurrection faith, I will continue to follow God’s leading on my journey toward the Kingdom of Heaven.

In conclusion, it is true! Jesus has risen! Praise God who fulfilled the Scriptures by raising Jesus from the dead! The power of Jesus’ resurrection transforms us to be joyful regardless of our current situations. The resurrection of Jesus plants a hope of heavenly rewards in our hearts. May you grant each of us resurrection faith and a victory over the power of sins and death!

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• Luke_24_1_44_04052012-Stephen Han.jarcom.doc