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Sunday, January 13, 2013 am 

THE LIFE OF JESUS (42)
The Resurrection (2)
Did it Occur?

                 In our last lesson we discussed the Biblical account of the resurrection as recorded in the four gospels.  We noted that it was on the first day of the week as well as His recorded appearances on that day.  We briefly noted how it was His physical body that was resurrected and how that gives us hope.  Today we want to present some proofs that He did arise.

                We have noted that the resurrection is a foundational doctrine of “Christianity.”  It is the doctrine that sets us apart from other world religions.  To deny the resurrection is to deny the purpose of Jesus coming and salvation through Him.  As one author said it, “The resurrection of Jesus Christ and Christianity stand or fall together.”[1]  There it is imperative that we are firmly convicted of the fact of His resurrection.  But it is also my hope that we can DEFEND that in discussion with others (cf. 1 Pet. 3:15).

                In our lesson today we will examine some of the evidence which proves the reality of His resurrection.

  I.                    The Eyewitnesses

a.        Accepting the resurrection was hard to believe, even among the disciples of Jesus. 
While Jesus had continually told them He would be put to death and arise (more than a dozen times in the gospels, including on the night He would be betrayed), even after He arose, there were skeptics.  This was a natural reaction.  Note how even His disciples rationalized things from a natural standpoint.

                                                   i.      Mary Magdalene, the first to whom Jesus appeared, when she saw Him thought that He was the gardener (John 20:14-16).

                                                  ii.      Thomas, even after hearing from the rest of the apostles still didn’t believe it. (John 20:24-25)

                                                iii.      Even the men on the road to Emmaus. (Luke 24:20-24)  As they spoke with Him, not realizing who He was, they spoke of a VISION (rather than really seeing Him) the women had seen of angels.  Then they said, that the grave was empty but they didn’t see Him. 

                                                iv.      The significance of noting these examples is that when they DID finally see Him (and believed), they boldly proclaimed Him.  These were examples that were skeptics that needed proof.  They got their proof.

b.       1 Cor. 15:1-9 – Paul will use this as the foundation of his appeal for the resurrected Jesus.  The number of appearances is too great to deny that it really happened.

c.        The eyewitness of Paul.  Recall that he was an enemy of Jesus (Acts 26:9-11).  Yet he turned from enemy to a strong proclaimer of the resurrection of Jesus.

d.       His brothers became believers in Him.  Recall how during His teaching they loved him but they didn’t totally believe in Him.  John 7:5 says that they did not believe in Him.  Obviously, there were doubts about Jesus while He was teaching and preaching.  But Acts 1:14 notes that after Jesus ascended to heaven, that Mary His mother and his brothers were in Jerusalem with the disciples as believers.  Galatians 1:19 speaks of James, the Lord’s brother as a believer.

e.       These witnesses and many others testified of having interacted with Jesus after He arose.  They ate with Him (Acts 10:41), saw, heard, and touched Him

  II.                  The conduct of Christians following the resurrection

a.        The conduct of His disciples is proof of the resurrection.  When you examine the change in conduct and attitudes, it proves that Jesus was resurrected.  Consider the following:

                                                   i.      There are transformed lives – prior to His resurrection we find them with fears and doubt.  Jesus was abandoned in the garden, denied by Peter, and His disciples mourned His death.  Even after His resurrection there was sadness and fear (cf. John 20:19).  But AFTER the resurrection, we find boldness in preaching and rejoicing.  Following Jesus ascending to heaven, Luke 24:52-53 says, “And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.“
Consider Peter, who before the council boldly proclaims, “We ought to obey God rather than men.” (Ac. 5:29-32)  This was followed by Peter boldly accusing them of murder.
Even after they were beaten on that occasion, they departed “rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame in His name…” (Ac. 5:41-42)  They then continued to boldly proclaim Jesus in the temple and from house to house.

                                                  ii.      Their moral standard – The scriptures present a high standard or morals and example.  They taught honesty, virtue, moral purity, humility, contentment, compassion for others, etc.   They challenged their brethren to love all mankind, including enemies.
Had their preaching been based upon deceit or doubt in the risen Savior, you would have self-serving morals and compromise.  Look at the corrupt examples of history (both past and present) AND those they encountered back then (e.g. the corrupt Jewish leaders who were often motivated by greed and pride, the Ephesians whose idolatrous livelihood was threatened reacted, etc.)

                                                iii.      Their sacrifices – consider what they gave up – families, fortune, livelihood, friends, etc.
IT was often replaced with persecutions and sufferings. 
Many suffered death – we have recorded the killing of James (Acts 12:1-2).  History records the death and suffering of martyrs for His cause.   Tradition holds that all the apostles suffered violent deaths with the exception of John, and he was severely persecuted, including exile (cf. Rev. 1:9).  IF Jesus had not arisen, they would have not have been willing to endure such tortures and sufferings. 

b.       The existence of the church is proof of His resurrection.    While time will not permit a detailed discussion of this, I simply ask, IF Christ had not arisen, what is premise and purpose of the church (which is clearly documented to have begun at the time recorded in scripture)?

In our next lesson we will examine various theories used to refute the resurrection.