Bible Studies for Life Sunday School Commentary for the week of April 12, 2009

Jesus’ Resurrection: Fact or Fiction    Luke 24:1-53

“Now if Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how can some of you say, there is no resurrection of the dead?” 1 Corinthians 15:12 (HCSB) In an age when the supernatural is discounted in the mainstream media by all but a few weirdoes, the above question from scripture needs to be asked. The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the central truth of the Christian faith.

In fact, people have questioned and discounted the concept of the resurrection from the dead since the days when Jesus walked the earth. The resurrection from the dead was the central focus of the Apostles’ preaching, and raised no small controversy; it also brought them much opposition. Examine the following scriptures:

• “The same day some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came up to Him and questioned Him:” Matthew 22:23 (HCSB) – For the full account read verses 23-33; Mark 12:18-27; Luke 20:27-40.  

• The central statement by Jesus Himself concerning the resurrection is here: “Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live. Everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die—ever. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26 (HCSB)

• When the disciples were seeking to choose a replacement for Judas, they used the following criteria: “Therefore, from among the men who have accompanied us during the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us—beginning from the baptism of John until the day He was taken up from us—from among these, it is necessary that one become a witness with us of His resurrection.” Acts 1:21-22 (HCSB)

• The resurrection of Jesus from the dead was the central focus of the Apostles’ preaching: “And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was on all of them.” Acts 4:33 (HCSB)

• Preaching the resurrection of Jesus from the dead brought great opposition. See Acts 4:2; Acts 17:32

Jesus’ resurrection was announced by angels, confirmed by His physical presence with disciples, and prophesied in Old Testament Scriptures. “After He had suffered, He also presented Himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during 40 days and speaking about the kingdom of God.” Acts 1:3 (HCSB) Have you examined the proof? Are you convinced?

Jesus spoke plainly to His followers about His death, burial, and resurrection (Matthew 16:21; Matthew 17:22-23; Matthew 20:17-18). We know we do not have every word Jesus spoke to His followers, only their recollections as they wrote under the inspiration of God’s Holy Spirit. How much more He must have spoken on this all-important topic! And yet, after His crucifixion and burial, His followers could only think of the past, and wonder about the future. They forgot His words! Until….

“He is not here, but He has been resurrected! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day’? And they remembered His words.” Luke 24:6-8 (HCSB)

But Jesus knew His followers would need further confirmation. They would need more than en empty tomb; they would need to see His body!

“Why are you troubled? He asked them. And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself! Touch Me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have. Having said this, He showed them His hands and feet.” Luke 24:38-40 (HCSB)

“For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. Then He appeared to over 500 brothers at one time, most of whom remain to the present, but some have fallen  asleep. Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one abnormally born, He also appeared to me.” 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 (HCSB)

When Jesus appeared to His disciples, He reminded them of the things He previously had pointed out from the Scriptures, namely that each major section of the Old Testament speaks of His death and resurrection. The Law of Moses refers to the first five books of the Old Testament; the Prophets to the Books of Joshua–2 Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea–Malachi; and the Psalms to the rest of the Old Testament. In making such widespread prediction of Jesus, the Old Testament is a Christian book from beginning to end. Jesus is the key to the Holy Scriptures, all of which bear witness to Him.

Moreover, Jesus’ pointing out to the disciples Old Testament texts about Himself shows that God’s purpose has always been to declare the good news of His salvation to all nations. Old Testament passages about the Messiah that Jesus taught to the disciples may have included the following: His role as Prophet (Deuteronomy 18:15-19); His sufferings as the saving Servant (Psalm 22; Isaiah 53:1-9); and His triumphant resurrection (Psalm 16:9-11; Isaiah 53:10-11). Jesus also may have pointed out that early in human history God promised the seed of woman (ultimate fulfillment in Jesus) would crush the head of the Devil as symbolized by the serpent’s temptation of Adam and Eve to sin (Genesis 3:15). Jesus taught that Moses’ making a bronze serpent to save the rebellious Israelites (Numbers 21:6-9) looked forward to Jesus being lifted up on the cross (John 3:14-15). Psalm 23, the shepherd psalm, looks forward to Jesus as the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for the sheep (John 10:11). Jesus’ favorite self-designation as the Messiah was “Son of Man,” possibly because of Daniel’s use of the term to refer to Messiah’s eternal kingdom (Daniel 7:13-14). Still other Old Testament passages Jesus may have referred to are Jeremiah 23:5-6; Daniel 9:26; and Zechariah 12:10; 13:7.

Examine the evidence of Jesus’ resurrection. Allow God’s Spirit to open your understanding of these truths as He did for His disciples (see Luke 24:45). Believe in the resurrected and living Lord Jesus Christ! Turn away from sin, accept His forgiveness, and put Him in charge of your life today!

For more information about trusting Christ as Savior and Lord go here.