Easter Lesson April 16, 2017

Look at the facts. Jesus is alive! 

In the courtroom, only two things matter: the evidence and the testimony of witnesses. Hearsay doesn’t count. Opinions don’t count. Just the evidence and eyewitness testimony. 

On the surface, the resurrection of Jesus—a dead man coming to life after three days—sounds just as outlandish as some of the tabloid headlines we read at the supermarket. Yet untold millions of people have believed that story and grounded their lives and hope in it. 

Why? 

The answer is as simple as it is profound: evidence and eyewitness testimony. 

Jesus has risen from death, and He is alive. Massive evidence points to the reality of this event, including hundreds of people who saw Jesus after He came out of the tomb. We’re only going to scratch the surface of this evidence as we study Luke 24 together. Even so, it will be clear that—yes, as sensational as it sounds—Jesus is alive!

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE 

Pain, doubt, and disappointment. We’ve all struggled with these at one time or another. I’m sure we’ve all faced those moments when the world just seemed to go dark—when we had no idea what would happen next or what we should do to help the situation.

In Luke’s gospel, we read an account of a group of women who felt just such doubt and disappointment. They trudged on to do what needed to be done in spite of their feelings—but they were caught off guard and joyfully surprised by what happened next. Jesus was alive, and that changed everything. 

Jesus is still alive, and that changes everything for us, too. In those moments when despair and doubt arise, we can respond with hope and rise up with the risen Christ. 

The resurrection of Jesus is solidly grounded in fact. In the midst of your pain, doubt, and disappointment, His resurrection meets your life in surprising ways. Are you ready to discover how?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Luke 24:1-6a 

1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3 They went in but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothes. 5 So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground. “Why are you looking for the living among the dead? ” asked the men. 6a “He is not here, but he has risen! 

All across the world—any place where Christians gather—Easter is a time of great celebration. But that first Sunday morning after Jesus’ crucifixion was anything but a happy moment for His disciples. It was a day of death, doubt, and disappointment. 

Jesus died a brutal, shameful death as a public spectacle. In the Roman culture of the first century, crucifixion was so heinous that well-to-do Romans wouldn’t even mention it in public. The disciples had witnessed Jesus’ excruciating death, and all they could do was grieve. 

Jesus died mere hours before the Jewish Sabbath began. With sundown quickly approaching, all Jesus’ followers could do was to wrap His body and place it in a tomb. When sundown came, darkness filled the night sky—and another kind of darkness filled their minds. The One they had pinned all their hopes on was dead. 

With the first rays of sun on Sunday morning, a group of women including Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James (see Luke 24:10) went to Jesus’ tomb with spices to prepare His body for burial. This was a ritual typically carried out by women, which included washing the body and anointing it with oil. They also planned to wrap Jesus’ body in strips of linen cloth as a sign of respect. 

Despite their plans, the women were in for a big surprise: the tomb was empty. They found no body. Luke described the women as “perplexed,” meaning they were mentally at a loss and saw no way to a solution. But two men who suddenly appeared explained what the women could not: “He is not here, but he has risen!” 

How do we know Jesus is alive? His tomb is empty! People have tried to explain away the resurrection, but we can’t explain away an empty tomb. Had Jesus’ body been stolen, or if the women had simply gone to the wrong tomb, the idea of a resurrection would have been rejected by going to the right tomb or by producing Jesus’ dead body. That didn’t happen. 

Similarly, if Luke was trying to invent something that didn’t happen, he most likely would have identified some of Jesus’ apostles as the first witnesses to the empty tomb—some of the men. Why? At that time, a women’s testimony wasn’t valid in court, which made them less than ideal as witnesses. But Luke stuck to the facts: Jesus’ tomb was empty, and the women were the first witnesses to it.

Luke 24:6b-8 

6b Remember how he spoke to you when he was still in Galilee, 7 saying, ‘It is necessary that the Son of Man be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day’?” 8 And they remembered his words. 

The empty tomb should not have been a surprise to these women— or to any of Jesus’ followers. The angels reminded them that Jesus had repeatedly predicted both His death and His resurrection. 

Jesus knew the cross was coming. That’s another fact recorded multiple times in Scripture, which lends further credibility to the historical fact of the resurrection.

Look at what else this fact reveals: 

• Jesus’ death was no unfortunate accident. Jesus came to earth on a rescue mission of love that began in eternity. Adam and Eve were supposed to be God’s image bearers, casting forth the glory of God throughout the earth. When Adam and Eve rebelled against God, sin and death were unleashed. Yet God, who is relentless in His love, launched a rescue mission through a man named Abraham, and through Abraham the nation of Israel was brought into being (see Gen. 12:1-3; Gal. 3:7-9). From Israel came the Messiah—the Son of Man—who fulfilled God’s promise to rescue and bless the world by reversing the curse of sin (see Rom. 5:12-21). 

• Jesus died on the cross in our place. Jesus willingly went to the cross. He had no sins of His own to pay for, but He died for our sins. He did this so that we could be eternally forgiven and our sin could be eternally forgotten. As a result, we are eternally declared to be righteous in Christ (see 2 Cor. 5:21). 

• Jesus defeated death for us. When God raised Jesus from the dead, death lost its power over us (see Acts 2:24). Jesus rose from the dead, and so will we (see 2 Cor. 4:14). Through faith in Jesus, we are eternally united to Him (see Rom. 6:1-11). 

Jesus came to earth as the fulfillment of a plan that had literally spanned thousands of years. This was a plan that has covered the breadth of human history and continues to impact the world today. 

Only God could accomplish such a plan—and He did!

Luke 24:36-40 

36 As they were saying these things, he himself stood in their midst. He said to them, “Peace to you!” 37 But they were startled and terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost. 38 “Why are you troubled? ” he asked them. “And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 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.” 40 Having said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 

This was no hallucination. Yes, we can sometimes convince ourselves we see something because we really want to see it, but the disciples were not expecting to see Jesus. In fact, “they were startled and terrified,” just as the women had been earlier (see v. 5). They thought they were seeing a ghost!

Jesus knew what they were thinking, and He offered to relieve their doubts: “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.” What further proof was needed? The tomb was empty, just as Jesus had said it would be. And now, He stood before them in a physical body—alive and well. 

Doubt and faith are often co-mingled in our lives. Sometimes our faith is robust, yet at other times doubts threaten to derail our walk with God. Still, in every step of our journey, Jesus provides us with grace to trust Him even in the midst of doubt. 

And, just like He provided His first disciples with proof of His bodily resurrection, He provides us with proof as well. That proof may be a friend whose life was changed or the overwhelming historical evidence that Jesus rose from the dead. Either way, the proof of Christ’s resurrection brings us peace. 

History was forever transformed when Jesus rose from the dead early on a Sunday morning. Sin and death were defeated by the conquering King. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is now at work in those who trust him (see Rom. 8:9-11). 

Because Jesus has risen from the grave, His perfect life is now ours through faith in Him.

LIVE IT OUT

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a historical fact. Consider these options for responding to that fact in the week to come: 

• Believe. If you’ve never embraced the truth of Christ’s resurrection and what that means for your life, do so now. The inside front cover of this book will help you. Talk to your group leader about your decision to trust and follow Christ. 

• Study. Read further about the historical evidence that proves the resurrection of Christ. Consider a book such as Buried Hope or Risen Savior by Charles L. Quarles or The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel. 

• Share. Ask God each day to provide opportunities for you to share your faith with someone who has yet to believe in Christ. 

The disciples were afraid. They doubted the truth of the resurrection. And yet they were ultimately transformed by Christ and used in marvelous ways to advance His kingdom in this world. The same can be true of us.

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Teacher Notes:

Which is more important, Christmas or Easter?

• This is subjective, but it seems that historically, the church has emphasized Easter Sunday the most. This makes sense since the Resurrection is the centerpiece of Christian theology and redemptive history. Easter morning is the turning point of world history and the defining moment for Christianity. This is the day when God’s new world began. It’s the day when our own resurrection from the dead was secured. It’s the first time in history when someone went through death and came out the other side – victorious, in glory, mysteriously new and yet the same. 

Why doesn’t Easter get as much attention as Christmas?

• Why do we only celebrate Easter for a day and not a season? In general, the resurrection of Christ is considered of vital importance. While His birth is important because His life was, Christians consider Christ's ultimate mission to include His death and resurrection. Of course, most Christian cultures make a much bigger deal out of Christmas than Easter.

How do you accept the resurrection story to be true?

• A doctrinal tenant – what I’ve been taught.
• The conviction of a subjective religious experience – your personal encounter with Christ. 
• The resurrection of Jesus is solidly grounded in fact.

The resurrection of Jesus is a fact you can build your life on.

3 Facts of the resurrection. 

I. The Empty Tomb Luke 24:1-6a 

1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3 They went in but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothes. 5 So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground. “Why are you looking for the living among the dead? ” asked the men. 6a “He is not here, but he has risen! 

Why is the empty tomb evidence enough of Jesus’ resurrection?

• People have tried to explain away the resurrection, but we can’t explain away an empty tomb. Had Jesus’ body been stolen, or if the women had simply gone to the wrong tomb, the idea of a resurrection would have been rejected by going to the right tomb or by producing Jesus’ dead body. That didn’t happen. Similarly, if Luke was trying to invent something that didn’t happen, he most likely would have identified some of Jesus’ apostles as the first witnesses to the empty tomb—some of the men. Why? At that time, a women’s testimony wasn’t valid in court, which made them less than ideal as witnesses. But Luke stuck to the facts: Jesus’ tomb was empty, and the women were the first witnesses to it.

Suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothes. So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground. “Why are you looking for the living among the dead?"

Is there a question here for us today? How would this question apply to us today: another way of asking this question could be, “Why do you look for life where there is no life?” 

• We want a life that is truly alive — one with purpose, calling and joy. God, through this question, is calling us to abandon our search for this life among dead, lifeless things. Our obsession with money or our fear of the lack of it; our lust for pleasure and leisure; and our drive for power and prestige. What we need is an alternative, another place to go to find what our lives need, what we are designed for.
• The answer the angels give is our answer as well. The missing ingredient is the Risen One, the Lord Jesus Christ. He has come to give us abundant life (John 10:10). This question pushes us, like the women, to leave the empty tomb (the past) and get about searching for Him (in the present) and spreading the good news of His Resurrection.
• Many people are still looking for Jesus among the dead. Scholars who study the words of Jesus and the gospel manuscripts but do not believe in Christ’s resurrection. Archaeologists who two thousand years later are still trying to find Jesus’ body and bones in the tomb but keep coming up empty. People who finger the body of Christ on their crucifixes but do not know the reality of the living Christ. These people all have one thing in common. They are all looking for Jesus among the dead. And if you are looking for Jesus among the dead, you will not find him. He is not there.

Is Jesus living in your present? Where do you look for Him, today?

II. Jesus’ Words Luke 24:6b-8 

6b Remember how he spoke to you when he was still in Galilee, 7 saying, ‘It is necessary that the Son of Man be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day’?” 8 And they remembered his words. 

Why should Jesus’ Words have been enough evidence of His resurrection?

• The empty tomb should not have been a surprise to these women— or to any of Jesus’ followers. The angels reminded them that Jesus had repeatedly predicted both His death and His resurrection. Jesus knew the cross was coming. That’s another fact recorded multiple times in Scripture, which lends further credibility to the historical fact of the resurrection.

Why should Jesus’ Words be enough for us to believe and to trust in Him?

• The Lord’s Word is given to us to teach and prepare us for what lies ahead. Even in what appears to be the worst of circumstances, God is still in control, and He will accomplish His redemptive plan and fulfill His Holy purpose.
• But now, in one glorious moment, it begins to make sense, verse 8: Then they remembered His words. Can you imagine their thrill when suddenly they realize that it all fits together after all, that it was all meant to be, that everything will be all right?

III. The Disciples’ Testimony Luke 24:36-40 

36 As they were saying these things, he himself stood in their midst. He said to them, “Peace to you!” 37 But they were startled and terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost. 38 “Why are you troubled?” he asked them. “And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 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.” 40 Having said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 

Why is the testimony of the disciple’s evidence enough of Jesus’ resurrection? What is your testimony of His resurrection and that He is alive?

Doesn’t Jesus come to us still today? Why do we have doubt in our hearts?

• Jesus comes to reveal Himself to us. He challenges us to test that He is who He says He is and capable of doing what He says He will do. Our experiences with the living Lord prepare us to share the truth of Christ with others.

How has Jesus proven Himself to you in the past?

Think about the times in your life that Jesus showed up – when has Jesus come to you?

Do you live each day expecting Jesus to show up?

Conclusion: The significance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ? 

• The Resurrection is what Christianity is all about. If you take the Resurrection out of our faith all you have is a list of dos and don’ts. A guy named Arthur Ramsey put it bluntly: “No resurrection, no Christianity.” The resurrection is the core of all the promises of God.

10 Reasons the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is so Important

1. Means that we are justified before God. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. (Romans 4:25) The resurrection of Jesus confirms that God accepted Christ’s sacrifice for sin on the cross and gives us access to a right relationship with him.
2. Shows that Jesus defeated death. Romans 6:9 Death is the enemy of mankind and the just punishment for each person’s individual sins (Romans 6:23). The mortality rate is and will always be 100%. No amount of effort, medical technology, power or riches can escape the clutches of death. “O death where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! (1 Corinthians 15:55-57)
3. Means that believers are united with Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:14 When we believe in Christ, we are united to Him in faith. Union with Christ means that when God looks at us, He does not see our unrighteousness, but the righteousness of Christ. It means that we have died with Him and will also live with Him (Romans 6:8).
4. Confirms the truth of Scripture. Isaiah 53 & Psalm 16 - Isaiah 53 and Psalm 16 are among the many examples of Scriptures that prophesied about the resurrected life of Jesus.
5. Proves the gospel to be true. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 The fact that Jesus is alive today means that He is able to save today. This was a major argument of Paul’s in 1 Corinthians 15, where he defends the truth of the resurrection by explaining the whole Christian gospel depends on it: And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain…and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. (1 Corinthians 15:14; 17-19) Paul explains that the resurrection is not only a fundamental part of the gospel, but it is the glue that holds every part of the gospel together. 
6. Proves that Jesus is the Son of God. Romans 1:4 …[Christ] was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead… (Romans 1:4)
7. Means that the Holy Spirit will be poured out into the hearts of those who believe. After Christ had risen and ascended, he was able to send the promised Holy Spirit to continue his work on earth. This means that Christ’s earthly ministry continues today through His people, in whom He dwells by the Holy Spirit. This also means that Christ will help his people by the Spirit, strengthening them, convicting them, guiding them into the life that God desires.
8. Gives Christians a living hope. Being forgiven of our sins and justified before God gives Christians tremendous hope. Christians are changed from being an enemy of God bound for hell, to becoming a forgiven son of God with an eternal inheritance in heaven that can never be taken away. What can be better news than that?
9. Means that we will be raised like Him. 1 Corinthians 15:20-22 Christ is described as the firstfruits of the resurrection from the dead, meaning that His resurrection is a precursor to the resurrection that all believers (1 Corinthians 15:20). 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 explains, “For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.”
10. Means that Christ will judge the world in righteousness. Acts 17:30-31 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent, because He has fixed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom He has appointed; and of this He has given assurance to all by raising Him from the dead. (Acts 17:30-31)

All of the world will one day be judged for the things they have done and be held accountable before God. Unbelievers will be held accountable for breaking God’s law, facing the condemnation of God and going to hell. Believers will be held accountable for the things they have done, and will be rewarded by God in heaven based on their actions as believers. The sign God gave to confirm this fact was the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

The way to obtain forgiveness and eternal life is by believing in Jesus and turning from your sin. Believing in Jesus is what makes all of the benefits of the resurrection yours. Faith is what unites us to Christ and allows us to be saved from our sin.

I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this? (John 11:25-26)

Hope to see you in church on Easter!! 

In His Love, 

David & Susan