2: Risen! (Resurrection Sunday)

Last week we launched a 2-week series called RESCUE, where we saw that God’s rescue plan looked to have failed - even to His disciples, until they realized that this was the plan all along, that...

Jesus is God’s plan to rescue fallen man.

The Jewish people expected a Conquering King to come and crush their enemies, but instead, they got a Suffering Servant who came to offer forgiveness to His enemies…by DYING for them! Jesus chose the CROSS over the CROWN.

This rescue plan surprised EVERYBODY!

I heard about a passenger enjoying a civilian joyride with a friend who was an air force pilot accidentally cut the trip short when he ejected himself from the plane after grabbing the eject lever while trying to brace himself.

He was instantly blasted 320-feet into the sky by the rocket-powered chair, before floating to the ground with an automatic parachute. Air Force officers quickly deployed a helicopter to retrieve the passenger after his fall.

Surprise, surprise, surprise! Have you ever been surprised in a way that changed the direction of your life?

That’s what the 1st century followers of Jesus experienced when their crucified Messiah decided to pay them a visit days later His brutal death.

Let’s take a look at how the closest followers of Jesus, dejected after His death, had their world rocked by the one who had RISEN.

Luke 23:54–56 (NIV)

It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.

The Sabbath is Friday 6pm till Sat. 6pm. So the women had to prepare these spices and perfumes BEFORE sundown of that day.

I can only imagine what that was like. These women likely added tears to the mixture as they worked. I wonder if they remained silent or talked about the most excruciating day of their lives - the day their Messiah was brutalized, crucified, and buried.

And just Why did they prepare spices and perfumes?

They weren’t expecting Jesus to walk out of the tomb… They weren’t expecting to find him alive, yet just smelling a little ripe. They were NOT expecting Jesus to rise from the dead! They were expecting to put these spices & perfumes on Jesus’ DEAD body; to touch Him one last time before closing the tomb and allowing His corpse to decompose for 1 year, before moving his bones into a bone box called on ossuary.

And so, early the next morning they began the journey to the tomb.

Luke 24:1–4 (NIV)

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them.

Luke 24:5–8 (NIV)

In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 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.’ ” Then they remembered his words.

What these ladies heard from he angels became the rally cry of the first followers of Jesus - He has risen!

Of course, today - 2000 years later - this is still the great hope to which we cling to - the foundation of our faith - He is risen!

BIG TRUTH: He is Risen is the reason…

He is risen is the reason the 1st century disciples were willing to sacrifice their lives to share the message of Jesus.

He is risen is the reason we trust WHO Jesus is & WHAT Jesus says.

He is risen is the reason we must take His message to others.

Luke 24:9–10 (NIV)

When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles.

Notice that there were several women who had gone to the tomb - women who were disciples of Jesus. Also notice that they spoke to the Eleven…and the others. There were more who had followed Jesus including men and women.

But those who weren’t at the tomb had trouble swallowing the story.

Luke 24:11 (NIV)

But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense.

ANGELS speaking to people? As is true today, this wasn’t an everyday occurrence. And the BODY of the Lord Jesus - missing? What about the Roman soldiers guarding the tomb? Surely these precious ladies were overcome with grief and not thinking straight…BUT…WHAT IF?

Luke 24:12 (NIV)

Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.

Peter wasn’t sure WHAT was going on. At least he & John run to the tomb (Jn 20:3-4) and after he sees the burial clothes, he walks away wondering to himself what had happened. Could it BE that what the women REALLY saw angels? Could it be that Jesus had really RISEN?

John’s gospel tells us how Mary Magdalene stayed at the tomb weeping…and Jesus appears to her first (John 20:14–18)! The first person to SEE Jesus risen from the dead was a woman!

Side note: If the male disciples of Jesus were making up the story of Jesus rising from the dead, WHY would they write the 1st people to see Jesus alive…were women?

Dr. Luke chooses to leave us hanging, as he builds the suspense for his readers.

Luke shifts his focus from the tomb just outside of Jerusalem to a village about 7 miles away.

Luke 24:13–14 (NIV)

Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened.

Who were these folks?

We are about to hear on of one name in a moment, but they were two of them - part of the Eleven and…all the others back in v.9. So, they had been present when the ladies showed up from the empty tomb and when Peter & John took off to see it. Maybe they left right after that for Emmaus.

Luke 24:15–16 (NIV)

As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.

I don’t have an answer for how that could be except to say that Jesus did not want them to recognize Him…just yet. So here is CAMO JESUS...

Luke 24:17–19a (NIV)

He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” “What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.

I can’t help but think that Jesus had a smirk on His face as He acts as if, “Nope. Never heard of that guy before.”

Luke 24:19b-21 (NIV)

“He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place.

How ironic is THAT? These disciples of Jesus still couldn’t understand that the Messiah DID come to redeem Israel by offering Himself as their substitutionary sacrifice!

They knew Jesus SAID He would rise on the third day, but they never really let that sink in. But now they were wrestling with what was really going on, as they continue...

Luke 24:22–24 (NIV)

In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”

It's obvious that these disciples were there when the women returned from the tomb had seen and heard the angels say - 'He has risen'...first He had to be crucified and on the third day be raised again (Luke 24:7).

Further, Jesus had mentioned rising after 3 days many times before His crucifixion - mentioned twice in Luke’s writing: Lk 9:22 and Lk 18:33.

Up to this point, Jesus has been listening - listening to their struggle of faith ‘we thought He was the One we were waiting on’.

I’m guessing Jesus had had to hold back tears & smiles as He heard them speak of their love for Him & their disappointment over His death. The suspense builds as we think, “Jesus…why won’t you tell them….?”

When I get a really cool gift for my family, I struggle not to give it early. Why wait until the actual birthday or Christmas day? I have it…they want it…and I want them to have it now!

But Jesus shows patience before the BIG REVEAL. But finally…this ‘random stranger’ begins explaining the Scriptures in the most powerful way. And this is the best SUNDAY SCHOOL lesson ever!

Luke 24:25–27 (NIV)

He said to them, “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?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

Maybe Jesus started with the promise to Abraham that through his family all the families of the earth would be blessed (Gen. 12:3).

Maybe Jesus pointed out how God provided a substitutionary sacrifice so that Abraham would not have to sacrifice his only son - Isaac (Gen.22).

He probably reminded them of the sacrifice of the Passover lambs, the sacrificial rituals of the Levitical priests, & Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement)

Then came the prophecy of the one who cried out, “My God, my God why have you forsaken me”; the pierced one who cried out from the cross ‘I’m thirsty’ while the soldiers gambled for his clothes - all prophecies found in Ps. 22.

I have no doubt that Jesus mentioned the Suffering Servant who bore the sins of Israel in Isaiah 53, including this incredible phrase that we saw last week:

Isaiah 53:10–11 (NIV)

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.

We should be people of the Scriptures - both the Old and New Testament - they both point us to Jesus!

When Cloepas & the other disciple heard camo-Jesus, they must have wondered, “Who IS this guy!!! What knowledge of the Scriptures he has!”

Luke 24:28–29 (NIV)

As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.

Luke 24:30–31a (NIV)

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him,

Maybe they had been present the day Jesus broke the bread and fed the 5000.

They had likely been around Jesus during many meals as He gave the pre-meal blessing. Can you imagine hearing THAT! It was more than a ‘God is great…God is good - let’s rush through this thang.’

The prayer life of Jesus was so genuine, so sincere, that His disciples once asked Him, “Lord, teach us to pray [like You do]’ - and we will look at that NEXT SUNDAY.

And maybe these were some of the others who were gathered with Jesus on that Thursday night Passover meal, when He broke the bread and said, “This is my body, broken for you!”

Suddenly they recognized him! The guy they had spent the Sunday afternoon…it was Jesus - raised from the dead!

Luke 24:31b–33a (NIV)

...and he disappeared from their sight. 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?” They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem.

Kent Hughes writes:

The more Jesus opened the Word, the faster their pulses raced. The stranger had established that suffering and death were not obstacles to Jesus’ being Messiah, and in fact made Jesus’ claim to be Messiah more credible and compelling. The real Messiah had to suffer! Their confusion and depression melted like frost before the sun.

They couldn’t wait until the next day to head to Jerusalem and tell the others. Even though night travel was dangerous in those days,

BIG TRUTH: He is Risen is the reason…

...they made the 7 mile night hike to Jerusalem.

I wonder what that travel conversation was like!

Luke 24:33b–35 (NIV)

There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

Now Jesus had appeared to Mary, Simon Peter, & these 2 guys…it was TRUE! What joy & amazement there must have been in the air!

Luke 24:36–38 (NIV)

While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?

Their King had been brutally killed and they WANTED Him to be alive…but could they trust their senses? Could their eyes & ears be deceiving them?

The followers of Jesus wanted Jesus to be ALIVE, but they weren’t about to be duped by delusion - or worse - a GHOST. So they were startled & frightened - excited & scared all at the same time. The resurrection of Jesus wasn’t simply a vision.

The disciples had seen that the BODY of Jesus was GONE. But they needed some assurance that this was a physical resurrection from the dead. That’s exactly what Jesus offered.

Luke 24:39–41a (NIV)

Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement,

Could this be REAL?

Mary saw Jesus at the tomb.

Simon Peter said he saw Jesus.

The 2 disciples going to Emmaus had seen Him

…now the others were looking at Him…with joy and amazement…yet still with some unbelief.

Luke 24:42b–43 (NIV)

he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.

Why does this matter? Jesus is demonstrating that He is more than a vision or a ghost.

Here’s a good rule of thumb. Ghosts/Spirits can’t eat material food. Jesus did - He has PHYSICALLY RISEN from the dead! Case closed.

The same body that had been in the tomb…was now STANDING, SPEAKING, & EATING…in their presence! This is a foreshadowing of what will happen when the ‘dead in Christ raise’ - a PHYSICAL RESURRECTION - the dead are raised & transformed - with no more sin nature & never to die again!

After these convincing proofs - to see Him, touch Him, and watch Him eat - Jesus reminds them of what He taught them BEFORE His death.

Luke 24:44–45 (NIV)

He said to them, “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.” Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.

Luke 24:46–48 (NIV)

He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.

After Jesus showed them the Messiah had to suffer, die, & rise from the dead He gives the REASON why it had to happen in the first place.

THIS is why Jesus died & rose again - so that people would REPENT, be forgiven of their sins, and go tell others!

Think about that process for a moment.

If people refuse to recognize their sin, they won’t REPENT of their sin.

If people won’t REPENT of their SIN, they won’t experience the forgiveness of sins.

If they don’t experience forgiveness of sins, they will be held accountable for their sins.

If no one goes to tells others that forgiveness is offered, how will they know?

The 1st century followers of Jesus WERE EYEWITNESSES of Jesus’ teaching, miracles, life, death, & resurrection. And…

BIG TRUTH: He is Risen is the reason…

...why these followers of Jesus would boldly stand and declare Jesus was the only hope for humanity?

He is risen is the reason why they were willing to face persecution & even death. As Jesus had died and raised to life, He would raise them too!

He is Risen is the reason why Paul, a former enemy of Jesus and His followers, changed jerseys and became a follower of Jesus - What accounts for THAT?

He is Risen is the reason why WE can stare difficult days in the face - even in sickness and death - and KNOW that this side of eternity isn’t the end! …that He will one day raise US from the dead as well.

He is risen is the reason why Fellowship invests thousands of dollars & hundreds of hours in children, teenagers, adults, right here, across America and the oceans - to tell people about our risen King, to call them to repent of sin and turn to Him - BEFORE it’s too late!

And He is risen is the reason why you should turn from your sin and turn to Him.

Feet to Faith

This week, I want you to do one simple thing - fill in this blank & DO IT!

He is Risen is the reason…I will______________

serve & share Jesus with others

read & apply the Scripture daily

forgive quickly & walk obediently

invest my time, talents, and treasure in things that have eternal impact

turn from my sin & trust Jesus with my future.

Need to talk? Our Staff and Deacons/wives would LOVE to talk to you!

PRAY

Because He Lives

Discussion Questions

Take some time to discuss these questions with your family, friends, or group.

Share any ‘aha’ moments in today’s study - what you learned or how you were challenged.

Read Luke 24:1-8. What these ladies heard - “He has risen!” - from he angels became the rally cry of the early church. Why do the claims of Jesus stand or fall on whether he has risen or not?

Complete this sentence based on your knowledge of the early church & their actions: ‘He is Risen is the reason they ___________________.’

Read Luke 24:25-33. How important was the testimony of the Scriptures for Jesus & His followers? What are YOU doing to grow in your knowledge & application of the Scriptures? What practical plan would you recommend to the person who rarely read the Scriptures?

FEET2FAITH: Now fill this blank in for your OWN life. ‘He is Risen is the reason I will ______________.’

* Share your prayer needs and PRAY to the FATHER together!