Reality of the Resurrection

Intro.: [AGS]: “Richard Conniff writes in National Geographic that on January 12, 1997, two Swiss men, Bertrand Piccard and Wim Verstraeten, set out to be the first to circle the earth in a balloon. Their aircraft was called the Breitling Orbiter, and it was a high-tech masterpiece, complete with solar power panels and an airtight capsule for pressurized flight at high altitudes that would enable them to fly the jet stream at two hundred miles an hour. Price tag: $1.5 million. Shortly after liftoff, however, calamity struck. With the cabin sealed tight and pressurized, the pilots suddenly noticed strong kerosene fumes. Soon, they e-mailed their control center: ‘Kerosene’s coming through each pipe on both inside tanks and we cannot tighten them anymore. It is a nightmare… Answer quick.’ They were advised to lower their altitude, open the capsule, and hold on until they could reach the coast of Algeria. The fumes proved overwhelming, however, and they were forced to ditch in the Mediterranean. The cause of the kerosene leak? A clamp, like those used on an automobile radiator hose, had failed. Price tag: $1.16. It doesn’t take much to undermine a great enterprise. God intends that the Christian life be a triumphant journey, but often we allow small things like doubt or fear to scuttle God’s grand plan for us.” (Craig Brian Larson and Leadership Journal. “Doubt” in 750 Engaging Illustrations for Preachers, Teachers, and Writers (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1993), 131-132) [TS]: Those who witnessed Jesus’ bodily resurrection had doubts, but Jesus wanted to assure them amidst their doubts so that they would embrace Him as the resurrected Savior and obediently follow His instruction. [RS]: Perhaps you have come today for different reasons: to observe tradition; to maintain reputation; to be with family; to see friends; etc. Yet, in your heart- there is a doubt present. The doubt is not a doubt that perhaps altogether hinders belief in Jesus; rather, it is a doubt that hinders a full embrace of Jesus that therefore hinders your obedience to Him. Today, I hope you will find these affirmations assuring and encouraging, that you might fully embrace Him as the resurrected Savior and obediently follow after His instruction.

TS: Let us examine together a few affirmations now:

Jesus affirmed their doubt. (vv. 36-38)

Key words: peace; troubled; doubts

Also notice that doubt has been present in all three Gospel that record a post-resurrection appearance.

Jesus affirmed His physical presence. (v. 39-43)

Key words: hands, feet, it is i myself; touch me and see;

affirmed his physical features and needs (requesting food and eating)

Jesus affirmed the Scriptures (vv.44-48)

three divisions of the Scriptures (Torah, Nevi’im, Kethubim)

the message and prophesies from the Scripture (Notice v. 46- this is what is written- cf. Mt. 3:1-2, 4:17)

“He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.” (v. 45)- the importance here is not some special act of God to help us understand, necessarily, but it is the reality that without Christ and a proper understanding of who He is, one cannot fully understand the Scriptures in their entirety. Adam Clarke wrote,” The book of God may be received in general as a Divine revelation, but the proper meaning, reference, and application of the Scriptures can only be discerned by the light of Christ. Even the very plain word of God is a dead letter to those who are not enlightened by the grace of Christ;” (Clarke, HBCCNVIVI, 2014, notes under v. 45)

Furthermore, Repentance is a key in this text. Jeff Lewis wrote, “It speaks volumes about the importance of the church’s mission to the nations that these three themes- his cross, his resurrection, and worldwide gospel proclamation- are linked together so intimately and given equal scriptural endorsement. The evangelical church aggressively proclaims the cross and resurrection of Christ, but in comparison only gives lip service to the proclamation of repentance for forgiveness of sins among the nations.” (Lewis 107-108)

Thus, if repentance is so important, what is it? Let us be reminded that repentance is a complete reorientation of the sinner. Clarke wrote, “Repentance, then, implies that a measure of Divine wisdom is communicated to the sinner, and that he thereby becomes wise to salvation. That his mind, purposes, opinions, and inclinations, are changed; and that, in consequence, there is a total change in his conduct. It need scarcely be remarked, that, in this state, a man feels deep anguish of soul, because he has sinned against God, unfitted himself for heaven, and exposed his soul to hell. Hence, a true penitent has that sorrow, whereby he forsakes sin, not only because it has been ruinous to his own soul, but because it has been offensive to God.” (Clarke, HBCCNVIVI, notes under Matt. 3:2)

Jesus affirmed the calling of the disciples. (v. 49)

“stay until the Holy Spirit has come upon you”

This is important, and Luke picks up in Acts 1 with this account of the disciples and the early church receiving the Holy Spirit and being sent out as witnesses, sharing the Gospel with all people as commanded by Jesus.

CONCLUSION:

Do you come today with doubts? Not the kind of doubt that determines a lack of any belief in Jesus at all, but the kind of doubt that makes you reluctant to fully embrace Jesus as Lord and thus obediently and passionately follow after Him. I remind you that today, everything we need regarding God’s character, what He has done, and the assurance of both is found in Scripture. It has been recorded, and the Words of Scripture are powerful enough to offer to us assurance, affirmation, and answers when we seek Him.

[1]Do you come needing affirmation? [2] What stands between you and fully embracing God as our Father, Jesus as our resurrected Lord and the Son of God, and the Holy Spirit as the promised empowerment and help needed to fulfill the commission of King Jesus?

Maybe our prayer needs to be that of the father in Mark 9:23-24 where the father brought his “if” to Jesus, and “Jesus said to Him, “If you can? Everything is possible for the one who believes.” Scripture records that “Immediately the father of the boy cried out, “I do believe; help my unbelief!”

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