The Undeniable Resurrection

Evidence #1: The Disciples Were Together

Read John 21:1-3

7 of the 11 were together, not separated

No apparent fear of the Jews (c.f. 20:19, 26)

Galilee, not Jerusalem (home; familiar people)

Where Jesus told them to go in Matthew 28

Distance: ~90 miles

What’s the deal with the fishing?

Disobedience?

Work?

Jesus had provided for them

Now they have to bring provisions

Read Luke 22:35-37

They didn’t wait to get sent out. (productive)

Picked up where they left off!

Luke 5:10–11 Jesus said to Simon, “Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men.” And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him.

Sometimes, when you don’t know what to do for the sake of the gospel, just get to work doing what you know you can do.

Evidence #2: Jesus showed up

Read John 21:4-8

Most obvious proof of the Resurrection!

Eyewitness account

Read John 21:24

A correlating proof is that the apostles endured persecution for their belief in the resurrection.

James, Peter, and Paul were all executed for their faith

Church tradition maintains that as many as eleven of the twelve apostles were eventually martyred.

It is difficult to maintain that they knew the resurrection to be a hoax.

What would their motivation have been if they knew for certain that they had invented the resurrection stories?

Objection: terrorists on 9/11 died believing their “truth”

Unlike the terrorists, the apostles were in a position to know with complete certainty whether their claims were true.

They were claiming to have seen, touched, and conversed with a man who had been executed just days earlier.

Notice Peter’s contrasting response:

Read John 21:7

Luke 5:8 when Simon Peter saw [the miracle of fish], he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man!”

Peter went from a submissive reverence of someone he did not know to a zealous joy for someone he knows and loves.

Does our relationship with Jesus produce an uncontainable joy?

Evidence #3: God Provides

Read John 21:9-14

The provision in this passage is found in the breakfast, the haul of fish, and the assurance that it was Jesus.

The breakfast

the fish and bread = feeding 5,000

a miracle where Jesus showed He was the Messiah

The haul of fish

Luke 5 - the nets begin to break

John 21 - the net was not torn

The assurance it was Jesus

unlike the “spirit” theory (Luke 24:37)

The post-resurrection relationship between Jesus and His disciples is that He continues to provide…but He expects us to do, as well

Philippians 2:12–13 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

There is no question that Jesus is risen.

The disciples engaged with Him multiple times over the course of the several weeks leading up to His ascension.

Are you ready to go…and make disciples of all nations, believing that He is risen?