Jesus Is Risen, Really!
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Title: Jesus Is Risen, Really!
Father, will you graciously by your Spirit open our minds that we may behold the wondrous mystery of the resurrection of your Son and our Saviour Jesus Christ. I ask this for our joy and your glory. Amen.
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Really? But you know, according to the Bible, that’s not how the very first Easter was celebrated by God’s people. If you say Christ is Risen, the reply will be “Fake News”!
This is what apostle Peter, the leader and spokesperson of Jesus’ disciples, will say to you if you told him that Jesus is Risen. And all of the apostles will echo that the news of Jesus’ resurrection is pure nonsense! The word nonsense in v.11 is translated in the ESV as idle talk. This word appears only once in the entire New Testament and the Greek lexicon define this word as, “that which is totally devoid of anything worthwhile” (BDAD). That definition certainly qualifies the news that “Jesus is risen” as fake.
Text:
The war against fake news is one that many countries are fighting against. Our neighbour Indonesia, the third largest democracy in the world just had their presidential elections. It was so important for them to fight fake news in order to have fair elections.
Now, that definition certainly qualifies
Singapore ourselves, before we were caught up in all the Jewel hype! But it’s really quite an amazing transformation of a carpark to a Jewel. I’ll just pass on the A&W, you’re might spend less time crossing the Causeway then queuing at Changi. Now, before Jewel, many Singaporeans were concerned about the proposed law to fight fake news.
The Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Bill
In yesterday’s Straits Times,… To tackle the problem of fake news, student developed an algorithm that could determine whether a news is real or fake with a success rate of 90%. Interesting. I wonder what the result will be if we enter, Jesus Christ is risen?
Why is the world so focused on fighting fake news?
Why is the world so focused on fighting fake news?
Well, so much is at stake isn’t it? Fake news can seem to cause the rise and fall of. kings and nations can seem to rise and fall. Fake news can damage reputations. Fake news raises public alarm. Fake news causes tensions between races, religious groups, between government and public.
Like it or not, fighting fake news is real because the dangers are real.
Damage to reputationCausing public alarmCausing tension between racial and religious groupsCausing tension between public and government
Fake News
Indeed, we need much discernment living in a world of fake news. No one wants to be fooled. We don’t like to be cheated. No one wants to be a victim of fake news. But friends, there are many newsworthy headlines, but there is no headline more import to verify than this, “Christ is risen”.
There is no more important news to verify that this news, because if Christ is risen, than everything changes. Nothing is more world-changing that the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Not only is the resurrection world changing. It’s also life changing. There’s nothing in your life that the resurrection of Jesus does not touch.
So what we will be doing this morning/afternoon is to test this headline: “Christ is risen”. And if at the end of this talk, we conclude that Christ is not risen is actually fake news, then all we can do is to repeat what the apostle Paul says in
Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.
Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 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.
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.
If Christ is not risen, that we who call ourselves Christians are still in our sins and we, of all the people in the world, just think of the poorest and the person most deserving of pity, you got a picture of him or her? Now, you can replace that picture with your own profile picture, because that person will be you. You will be the most pitied person in the world if “Christ is Risen” really turns out to be fake. You will be the poorest fool in the world for believing the fake news that Jesus rose from the dead.
1. The Resurrection Is Real vv. 1-12
1. The Resurrection Is Real vv. 1-12
So is the resurrection fake or real? Well, if you were alive during Jesus’ death, and you met these women early on the first Easter morning and asked them what they were doing, they would have said, “we’re prepared spices and we’re going to anoint Jesus’ body”. The women were going to the tomb, expecting to find Jesus’ body. They didn’t believe in his resurrection.
When the women found that Jesus’ body could not be found, they didn’t go, Jesus is risen! No. Luke tells us in v. 4 that the women were wondering. Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s wonder-women! :P They were probably wondering, who rolled the stone away? And more importantly, where is Jesus’ body?
Introduction: Fake News!
Introduction: Fake News!
1. The Resurrection Is Real vv. 1-12
1. The Resurrection Is Real vv. 1-12
As the women were wondering, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. First wonder women, now we have flash! :P Ok jokes aside, because the women are frightened and they bowed 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!”
What we have here in vv. 5 & 6 is the first news of the resurrection in Luke. These two men are declaring that Jesus is risen from the dead!
Now the fearful women with faces still in the ground must be wondering even more about what they are seeing and most importantly what they are hearing! Jesus is risen? Is it true? Can it be that the reason that Jesus’ body is not in the tomb is because he is risen? What could possibly answer the women’s fears?
The men continue in v. 6, 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.
The men commands the women to remember. The answer to the women’s questions and fears is Remember. It is in remembering the words of Jesus that ends their quest for Jesus’ body in the tomb.
One Bible commentator suggests that the act of remembering may be the most important virtue in Judaism. In the OT, esp Dueteromy, it’s filled with the command to remember. Just a rough count, 13 times!
, , , , , , , , , , , ,
Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the Lord your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day.
But do not be afraid of them; remember well what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt.
Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.
But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.
Remember this and never forget how you aroused the anger of the Lord your God in the wilderness. From the day you left Egypt until you arrived here, you have been rebellious against the Lord.
Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you. That is why I give you this command today.
Do not eat it with bread made with yeast, but for seven days eat unleavened bread, the bread of affliction, because you left Egypt in haste—so that all the days of your life you may remember the time of your departure from Egypt.
Remember that you were slaves in Egypt, and follow carefully these decrees.
Remember what the Lord your God did to Miriam along the way after you came out of Egypt.
Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you from there. That is why I command you to do this.
Remember that you were slaves in Egypt. That is why I command you to do this.
Remember what the Amalekites did to you along the way when you came out of Egypt.
Remember the days of old;
consider the generations long past.
Ask your father and he will tell you,
your elders, and they will explain to you.
Now all these remembers just tells you one thing about human beings— We forget. How often do we forget to remember God’s word.
So continuing from Moses to
“Remember the command that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you after he said, ‘The Lord your God will give you rest by giving you this land.’
But of course, sinful human beings, by the time we get to
And the people of Israel did not remember the Lord their God, who had delivered them from the hand of all their enemies on every side,
Remembering God’s word is a virtue. It is in remembering Jesus’ words that causes the women to stop fearing and start trusting. The women remembered Jesus’ words.
Notice how the men did not say, ‘Look the tomb is empty, therefore believe that the resurrection is real’. The men did not invite the women to come inspect the tomb carefully and to see for themselves the evidence of the resurrection, for there is none. The men simply proclaimed that Jesus is risen and command the women to remember Jesus’ words.
Notice how the men did not say, look the tomb is empty, therefore believe that the resurrection is real. The men did not invite the women to come inspect the tomb carefully and to see for themselves the evidence of the resurrection, for there is none. The men simply proclaimed that Jesus is risen and command the women to remember Jesus’ words.
APPLICATION: The primary explanation for the resurrection of Jesus is not the empty tomb, but the words of Jesus. The fact that the tomb is empty, is because Jesus said so!
There’s a favourite hymn we sing, ‘Because He Lives’ particularly at funerals in Mandai. It’s an encouraging song of hope. There’s the line, ‘An empty grave is there to prove that Jesus lives’. Well yes, of course, it’s true. But let us remember, that the grave is empty because Jesus said so.
So the very first Easter, no one remember that Jesus will rise on the third day. Not even the women, who were so devoted to Jesus, remembered.
Ironically, the only people who remembered Jesus will rise again the third day, and the very same people who killed him. . The chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. “Sir”, they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’
Ironically, the only people who remembered Jesus will rise again the third day, and the very same people who killed him. . The chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. “Sir”, they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’
They remembered Jesus’ words!
v.64, So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.”
Isn’t it strange that Jesus’ enemies remembered Jesus’ words better than his friends?
But Jesus’ fearful friends need to now remember his words. For it is in remembering the words of Jesus that lifts the fearful faces from the ground and causes them to return from the tomb and to tell of Jesus’ resurrection to the Eleven and to all the others.
It is in remembering the words of Jesus that lifts the fearful faces from the ground and causes them to return from the tomb and to tell of Jesus’ resurrection to the Eleven and to all the others.
2. The Suffering of Jesus Was Really Necessary vv. 13-35
2. The Suffering of Jesus Was Really Necessary vv. 13-35
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Really? But you know, according to the Bible, that’s not how the very first Easter was celebrated by God’s people. If you say Christ is Risen, the reply will be “Fake News”!
3. The Bible Is Really All About Jesus vv. 36-49
3. The Bible Is Really All About Jesus vv. 36-49
3. The Bible Is Really All About Jesus vv. 36-49
3. The Bible Is Really All About Jesus vv. 36-49
This is what apostle Peter, the leader and spokesperson of Jesus’ disciples, will say to you if you told him that Jesus is Risen. And all of the apostles will echo that the news of Jesus’ resurrection is pure nonsense!
4. The Worship of a Man, Really? vv. 50-53
4. The Worship of a Man, Really? vv. 50-53
The war against fake news is one that many countries are fighting against. Our neighbour Indonesia, the third largest democracy in the world just had their presidential elections. It was so important for them to fight fake news in order to have fair elections.
Singapore ourselves, before we were caught up in all the Jewel hype! But it’s really quite an amazing transformation of a carpark to a Jewel. Now, before Jewel, many Singaporeans were concerned about the proposed law to fight fake news.
In yesterday’s Straits Times,… To tackle the problem of fake news, student developed an algorithm that could determine whether a news is real or fake with a success rate of 90%. Interesting. I wonder what the result will be if we enter, Jesus Christ is risen?
Why is the world so focused on fighting fake news?
Well, so much is at stake isn’t it? Fake news can seem to cause the rise and fall of. kings and nations can seem to rise and fall. Fake news can damage reputations. Fake news raises public alarm. Fake news causes tensions between races, religious groups, between government and public.
Like it or not, fighting fake news is real because the dangers are real.
Indeed, we need much discernment living in a world of fake news. No one wants to be fooled. We don’t like to be cheated. No one wants to be a victim of fake news. But friends, there are many newsworthy headlines, but there is no headline more import to verify than this, “Christ is risen”.
There is no more important news to verify that this news, because if Christ is risen, than everything changes. Nothing is more world-changing that the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Not only is the resurrection world changing. It’s also life changing. There’s nothing in your life that the resurrection of Jesus does not touch.
So what we will be doing this morning/afternoon is to test this headline: “Christ is risen”. And if at the end of this talk, we conclude that Christ is not risen is actually fake news, then all we can do is to repeat what the apostle Paul says in
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.
ESV
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.
If Christ is not risen, then we who call ourselves Christians are still in our sins and we, of all the people in the world, just think of the poorest and the person most deserving of pity, you got a picture of him or her?
Now, you can replace that picture with your own profile picture, because that person will be you. You will be the most pitied person in the world if “Christ is Risen” really turns out to be fake. You will be the poorest fool in the world for believing the fake news that Jesus rose from the dead.
1. The Resurrection Is Real vv. 1-12
1. The Resurrection Is Real vv. 1-12
So is the resurrection fake or real? Well, if you were alive during Jesus’ death, and you met these women early on the first Easter morning and asked them what they were doing, they would have said, “we’re prepared spices and we’re going to anoint Jesus’ body”. The women were going to the tomb, expecting to find Jesus’ body. They didn’t believe in his resurrection.
When the women found that Jesus’ body could not be found, they didn’t go, Jesus is risen! No. Luke tells us in v. 4 that the women were wondering. Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s wonder-women! :P They were probably wondering, who rolled the stone away? And more importantly, where is Jesus’ body?
As the women were wondering, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. First wonder women, now we have flash! :P Ok jokes aside, because the women are frightened and they bowed 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!”
What we have here in vv. 5 & 6 is the first news of the resurrection in Luke. These two men are declaring that Jesus is risen from the dead!
Now the fearful women with faces still in the ground must be wondering even more about what they are seeing and most importantly what they are hearing! Jesus is risen? Is it true? Can it be that the reason that Jesus’ body is not in the tomb is because he is risen? What could possibly answer the women’s fears?
The men continue in v. 6, 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.
The men commands the women to remember. The answer to the women’s questions and fears is Remember. It is in remembering the words of Jesus that ends their quest for Jesus’ body in the tomb.
One Bible commentator suggests that the act of remembering may be the most important virtue in Judaism. In the OT, esp Dueteromy, it’s filled with the command to remember. Just a rough count, 13 times!
, , , , , , , , , , , ,
Remember, remember, remember!
Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the Lord your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day.
NIV
But do not be afraid of them; remember well what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt.
NIV
Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.
NIV
But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.
NIV
Remember this and never forget how you aroused the anger of the Lord your God in the wilderness. From the day you left Egypt until you arrived here, you have been rebellious against the Lord.
NIV
Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you. That is why I give you this command today.
NIV
Do not eat it with bread made with yeast, but for seven days eat unleavened bread, the bread of affliction, because you left Egypt in haste—so that all the days of your life you may remember the time of your departure from Egypt.
NIV
Remember that you were slaves in Egypt, and follow carefully these decrees.
NIV
Remember what the Lord your God did to Miriam along the way after you came out of Egypt.
NIV
Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you from there. That is why I command you to do this.
NIV
Remember that you were slaves in Egypt. That is why I command you to do this.
NIV
Remember what the Amalekites did to you along the way when you came out of Egypt.
NIV
consider the generations long past.
Ask your father and he will tell you,
your elders, and they will explain to you.
Now all these remembers just tells you one thing about human beings— We forget. How often do we forget to remember God’s word.
“Remember the command that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you after he said, ‘The Lord your God will give you rest by giving you this land.’
NIV
“Remember the command that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you after he said, ‘The Lord your God will give you rest by giving you this land.’
But of course, sinful human beings, by the time we get to
and did not remember the Lord their God, who had rescued them from the hands of all their enemies on every side.
Remembering God’s word is a virtue. It is in remembering Jesus’ words that causes the women to stop fearing and start trusting. The women remembered Jesus’ words.
ESV
And the people of Israel did not remember the Lord their God, who had delivered them from the hand of all their enemies on every side,
Remembering God’s word is a virtue. It is in remembering Jesus’ words that causes the women to stop fearing and start trusting. The women remembered Jesus’ words.
Notice how the men did not say, ‘Look the tomb is empty, therefore believe that the resurrection is real’. The men did not invite the women to come inspect the tomb carefully and to see for themselves the evidence of the resurrection, for there is none. The men simply proclaimed that Jesus is risen and command the women to remember Jesus’ words.
APPLICATION: The primary explanation for the resurrection of Jesus is not the empty tomb, but the words of Jesus. The fact that the tomb is empty, is because Jesus said so!
So the very first Easter, no one remembers that Jesus will rise on the third day. Not even the women, who were so devoted to Jesus, remembered.
So the very first Easter, no one remembers that Jesus will rise on the third day. Not even the women, who were so devoted to Jesus, remembered.
Ironically, the only people who remembered Jesus will rise again the third day, and the very same people who killed him. . The chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. “Sir”, they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’
They remembered Jesus’ words!
v.64, So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.”
Isn’t it strange that Jesus’ enemies remembered Jesus’ words better than his friends?
But Jesus’ fearful friends need to now remember his words. For it is only in remembering the words of Jesus that they are able to lift their fearful faces from the ground. It’s only in remembering the words of Jesus that they can now believe that Jesus is not here; and that Jesus is risen!
And so Luke tells us in v.8, “Then they remembered his words”. The women fears turned to faith as their wondering turned to remembering.
Brothers and sisters in Christ, Remembering God’s word turns fears to faith. Forgetfulness will always lead us to fear. I’m so glad that in Living Praise we’re remembering the New City Catechism together. For in remembering we turn our fears to faith. So may God increase our faith, our trust in him as we remember his Word.
And this faith then expresses itself in action. For Luke goes on to tell us from v.9, that the women came back from the tomb. They weren’t trying to look for Jesus’ body in the tomb anymore. They returned and they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others.
Now Luke names the women, the first people to whom the resurrection is proclaimed, who are now the first to proclaim the resurrection. They are in v.10, Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the Mother of James, and the others with them. And check out who the women are speaking to... The apostles!
Now Luke names the women, the first people to whom the resurrection is proclaimed, who are now the first to proclaim the resurrection. They are in v.10, Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the Mother of James, and the others with them. And check out who the women are speaking to... The apostles!
Now, I cannot imagine having an easier congregation to proclaim the resurrection to than the apostles. Is there any need to? We recite the Apostle’s Creed! And here are the very apostles! The Apostle’s Creed, well, it wasn’t written by them, but it contains a summary of Christian beliefs that was learnt from the apostles. It contains this line… “On the third day he rose again”.
So the women is surely going to have an easy time proclaiming that Christ is risen to the apostles right? Well, wrong!
Luke in v. 11 says that the apostles did not believe the women. Why? Because their words seemed to them like nonsense! What, Jesus is risen? What could possibly cause our women to spread such fake news?
Now remember once again who the women are proclaiming to, the apostles. The very ones who have seen Jesus, ate with him, walked and talked with Jesus. Surely they of all people should be the first to remember the words of Jesus, that on the third day he will rise? But no, they did not believe. They judged the resurrection of Jesus to be nonsense. Fake news.
Wow, if the apostles can be convinced that the resurrection of Jesus is real, who can be? What we have here is apostolic evidence. The apostolic council has declared here that the resurrection of Jesus is nonsense!
Now if Luke in writing is trying to convince his readers about the reality of the resurrection, this response of the apostles doesn’t do anything to help his cause. See, even the apostles doubted, why should we believe?
Further, there’s something about the culture then that we need to understand. The culture was such that Judaism generally disqualified women as competent witnesses in matters of law or unless there were no male witnesses.
Further, there’s something about the culture then that we need to understand. The culture was such that Judaism generally disqualified women as competent witnesses in matters of law or unless there were no male witnesses.
Now in the case of Jesus’ resurrection, all the first witnesses are women! Now think about it, if Luke was trying to create fake news of Jesus’ resurrection, why did use female witnesses instead of male witnesses. Can you imagine his readers coming to this part of his story. What women witnesses? Surely the resurrection is fake news!
So, why did Luke write his story this way? Friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, there is only one reason— the resurrection is real. The only reason why Luke who write witnesses that even the court of law would not admit is because that is exactly what had happened! Luke had no good reason to discredit his own story of having doubting apostles and ‘unreliable witnesses’ but he did. Luke wrote the story the way he did because the resurrection is real. It’s truly incredible!
Now, we have to remember that this is how the culture operated during those days. The Bible is not prescribing how we should treat the testimonies of women, it’s simply describing how the culture operated then. Which in this case, makes the resurrection such a certain reality.
Now imagine for a while that the first witnesses was not Mary but Marcus. Men and not women. Would the apostles have responded differently? I doubt it. Resurrection surpasses human comprehension. Our human minds simply cannot comprehend how a dead person can come back to life. Not even the strongest evidence can convince an apostle.
Take a look at what Peter does in v. 12. Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves.
So Peter did the right thing in trying to verify the news of Jesus’ resurrection. He ran and saw the empty tomb. He sees evidence of the strips of linen that used to wrap Jesus’ body. He saw for himself that Jesus is not there. But is Jesus risen? Did Peter remember Jesus’ words and believe? All the evidence is before Peter’s very eyes, is it enough to convince Peter?
So Peter did the right thing in trying to verify the news of Jesus’ resurrection. He ran and saw the empty tomb. He sees evidence of the strips of linen that used to wrap Jesus’ body. He saw for himself that Jesus is not there. But is Jesus risen? Did Peter remember Jesus’ words and believe? All the evidence is before Peter’s very eyes, is it enough to convince Peter?
Look at what Luke tells of Peter at the end of v.12, Peter went away from the tomb, wondering to himself what had happened. Peter did not believe. He wondered. The same the women wondered when they saw the empty tomb. All the evidence was not enough to produce faith in Peter!
Friends, if you are looking for evidence of Jesus’ resurrection, the truth is this. All the evidence in the world will not be convincing enough for you. It wasn’t even convincing enough for the apostle Peter. Now I’m not asking you to lower your standards or stop demanding evidence. There is a place for apologetics, questions and answers. But that’s not enough for faith.
I’m simply pointing out the limitations of this way of thinking— that if I have enough evidence I will believe. Luke is telling you, no you won’t. Peter didn’t believe despite all the evidence. Peter only wondered. He did not remember the words of Jesus. The only way that you will be convinced that the resurrection is real and not fake news is not by proof of evidence.
I’m simply pointing out to limitations of things that if I have enough evidence I will believe. Luke is telling you, no you won’t. Peter didn’t believe despite all the evidence. Peter only wondered. He did not remember the words of Jesus. The only way that you will be convinced that the resurrection is real and not fake news is not by proof of evidence.
The resurrection is real only when you remember the words of Jesus— Luke wrote them for us in ., “We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. He will be delivered over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him and spit on him; they will flog him and kill him. (Friends, that’s Good Friday). On the third day he will rise again.”
The disciples did not understand any of this then. And neither do they understand now that the resurrection is real. The resurrection is unreal because they did not remember his words.
The disciples did not understand any of this then. And neither do they understand now that the resurrection is real. The resurrection is unreal because they did not remember his words.
2. The Suffering of Jesus Was Really Necessary vv. 13-35
2. The Suffering of Jesus Was Really Necessary vv. 13-35
Now perhaps some of you are thinking that the evidence is not good enough. After all, seeing is believing. Really? Luke continues his Easter story with two disciples who see Jesus and still did not believe. Check it out from v.13
Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about 11 kilometres from Jerusalem. They’re talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they’re talking and discussing, a man catches up and walks along with them and asks them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”
SILENCE. The question seems to have interrupted all their talking and brought up all their emotions. And Luke tells us that they just stood still and their faces downcast. It was one gloomy road to Emmaus.
One of them, named Cleopas, asks him. Of course, Luke tells us that this man is none other than Jesus himself. So we really don’t know to laugh or to cry when Cleopas asks Jesus, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
Jesus was mocked before his death. But even after his resurrection, he has to deal with mocking from his own disciple! Such is the humility of Jesus’ incarnation. Jesus mercifully doesn’t reply, do you know who you’re talking to?! For obviously, they don’t. Jesus graciously asks in v.19, “What things?”, which lovingly invites the disciples to share their story from their sad hearts.
Jesus simple but insightful question, gives us an in-depth look into the hearts of these troubled disciples.
as to why these disciples who are seeing the risen Jesus cannot believe in the risen Christ.
So the disciples answers Jesus, “About Jesus of Nazareth. He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people.” There we have it, in four words, the disciples reveal why they do not believe in the resurrection. “He was a prophet.” So as far as these disciples are concerned, Jesus was a prophet, like Moses was a prophet. A powerful prophet, but only a prophet. The two disciples could not make any sense of the missing body of a prophet and an empty tomb.
They go on to share more of their heart from v.20. “The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him;” Pay attention now to what they say in v.21, “But we had hope that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel.”
The keyword there is ‘But’ for it reveals their false hopes. The disciples were hoping for redemption, BUT they could not understand how the death of Jesus accomplishes that. If fact, the death of Jesus means for them that there is no redemption!
The word there is ‘But’ for it reveals their false hopes. The disciples were hoping for redemption, BUT they could not understand how the death of Jesus accomplishes that. If fact, the death of Jesus means for them that there is no redemption!
Now when we hear the word redemption today, we probably think of coupons or vouchers that we can use to get a free gift or discount. For these disciples, they too understood redemption wrongly. For they were thinking of political redemption. They wanted freedom from the Gentiles who were ruling them. They were hoping that Jesus will be the mighty one who will grant them the independence. But the crucifixion and death of Jesus killed all hope.
All they hear now is the case of a missing Jesus, and along with that, all hopes of political hope of redemption is also missing.
The disciples might have been discussing. Why did Jesus have to die? All our hopes of redemption have now died along with him. Did you see why they are so sad? They tell Jesus of how the women went to the tomb but did not see Jesus. Now these two, standing before Jesus, also do not see Jesus. Clearly, seeing is not believing. For their seeing is blurred by their false hopes of Jesus.
Now Jesus, who is supposedly the one only fool who does not know and slow to know all that has happened in Jerusalem, says to them from v.25, “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?”
The disciples saw Jesus death as unnecessary, but Jesus says, the suffering of Jesus was really necessary!
The disciples thought the the death of Jesus killed all hopes of redemption, but Jesus explains how his death truly gives redemption for his people. Jesus explains by going back to the Scriptures. Just as the men commanded the women to remember the words of Jesus. Jesus now brings the two disciples in probably what is one of the most amazing Bible studies ever.
In v.27, Jesus brings them back to Genesis, beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, this is all of Scriptures for the disciples,and what does Jesus do here? Jesus explains to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
Now this is some mind blowing Bible study! Check it out! Jesus, whom John calls the Word, opens up the Word, all of Scriptures, and he explains the Word, concerning Jesus himself! Ownself explain ownself!
Jesus, whom John calls the Word, opens up the Word, all of Scriptures, and he explains the Word, concerning Jesus himself!
Luke doesn’t quote any particular passages, but surely one of them must include a passage like , which begins, who has believed our message? No one, and certainly no these disciples.
Listen to how Jesus’ death accomplishes our redemption in v.5, “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”
And listen to how Jesus’ death accomplishes our redemption in v.5, “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”
By his wounds, we are healed. The suffering of Jesus was really necessary for it brings us peace. Not the kind of peace and redemption which the disciples was falsely hoping for. The peace that Jesus brings is one between sinful man and a holy God. The suffering of Jesus was really necessary for it’s by his wounds that we are healed.
The suffering of Jesus was necessary because there’s no other way by which we can have peace, there’s no other way for us to be healed. There’s no other way for God’s people to receive spiritual redemption if not for the suffering of Jesus.
Now parents, under what circumstances would you send your child to a people who would kill your son or daughter? Now, why would God do that? Why would God send his Son to a people who will kill him. Why would God do that, unless it was absolutely necessary?
God is powerful. You know that from the opening pages of the Bible when you see him creating everything and everyone by the power of his word. But as powerful as God is, he cannot simply forgive you “by his word”. Christ had to die for our sins so that we might live.
, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed”. Do you hear the quotation of there in 1 Peter? Christ died so that we might live. By his would you have been healed. The suffering of Jesus was really necessary.
The suffering of Jesus was really necessary.
So Page after page... this has been God’s plan of salvation for his people. That his Son will redeem his people from sin, through his substitutionary death on the cross for us. And Jesus walked and shows the disciples from all of Scriptures the necessity of his death for the true redemption of his people.
Now, the way Jesus conducts his Bible study has such important implication for us in reading and teaching the Bible. The truth we must remember in Bible reading is what Jesus says about the Word. Jesus fulfils the whole Scripture because it points to him as the climax of God’s delivering his people.
Now, the way Jesus conducts his Bible study has such important implication for us in reading and teaching the Bible. The truth we must remember in Bible reading is what Jesus says about the Word. Jesus fulfils the whole Scripture because it points to him as the climax of God’s delivering his people.
Now the Bible is a big book, with many stories. But all the stories are actually telling one big story of how God loves his people and sends his Son to rescue them. The OT promises it, the NT fulfills it, in Christ!
It’s important for us to always keep an eye out for Jesus whenever we are reading or teaching the Bible, if not, the story that we are reading or teaching, may not really by the true Bible story. We might just end up like these two disciples, having false hopes and never really seeing Jesus.
Now the Bible is a big book, with many stories. But all the stories are actually telling one big story of how God loves his people and sends his Son to rescue them. The OT promises it, the NT fulfills it, in Christ! It’s important for us to always keep an eye out for Jesus whenever we are reading or teaching the Bible, if not, the story that we are reading or teaching, may not really by the true Bible story. We might just end up like these two disciples, having false hopes and never really seeing Jesus.
These wrong ways of reading or telling Bible stories are sometimes infamously labeled as “Sunday School stories”. And the most famous one being the story of David and Goliath. You all know this one, young shepherd boy vs. Big bad Giant. Fast forward the story, David knocks the giant out with one stone. Hooray! And we ask, so kids, and now church, what’s the “moral” of the story? I want to be like David! Yes, church be like David, have faith, and let’s go slaying our giants!
Now the problem is, where is Jesus in this story? Nowhere. If all we ever need is the moral of be like David, then we don’t really need Jesus.
Now, we need to see how Jesus might have told this story to the two disciples. Instead of being like David, we are more like the scared people of God, there is no one who is brave, strong enough to defeat Goliath. But when David defeats Goliath, we all cheer as if the victory belongs to us.
Tim Keller puts it this way, Jesus is the true and better David whose victory becomes his people’s victory, though they never lifted a stone to accomplish it themselves.
The Bible is not primarily moral book to be read for it’s Dos and Don’ts. The Bible is a story, a true story, that tells us of Jesus and how he lovingly saves his people from sin. It’s a story that shows that people are unable to save ourselves, no matter how hard we try. It’s a story that shows how it’s necessary for Jesus to suffer and then enter into glory.
Now, if this is the first time, someone has explained the Bible to you this way. It can all be a little mind blowing. And you probably have more questions than answers. Well, take heart, the two disciples were probably quite dizzy themselves having Jesus explain all of Scriptures to them in such a Christ-Centered way.
But rather than being put off, they wanted more. As the day drew near an end, Luke tells us in v.29 that they invited Jesus to stay with them. And it was at the dining table, when Jesus took break and gave thanks and gave it to them. That’s when their eyes were opened and the finally recognise that, it’s Jesus! But Jesus disappears the very moment that the disciples see him.
But don’t worry friends, they don’t have to wait long to see Jesus. All they have to do is to look at the Scriptures, and they will see Jesus on every page as all the Scriptures concern Jesus. For the disciples say to one another in v.32, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
It is in seeing the necessity of Jesus’ suffering in all of Scriptures that allows the disciples to believe in the reality of Jesus’ resurrection.
It’s this Christ-centered way of reading the Bible that comforts their troubled hearts and grants them faith in the risen Jesus. And now from the faith that is grounded in all of Scriptures, they now return to Jerusalem I imagine joyfully, for they have seen the Lord Jesus, instead of walking sadly away from it like they did earlier.
And they return to Jerusalem. And finding the apostles and all gathered there, they must be delighted to hear them proclaim in v.34, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.”
Oh, finally the emotions that are appropriate to Easter are expressed. Christ is risen indeed! For now Luke tells us that that Jesus has now appeared to Simon who is Peter. And of course, the two disciples must be telling the incredible story of Jesus was walking and talking with them and how they did not recognise Jesus all the way until he broke the bread.
So, now, does that settle it then. Jesus is risen, is not fake news? No more fears, no more sadness, no more doubts? All is certain? Well, apparently not! Luke writes a fascinating story!
3. The Bible Is Really All About Jesus vv. 36-49
3. The Bible Is Really All About Jesus vv. 36-49
Follow on in v.26, while they were still talking about this, about seeing the risen Jesus obviously! Jesus himself stands among them and says, “Peace be with you.”
Now, by this time, all fear should be gone. The apostles have already now declared is true that Jesus has risen! We now have two credible witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection from the disciples of Emmaus. There should be no fear of fake news any more right?
Well, we are wrong again! For the moment Jesus said, “Peace”. All of them were startled and frightened. And not only that, they think that they’ve seen a ghost!
Now that’s truly incredible how scared these apostles and the people gathered there are.
You see, some years ago, I heard of the passing of an acquaintance that I knew. A few months after the news of his passing, I saw the man standing at the side of the road. I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was really him! Good thing I wasn’t alone, I was with a friend and so I asked him. Hey, isn’t that the person who passed away some months back? What is he doing standing at the side of the road! And my friend replied with the scariest answer, yes he is! I couldn’t believe my eyes, and I couldn’t believe what my friend said.
We were heading to a big gathering and another friend saw me, asked me, Roy, are you ok, you look like you saw a ghost. And I my reply was, I think I did! You see, people who are dead are not supposed to be alive again. Yet that’s what believing in the resurrection means!
Of course, in the end, my case was one of mistaken identity and not resurrection. But not for the apostles gathered there in the room during the first Easter. Jesus himself stood amongst them! And they thought they saw a ghost.
Jesus says to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hand and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.
Even as Jesus is showing them his nailed scared hands and feet, Luke tells us in v.41, that the still do not believe. But this time, the reason is because of joy and amazement. Well, the resurrection after all is something to good to be true isn’t it? It’s really a difficult thing to believe in the resurrection.
So what does Jesus do to show that he’s really not a ghost? He asks for something to eat. And they gave him a piece of broiled fish. And Jesus takes and eats it in front of them. Proving that he has a physical body.
And to further assure them of their fears and doubts, Jesus reminds them of his words that he spoke to them and opens up the Scriptures with them. in v. 44, “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 Jesus opened their minds so that they could understand the Scriptures. Jesus 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.
Now in the same way as he did with the two disciples, Jesus once again opens up all of Scriptures to show them that the Bible is really all about himself, Jesus.
I quoted Tim Keller earlier regarding David. I quote him in full now, as I think it captures well what Jesus is trying to show to his apostles, that the Bible is really all about Jesus. (SLIDE)
I quoted Tim Keller earlier regarding David. I quote him in full now, as I think it captures well what JEsus is trying to show to his apostles, that the Bible is really all about Jesus. (SLIDE?)
Jesus is the true and better Adam who passed the test in the garden and whose obedience is imputed to us.
Jesus is the true and better Abel who, though innocently slain, has blood now that cries out, not for our condemnation, but for acquittal.
Jesus is the true and better Abraham who answered the call of God to leave all the comfortable and familiar and go out into the void not knowing wither he went to create a new people of God.
Jesus is the true and better Isaac who was not just offered up by his father on the mount but was truly sacrificed for us. And when God said to Abraham, “Now I know you love me because you did not withhold your son, your only son whom you love from me,” now we can look at God taking his son up the mountain and sacrificing him and say, “Now we know that you love us because you did not withhold your son, your only son, whom you love from us.”
Jesus is the true and better Jacob who wrestled and took the blow of justice we deserved, so we, like Jacob, only receive the wounds of grace to wake us up and discipline us.
Jesus is the true and better Jacob who wrestled and took the blow of justice we deserved, so we, like Jacob, only receive the wounds of grace to wake us up and discipline us.
Jesus is the true and better Joseph who, at the right hand of the king, forgives those who betrayed and sold him and uses his new power to save them.
Jesus is the true and better Moses who stands in the gap between the people and the Lord and who mediates a new covenant.
Jesus is the true and better Rock of Moses who, struck with the rod of God’s justice, now gives us water in the desert.
Jesus is the true and better Job, the truly innocent sufferer, who then intercedes for and saves his stupid friends.
Jesus is the true and better David whose victory becomes his people’s victory, though they never lifted a stone to accomplish it themselves.
Jesus is the true and better Esther who didn’t just risk leaving an earthly palace but lost the ultimate and heavenly one, who didn’t just risk his life, but gave his life to save his people.
Jesus is the true and better Jonah who was cast out into the storm so that we could be brought in.
Jesus is the real Rock of Moses, the real Passover Lamb, innocent, perfect, helpless, slain so the angel of death will pass over us. He’s the true temple, the true prophet, the true priest, the true king, the true sacrifice, the true lamb, the true light, the true bread.
The Bible’s really not about you—it’s about him.
The Bible’s really not about you—it’s about him.
Brothers and sisters in Christ, the Bible is really about Jesus. May God open our hearts to see and believe from Scriptures, the life, death and resurrection of Jesus!
....
4. The Worship of a Man, Really? vv. 50-53
4. The Worship of a Man, Really? vv. 50-53
????
One way Christians express our believe in the Apostles Creed, which ends like this.
The apostles Creed ends like this. I don’t know, but very often when we recite it, I can get through the end of the creed without choking up because the creed says...
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic (Universal) Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Now these are truths that are humanly impossible to confess.
No one can recite the Apostle’s Creed with true faith....by themselves?
4. The Worship of a Man, Really? vv. 50-53
4. The Worship of a Man, Really? vv. 50-53
So now Luke concludes his gospel in vv. 50-53. And what we have is a scene of worship. Similar to how he began his gospel, with Zechariah the temple priest, worshipping God and praising him for coming to his people and redeeming them (1:68).
But there is a key difference in the object of worship. Zechariah was worshipping God. Now at the end of the gospel, we see the disciples worshipping a man, a fish-eating man! V.52, they worshipped him, Jesus.
Now why would a fish-eating man be worshipped? Luke records Jesus’ own words in 4:8, “You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.”
Why would Jesus allows his disciples to worship a man? For worship is only due to God and God alone.
The reason that a fish eating man can be worshipped is when his resurrection is real and not fake news.
The reason that a man can be worshipped is when his suffering was really necessary for the true redemption of his people.
The reason that a fish eating man can be worshipped is when we see that the Bible is really about all him.
May God open our hearts and minds to see and believe from Scriptures, the wondrous mystery of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus!
May God open our hearts to see and believe from Scriptures, the life, death and resurrection of Jesus!
Jesus is truly risen. The reason that the worship of a man is not idolatry, worship of a false God, is when
Jesus Christ has truly resurrected from the dead.
Repeat main points...
Brothers and sisters in Christ, the Bible is really about Jesus. May God open our hearts to see and believe from Scriptures, the life, death and resurrection of Jesus!
....
For this is indeed the purpose of the gospel, that sinners can be forgiven and redeemed by the life, death and resurrection of Jesus and bow the knee in glad and joyful worship of our Saviour.
And by God’s mercy and grace help you to confess that
Christ is risen!
Christ is risen!
Christ is risen!
Let us worship Jesus! Let us pray.
Come behold the wondrous mystery
Slain by death the God of life
But no grave could e’er restrain Him
Praise the Lord; He is alive!
Let us worship Jesus!
What a foretaste of deliverance
How unwavering our hope
Christ in power resurrected
As we will be when he comes
Prayer
Benediction:
Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.