“PICTURES OF EASTER”

Text: John 2:19-21

John 2:19–21 KJV 1900

19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. 20 Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? 21 But he spake of the temple of his body.

Introduction:

I chose this passage for my text, not because it is a direct text concerning the events of Easter, but because it is a key prophecy of what would take place on this day.

The statement was made by Jesus Himself, not any other individual. It was made with certainty and sincerity.

It was made with confidence and clarity.

This verse is a solid refutation of those who doubt, dispute, or disbelieve that Jesus literally and physically arose from the dead.

It is not the only verse on the doctrine, but because Jesus Himself made this statement, it is the most important one, because if He lied about this, then we could trust no other Bible passage or any other individual’s statements about it!

As with any other miracle in the Bible, stories have been circulated to discredit this event which God tells us we must believe in our heart if we even have any hope to be saved.

Some have said He just swooned and eventually revived from the coolness of the grave (so He didn’t really die at all).

Some say He only arose spiritually, not bodily. Others have bought into the very first lie, “The disciples stole the body.”

Still, others just say those visitors on that morning were all at the wrong tomb. It’s hard to believe anyone could build anything on such flimsy foundations, but it would surprise you how many followers these people have.

The Bible, though, is not just replete with accounts of His resurrection and eyewitnesses of it who wrote and told about it.

We have pictures throughout both Old and New Testament as well as in common experiences of life.

I. The Bible stories showing the resurrection

A. New life after flood of Noah’s day (Gen 8-9)

B. Abraham & Isaac (Gen 22)

Genesis 22 KJV 1900

1 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. 2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. 3 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. 4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off. 5 And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you. 6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together. 7 And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? 8 And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. 9 And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. 10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. 11 And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. 12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. 13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. 14 And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen. 15 And the angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, 16 And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: 17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; 18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice. 19 So Abraham returned unto his young men, and they rose up and went together to Beer-sheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beer-sheba. 20 And it came to pass after these things, that it was told Abraham, saying, Behold, Milcah, she hath also born children unto thy brother Nahor; 21 Huz his firstborn, and Buz his brother, and Kemuel the father of Aram, 22 And Chesed, and Hazo, and Pildash, and Jidlaph, and Bethuel. 23 And Bethuel begat Rebekah: these eight Milcah did bear to Nahor, Abraham’s brother. 24 And his concubine, whose name was Reumah, she bare also Tebah, and Gaham, and Thahash, and Maachah.

C. Jonah and the whale (see Mat 12:39,40 to note what Jesus said to verify this)

Matthew 12:39 KJV 1900

39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:

Matthew 12:40 KJV 1900

40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

D. Destruction of the temple (John 2: 12-21 )

John 2:12–21 KJV 1900

12 After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days. 13 And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, 14 And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: 15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; 16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise. 17 And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up. 18 Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? 19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. 20 Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? 21 But he spake of the temple of his body.

E. The grain of wheat (John 12:24)

John 12:24 KJV 1900

24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

F. Baptism (Rom 6:5)

Romans 6:5 KJV 1900

5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

II. The beautiful pictures in daily life

A. Sunrise

B. Seed planting

C. Springtime

D. Sleep and awakening

E. Sunday church attendance

III. The bodily resurrection is promised to all men (1Th 4:13-18, 1Co 15:20-26, 35-57, Rev 20:11-15)

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 KJV 1900

13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

1 Corinthians 15:20–26 KJV 1900

20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. 24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

1 Corinthians 15:35–57 KJV 1900

35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? 36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: 37 And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: 38 But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. 39 All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. 40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. 42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. 48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. 50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Revelation 20:11–15 KJV 1900

11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

A. It will be physical

B. It will be conscious

C. It will be in one of two final destinations

IV. The body of Christ after His resurrection directly parallels ours yet to come

A. He had a physical body, even though somewhat different than one we have now (flesh and bones vs. flesh and blood)

1. He could appear and disappear

2. He could walk through solid objects

3. He ate and could be touched

4. He could be recognized

5. Defied gravity when He ascended to heaven

B. The debate about His spiritual body now, and how we will see Him (scars or not?)

Conclusion:

There are those who would convince us that observing Easter, like observing Christmas, is pagan and we should have no part of it.

Although I do believe we need to be careful of getting too involved with the carnal extremes to which Easter has been taken (the Easter bunny, eggs, candy, new clothes, etc.), I do not believe we should abandon its meaning and observance totally just because man has made merchandise and carnality out of the most important day in the Christian faith.

If we toss out the observance of Easter just because man has made so much addition to the story and carnal gain from it, we may as well abandon what we believe happened on this day also.

No, the true message of Easter needs to be proclaimed more now than ever.

If in this life only we have hope, we are of all men most miserable, but

“Because He lives, we can face tomorrow!

Because He lives, all fear is gone!

Because we know He holds the future,

then life is worth the living just because He lives!”

THE RESURRECTION BODY OF CHRIST

Text: John 20:17-27

John 20:17–27 KJV 1900

17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. 18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her. 19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. 21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: 23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. 24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. 26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

Introduction:

When Jesus arose from the dead, His body was not some ghostly thing, yet He could behave like one in being able to appear and disappear and walk through closed doors.

It was a body like no other before or since. We are told when we are raptured we will have a body like His.

The resurrected Christ appeared again to John the apostle when he wrote the book of Revelation.

It seems His appearance then was different than the one He appeared to men with on earth.

I believe this is the form we will see Him with when we get there, not the form He had when on earth, but not everyone agrees about some of the distinctions He will have there, as we will see in this lesson.

Really, it is not an issue. We will see Him, regardless!

I. The prohibition of touching (John 20:17,27)

John 20:17 KJV 1900

17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

John 20:27 KJV 1900

27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

A. When He first arose, He told Mary not to touch Him, for He had not ascended to His Father.

This parallels with the Old Testament priest on the Day of Atonement, when he could not be touched by another from the time he offered the sacrifice until he had put the blood on the mercy seat and came back out.

Jesus had completed the sacrifice, then He went to His Father to sprinkle it on the mercy seat—so He did go to heaven for a brief time before the final ascension forty days later.

B. When He appeared to Thomas, the prohibition no longer was there.

C. We will likely be allowed touch Him, therefore, when we see Him!

II.. The personal appearance (John 20:25,27)

John 20:25 KJV 1900

25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

John 20:27 KJV 1900

27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

A. He responded to Thomas’ doubt by urging him to reach out and touch the prints in His hands and side.

We do not know if Thomas took Him up on that or not, but the fact was, He had scars then.

B. Many believe because of this experience we will see His scars in heaven, to ever remind us of what He did for us on the cross.

C. Others say we will not see His scars since no scars are mentioned in His appearance to John the apostle in Revelation.

Since we will have perfect knowledge, why would we need this reminder?

It hints of us still having some lack of faith or appreciation when we get there.

D. He was not readily known (Luke 24:16, John 20:14, 21:4)

Luke 24:16 KJV 1900

16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.

John 20:14 KJV 1900

14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

John 21:4 KJV 1900

4 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.

Now this may have been because He caused the recognition of Him to be withheld as He willed, or just simply because it was so hard for the observer to believe it was really He and He was alive.

E. His body had flesh and bone (Luke 24:39) When we are told flesh and blood shall not enter the kingdom of God (1Co 15:50), this is why.

Luke 24:39 KJV 1900

39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

1 Corinthians 15:50 KJV 1900

50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

We will not have a body of flesh and blood. Instead of the life of the flesh being in the blood as it is here, the life of the flesh will be in the Spirit.

F. He ate in His resurrected body (Luke 24:41-43)

Luke 24:41–43 KJV 1900

41 And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? 42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. 43 And he took it, and did eat before them.

So will we, at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb and perhaps from the Tree of Life.

G. He defied gravity (Luke 24:50,51)—and so will we at the rapture!

Luke 24:50 KJV 1900

50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.

Luke 24:51 KJV 1900

51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.

H. He took interest in details (John 20:5-7)—Who else would have folded that napkin and placed things that way in the grave?

John 20:5–7 KJV 1900

5 And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. 6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, 7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.

III. The present ministry (Acts 7:55,56)

Acts 7:55 KJV 1900

55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,

Acts 7:56 KJV 1900

56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

A. Welcoming saints home In Stephen’s case, He STOOD!

We don’t know if He does that for every saint or just the martyrs, or who else, but He will welcome us home someday! Psa 116:15.

Psalm 116:15 KJV 1900

15 Precious in the sight of the Lord Is the death of his saints.

B. Interceding for saints now Thank God for THAT ministry.

Even in our best days, we need Him as our Advocate and Propitiation for our sin!

Conclusion:

The literal, physical, bodily resurrection of Christ is important.

It is not just enough to believe He arose. One must believe HOW He arose.

The resurrection in this manner was God putting the authoritative and approving stamp on His Son’s work.