The Three Responses to Resurrection

Introduction

Good morning to everyone on this Resurrection Sunday. We are thankful and celebrate this day because we know that God keeps his promises.

In this day, as we examine Jesus rise from death, let’s examine something different. Let’s examine three groups of people who saw Jesus and their reactions. The title of this message thus is the three responses to resurrection.

So before we start, let’s get some context.

English Standard Version Chapter 24

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.”

The setting, early in the morning, the group of women go to the tomb with spices they had prepared for the body of Jesus. As they arrive, they noticed something different. The heavy stone was rolled away and the tomb was empty. Suddenly they see two men in dazzling apparel. They proclaim that Christ has risen and to remember the words that Jesus spoke. This lead for us to examine the first group.

Group 1

The first group that we are going to discuss is the women who came to the tomb. Now this is important because it shows us an example of belief. In Luke 24:8-12 we see their reaction.

English Standard Version Chapter 24

8 And they remembered his words, 9 and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, 11 but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.

Thus when we analyze their reaction, we see that after the two men spoke to them, their first act was that of remembrance. As they remembered Jesus words, their faith grew and their response was to share the good news with the apostles. Their response to the resurrection was to share the good news.

Group 2

The second group that we are going to focus on are those that were going on the road to Emmaus. He appeared to two disciples. One of them was Cleopas, the other, an unknown disciple.

English Standard Version Chapter 24

That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” 25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” 33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

As we read this passage, there are several things that stand out. First of all, these two disciples were making the journey that was 7 miles away. While they were walking, they were talking and discussing to each other about every thing that had happened. Now Jesus doesn’t come up and join the conversation, he instead walks behind you listening the arguments being made getting closer and closer to them and more important, Jesus made sure that they would not recognize Him. And then out of nowhere, he inserted himself into the narrative.

When He comes in, they stop and look sad. Cleopas then goes to Him and goes, haven’t you heard? Didn’t you come from Jerusalem? Don’t you know what happened? Were you not in the room when it happened? And Jesus goes, What do you mean? What happened? I want to know. Then Cleopas goes and says Haven’t you heard of Jesus, a mighty prophet, and how he was sentenced to death by all the people in power? We all hoped he was the messiah, but it’s been three days since it happened. I heard a rumor. Some of the women went to the tomb and they saw angels who were stating he’s alive. A couple of them went to check and the tomb was empty. Jesus then goes and replies to them, seriously, haven’t you heard was stated in the tanakh? Didn’t it state that he had to suffer in order to enter into Glory like the prophets before had stated. Let’s start with Moses. And as Jesus walked with them, he explained to them step by step all the prophecies that he needed to meet.

Now as they got near to their end, Jesus was like well I’ll see you guys later. And Cleopas and the other disciple went and asked him to stay. Jesus stayed, he sat at the table with them, prayed and broke the bread and gave it to them. At them seeing it happen, they realized who it was and Jesus disappeared.

Now this story is significant because it brings us to see what happens when you are guided by your logic and reasoning instead of faith. These two disciples, were arguing with logic, trying to see how Jesus fit into the narrative. Meanwhile, Jesus walks by them and completes the pieces that they are missing in their logic and reasoning. But even then, they don’t believe. Thus, logic and reasoning can cause you to recognize who God is but it does affect whether you believe in Him or not.

Second, when Jesus announces that he is going to keep on walking, their response was an invitation. This is the exact mirror image of an unbeliever when he comes to Christ. Christ will be there for you, He will walk with you, but if you don’t invite Him in, he will never be your Lord and Savior.

Lastly, he blessed the food, broke the bread, and gave it to them. This is important. They were all gathered around, for the second time, they were not active, they were there. They took a rest. Imagine when you’re eating with your family, the food is on the table, and then everyone’s there and in that moment you get to reflect on your day and see how it went for the other members of your family. It’s this moment of pause and reflection that they can finally see Jesus, standing right there in front of them. It wasn’t when Jesus was talking to them in a cerebral manner while walking, it was when they were in an intimate setting, when they finally get to experience Jesus that they recognize him.

The walk to Emmaus demonstrates the cerebral response to His resurrection. It illustrates that we can know who Jesus is but until we invite him into our life as Lord and Savior we will not be able to understand who Jesus is. This then leads us to analyze the third group.

Group 3

Now the third group are the apostles. This is an interesting group since they were the people closest to Jesus. Thus, for them, it was not like their prophet or savior passed away, it was more like their best friend passed away. Thus, their response is not cerebral, is emotional. This explains their response over and over again.

In Luke 24:11 we see their disbelief when told that Jesus was still alive. Peter in verse 12 ran to the tomb to see if it were true. But in order to see this point even more we are going to see two more aspects.

The first is in John 20:24-28.

24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Jn 20:24–29). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

In this passage we see that Jesus had already appeared to some of the disciples. These disciples came to Thomas and told him the good news that Jesus is alive. But Thomas goes and says that he does not believe it, not until he sees and is able to touch Jesus. Can you imagine the grief and emotional instability knowing that your friend has passed away and then your other friends come by and tell you that He is alive.

Cognitive he knows who Jesus is, but emotionally he doesn’t think it can apply to him. Thus, he becomes the type of person that states God can heal, God can save, God can liberate anyone except me. God’s response to Thomas his emotional instability was to go to Thomas and tell him to have peace. Then Jesus confronts Thomas by telling him, Look at my scars and touch them, it’s me Thomas. Thomas reaction then is to believe. Jesus answer to his emotional instability was to show that He was there.

Lastly, John 21:15-19, shows us one last proof of how he handles this.

English Standard Version Chapter 21

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

Jesus response to Simon Peter was to sit him down and have breakfast with him. As soon as he was fed, Jesus goes to ask him a question. Jesus goes, hey, do you love me? Simon Peter response is to say Yes, I love you. Jesus then asks him again, Hey, do you love me? Simon Peter goes again, yes I do love you. Jesus then goes again and ask him the same question for a third time, Do you love me? He answers back you know everything and you know that I love you. In this moment, Jesus is asking him if he loves Him besides the circumstances, besides the situations, besides his emotions.

Jesus is asking him, like he asks all of us, do you love me? Do you love me? Do you love me besides what you’re feeling? Do you love me besides what you’re seeing? Jesus response to his emotional turmoil was not a statement of faith but a question of love.

As I conclude, we see these three groups. Maybe you are in the first group, believing and acting in faith like the women who went to visit the tomb. Or you’re in the second group, maybe you’ve been trying to find an out logically utilizing your own reasoning. Trying to rationalize your own way. Maybe you’re in the last group, knowing that emotionally you’re not ok. Life has hit you hard and the situations of life has dragged you down. It’s in those moments where God takes you and tells you, Hey, it’s ok, do you love me?