The Tomb is empty!
Perhaps you have had a loved one pass away recently. Maybe a tragic accident, heart attack, stroke, cancer or other incurable disease. If they were believers, then you have a hope of their resurrection, and that right now, as of this second, they are basking in the light of heaven!
Today’s blog will be especially meaningful for you. Because you see, if there is no resurrection, there is no Christianity. No Christian faith. Period.
Jesus crushed Satan under his foot by conquering death (see Gen. 3:15)
The Bible has a lot to say about being raised from the dead. Conquering death was Jesus’s biggest victory over Satan. His own resurrection from the dead after three days thrills all of us. It gives us incredible hope for the future, no matter how dismal it may look.
Recording of Jesus’s resurrection in the Bible– Jesus rises from the dead described in the four Gospels: Matthew 28:1-7, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-12, and John 20:1-9. Review one of these passages.
The Resurrection necessary to the Christian faith– 1 Corinthians 15:12-34 -speaks in more detail about the resurrection being key to the Christian faith. vs. 14, 17- The apostle Paul says that if Jesus Christ was not resurrected, then our faith is useless. vs. 19, 32– we should be pitied on this earth for all the physical suffering we do if we don’t have the hope of the resurrection. vs. 32- If there is no resurrection, I (Paul) might as well “eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die.” Paul says, “Come to your senses!”
Jesus raised Jarius’ daughter from death
Eight people raised from the dead in the Bible besides Jesus Christ– 1 Kings 17:22 Elijah raised a boy from the dead. 2 Kings 4:34-35 Elisha raised a boy from the dead. 2 Kings 13:20-21 Elisha’s bones raised a man from the dead. Luke 7:14-15 Jesus raised the son of a widow from Nain from the dead. Luke 8:52-56 Jesus raised Jarius’ daughter from the dead. John 11:38-44 Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead; he had been dead for four days. Acts 9:40-41 Peter raised a woman (Tabitha) from the dead. Acts 20:9-20 Paul raised a man (Eutychus) from the dead.
Jesus predicted his death and subsequent resurrection– Matthew 17:22-23 Jesus predicted his death and resurrection to the disciples. The disciples grieved because they still didn’t apparently understand his full purpose.
Jesus’s appearance after his resurrection give credence to the authenticity of this miracle:
Doubting Thomas. Do we all have some of Thomas in us?
Jesus’ eleven recorded appearances after his resurrection-Mary Magdalene- John 20:10-18 Peter in Jerusalem- Luke 24:34 The other women at the tomb- Matthew 28:8-10 The two travelers on the road- Mark 16:12-13 Ten disciples behind closed doors- John 20:19-25 All the disciples, with Thomas (excluding Judas Iscariot)- John 20:26-31 Seven disciples while fishing- John 21:1-14 Eleven disciples on the mountain- Matthew 28:16-20 A crowd of 500– 1 Corinthians 15:6 Jesus’ brother James- 1 Corinthians 15:7 Paul, the least of the apostles- 1 Corinthians 15:8 Those who watched Jesus ascend into heaven- Luke 24:44-49
Acts 1:3-4 Jesus, after the resurrection, was on earth for 40 days, many people saw him, giving proof that he was alive. This was no hallucination.
The next blog will be part two on the Resurrection.
Go here to check out the book “Principles for the Christian Life”
Principles for the Christian Life 