Resurrection

Introduction

Aliens exist. There is credible evidence that UFOs have been to earth. There are numerous individuals who speak of their being abducted by aliens and who have lived to tell about their experiences. Everyone knows that Area 51 is legitimate and that there are underground laboratories doing extensive work on alien creatures trying to unlock some of the mysteries of the universe. Do you believe these things to be true? Books have been written. Documentaries have been done. Would it surprise you that a 2008 survey demonstrated that almost 60% of Americans believed that aliens existed? Part of the acceptance of alien life revolves around the idea that the universe is so large it would be arrogant to think we are the only life within it.

If someone came and told you that they had seen an alien would you believe them? There are just some things that are difficult to believe. The same can be said about the resurrection of Jesus. Some things are difficult to believe. I am not comparing aliens to the resurrection, but there are things that defy logic and reason. So let’s make sure as we begin thinking about the resurrection that we put some things into perspective.

The resurrection is the pinnacle of God’s plan. It is the resurrection which verifies the claims of Jesus. It is the resurrection that proves that there is something beyond this life. It is the resurrection which allows us to walk through this life pursuing the will of God rather than our own will. If the resurrection did not occur then we are fools. If the resurrection did not occur then we are wasting our time and lives. But if the resurrection did occur and if it reveals Jesus’ place as the Son of God, then that one event is sufficient to convince us to walk with God.

The Text

Luke’s description of the resurrection is straightforward. Women arrive at the tomb with the intent to anoint the body of Jesus with additional spices and herbs. This was common practice. John’s account tells us that about 75 pounds of spices—the amount typically used for royalty—had already been used. The women come to the tomb. The stone has already been pulled away from the entrance to the tomb. And looking inside, Jesus’ body is gone. Two angels appear to these women. They are rebuked for not having paid closer attention to Jesus’ words. They didn’t listen when Jesus told them to listen. Upon hearing the words again, they remembered.

They meet up with the 11 remaining disciples. They recount the story. Verse 11 is very clear: the disciples do not believe their story. In fact, Luke uses a word that is found only here in the NT—“nonsense.” It is a medical term which fits Luke’s occupation. It means someone who is delirious because of illness. It wasn’t just nonsense; the disciples believed the women were out of their minds. They were delusional. And why not? They had seen what happened. They had watched Jesus die. They had seen their dreams die with the one on the cross.

Luke tells us that Peter gets up and runs to the tomb to check things out for himself. Peter is the doubting Thomas before Thomas becomes the doubter. We could use all kinds of words to describe what is happening: uncertain, lost, unconvinced, surreal. What do you say about the resurrection?

Evidence

There are those who want to ignore the resurrection. Jesus was a good teacher and good man. He might even be divine, but the resurrection—we can learn much from the man Jesus without having to believe the resurrection. That would be very similar to paying attention to the teachings of Buddha or Confucius or some other world religion. But once the resurrection is brought into the discussion, the tenor of that discussion must change.

There are those who say the resurrection never happened. It is a made-up story to give a reason for the disciples to keep on teaching about Jesus. There are several reasons why this is illogical.

First, if Jesus had not been raised from the dead, the Jewish leaders would have been among the first to produce a body. Within 50 days, Jerusalem is going to be ablaze with claims of the resurrection. The movement called The Way could easily be shut down with proof of a dead Jesus.

Second, some suggest that Jesus didn’t really die—he just went into a coma and was revived in the coolness of the tomb. This presupposes that Roman soldiers who were highly trained to kill didn’t know the difference when they pronounced Jesus dead. It also presupposes that the Roman soldiers didn’t really know how to crucify Jesus to bring about the desired results. Further, it shows no appreciation for the process of crucifixion.

Third, and perhaps most convincing, if the resurrection had not taken place, can you explain why thousands died to promote a lie? Can you explain why 50 days after the fact, the disciples faced death and counted it as joy to be able to suffer for the resurrected one? We can understand why some would deny the resurrection to preserve their life and the life of family, but to die for a lie—for what reason? Not for wealth. Hardly. Not for fame. Not in the least. Not for prestige. Nothing prestigious about being killed and having others killed. Not for honor. Some have died for something greater than themselves, but the claim for Jesus was that he was seated at the right hand of God. Nothing greater.

The evidence includes an empty tomb. And as we will see, Jesus’ appearance to hundreds afterwards. We are left with Peter wondering what had happened. And Luke invites us to join Peter. What happened? Jesus died. We know that. He was buried. Too many saw the tomb and, as other gospel accounts tell us, even Roman guards protected the tomb. The tomb is empty. What happened?

The Jesus who died and was buried has been raised from the dead. The lives of people who knew him and followed him were never the same. They did not become sinless, but they became blameless. They did not become superhuman, but they became teachers. Life was lived in light of what they had seen. The end had a new beginning. They began to speak boldly and courageously. The resurrection was the final demonstration that Jesus was God’s representative and that now he was sitting on God’s right hand waiting for his disciples to join him. What do you believe?

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