Lesson for March 31, 2024
The True Easter Story
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ
The resurrection of Jesus Christ coincided with the Jewish Feast of the First Fruits, where a portion of the harvest was gathered first and given to the priest for the blessing of the entire harvest. This feast pointed to the resurrection of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, and was celebrated three days after the Passover.
The Passover represented the Cross and the feast of Unleavened Bread, represented the sinless nature of Jesus Christ. Paul writes about “the first fruits” in I Corinthians 15:20-25. Jesus spoke of this when He described Himself as the grain of wheat that fell to the ground and died that it might spring to life and bring forth much fruit. (John 12:23-24) However, the rest of the harvest (the Church) is still in place waiting to be “harvested.”
Let’s look at the Resurrection historically, doctrinally, and practically.
- Prophecy
- Job 19:25-26 (1520 B.C.)
- Psalms 16:9-10 (1000 B.C)
- John 2:19-22 (26 A.D.)
- Participation by the Trinity
- The Father – Romans 6:4; Ephesians 1:19-20; Colossians 2:12; I Thessalonians 1:10
- The Son – John 10:10-18
- The Holy Spirit – I Peter 3:18
- The Order of Events
- The earthquake as the angel rolled away the stone – Matthew 28:1-2
- Three women came to the tomb – Mark 16:1
- Mary Magdalene
- Mary, mother of James
- Salome
- Mary Magdalene left to find the disciples – John 20:1-2
- Mary and Salome saw the angel – Mark 16:5-6
- Mary Magdalene found Peter and John and they returned to the tomb – John 20:2
- Peter marveled at what he had seen – Luke 24:12
- John believed Jesus had risen – John 20:8
- Mary Magdalene did not recognize Jesus Christ – John 20:11-18
- Post-resurrection Appearances of Jesus Christ
- Pre-ascension
- Mary Magalene – John 20:14-17
- Other women – Matthew 28:9-10
- Peter – I Corinthians 15:5; Luke 24:34
- Two believers on the road to Emmaus – Luke 24:13-33; John 19:25
- Ten disciples (minus Thomas) – John 20:19-25
- Eleven disciples (with Thomas) – John 20:26-29
- Seven of the disciples by the Sea of Galilee (Tiberias) – John 21:1-23
- 500 or more believers – I Corinthians 15:6
- James, the half-brother of Jesus who was an unbeliever until the Resurrection – Galatians 1:19; I Corinthians 15:7
- Eleven disciples on the mount near Galilee – Matthew 28:16-20
- An unnumbered group of believers at the ascension – Luke 24:50-51; Acts 1:9-11
- Post-ascension
- Stephen- Acts 7:55-56
- Paul on the road to Damascus – Acts 9:1-8, 22:6-11, 26:13-18; I Corinthians 15:8
- Paul in Arabia – Galatians 1:1-17
- Paul on several occasions – Acts 18:9-10, 22:17-21, 23:11; I Corinthians 9:1
- John on the Isle of Patmos – Revelation1:12-20
- Pre-ascension
- Christ’s Resurrection Body
- He retained the nail prints – Zechariah 12:10 with John 20:25-27
- He retained the scar of the wound in His side – John 20:25-27
- He was recognizable as a human body – Luke 24; John 20:26-29
- His body could be touched – Luke 24:39-40
- He breathed – John 20:26
- He carried on conversations – Luke 24; John 20:26
- His voice was recognizable – John 20:16
- His body had flesh and bones – Luke 24:39-40
- He ate – Luke 24:30, 43
- His bodily structure was different – John 20:19,26; Luke 24:36
- He could appear and disappear – Luke 24:17
- He could move vertically and horizontally – Matthew 28:10; Acts 1:9-10
- Facts Regarding the Resurrection of Jesus Christ
- His humanity was resurrected because it was His humanity that died – Luke 24:39
- Evidenced by an empty tomb, which was witnessed by friends, family, and followers – Matthew 28
- Religious leaders attempted to suppress information regarding the resurrection – Matthew 27:62-66
- Jesus Christ is the only Person in history to be resurrected (some were resuscitated – arose and later died)
- Because of His resurrection, believers will also be resurrected – II Corinthians 4:14; Philippians 3:21; I John 3:1-2
- Doctrinal Significance and Application of the Resurrection
- Indicates the completion of justification – Romans 4:25
- Jesus Christ becomes our Mediator, equal with God and equal with man- Hebrews 9:15; I Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 7:25
- Sets up our priesthood and Jesus Christ becomes our High Priest -Hebrews 10:5,10-14, 7:28; I Peter 2:5-9
- Fulfills the Davidic Covenant – Psalms 89:20-37; II Samuel 7:8-16
- Without the Resurrection, Christ could not be glorified, and the Holy Spirit could not have been given – John 7:39
- Christ’s resurrection is the guarantee of ultimate sanctification – I Corinthians 15:20-23; I John 3:1-2; Philippians 3:21
- The doctrine of the Resurrection gives believers hope in this life – I Corinthians 15:19