Luke

Christ Is Risen!

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Christ is Risen!

Luke 24:1-12

If someone is able to successfully dislodge the foundation stone of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the whole edifice of Christianity will come tumbling down. The apostle Paul said as much nearly 2,000 years ago in 1 Corinthians 15:17-19 “if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.”

Christian author Michael Green in his book, Man Alive, speaks to this issue: “Christianity does not hold the resurrection to be one among many tenets of belief. Without faith in the resurrection thee would be no Christianity at all. The Christian church would never have begun; the Jesus-movement would have fizzled out… with His execution. Christianity stands or falls with the truth of the resurrection. Once disprove it, and you have disposed of Christianity.”

Philip Schaff, the great church historian writes: “The resurrection of Christ is therefore emphatically a test question upon which depends the truth or falsehood of the Christian religion. It is either the greatest miracle or the greatest delusion which history records.” 

This morning we are going to examine Luke’s testimony of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Now,  over the centuries, many have sought to disprove the resurrection of Christ, and thus do away with the Christian faith. In seeking to try to disprove the resurrection, they have brought forth many different theories.  This morning we are going to look at some of their theories to see if they hold water or not. There is a discipline within Christianity called Apologetics. It is not what it sounds like! Apologetics is not someone apologizing for mistakes he has made. The discipline of Apologetics is where scholars give rational reasons for the faith. This morning I’m going to give you an Apologetics sermon. I’m going to give you reasons for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. I hope that by the end of this message, any doubt you may have about the resurrection will be completely dispelled.

So, this morning we are going to look at the Fact of the Empty Tomb, then the Skeptics Explanation of the Empty Tomb, and then the Divine Explanation of the Empty Tomb.

1. The Fact Of The Empty Tomb

Luke 24:1-3 says, “But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.”  The women, who had been present when Jesus’ body was laid in the tomb, were back on Sunday morning, but when they entered the tomb, there was no body.

Now, there is no serious question among scholars as to whether the tomb was empty. It had to have been. If the tomb were not empty, it is inconceivable that the apostles of Christ could make thousands of converts in Jerusalem by preaching Christ’s resurrection. All any of their hearers would have had to do was go to the tomb and see that the apostles were preaching a lie.

Also, if the tomb were not empty, why didn’t Jesus’ enemies simply go to the tomb and parade the body through the streets of Jerusalem in order to wipe out this explosive new movement? Instead, they interrogated, threatened, flogged, imprisoned, and killed Christians in order to silence them.

The Hallucination Theory.  Some have said that the tomb was not really empty. The body of Jesus was there all along, but when the disciples appeared at the tomb they hallucinated and thought they saw Christ risen, when in fact He was dead all along.

However, hallucinations require an anticipating spirit of hopeful expectancy which causes their wish to become the father of the thought. Paul Little, Assistant Professor of Evangelism at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School writes, “In order to have an experience like this, one must so intensely want to believe that he projects something that really isn’t there and attaches reality to his imagination.”  However, were the disciples anticipating Christ to raise from the dead? No, not at all! In Luke 18:33-34 Jesus told His disciples that He was going to die and rise again, but they didn’t understand any of those things, and the meaning of His statement was hidden from them, and they did not comprehend the things that were said. The disciples did not intensely want Jesus to rise. They didn’t believe He would rise. They had no expectancy that He would rise. Rather, they were forced to believe against their wills. Notice what happened when the women returned to the 11, and told them what the angel had told them. In Luke 24:11 it says, “But these words appeared to them as nonsense, and they would not believe them.”

Furthermore, hallucinations usually don’t occur to more than one person at the same time. Yet, 1 Corinthians 15:6 says that over 500 people saw the risen Christ at the same time!

Also, the gospels tell us that the disciples touched the risen Christ and watched while He ate a piece of fish in their presence (Jn.20:27; Luke 24:42-43). These are not the experiences of people having hallucinations.

British author, C. S. Lewis has written, “any theory of hallucination breaks down on the fact that on three separate occasions this hallucination was not immediately recognized as Jesus.”  He’s referring, of course, to the two disciples on Emmaus road, Mary Magdalene thinking Jesus was the gardener, and the disciples seeing Jesus on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.

I think the most damning evidence against the hallucination theory is that if that is what happened, the Jewish leaders could have produced the corpse for all to see, and bye bye hallucinations!

The Wrong Tomb Theory.  Others say that the tomb was not empty. They say that the body was there in the tomb all along, but that everyone went to the wrong tomb on Easter. They were all mistaken and went to a tomb where there was no body. Now, this one really stretches the limits of credibility! The body was laid in the tomb only about 36 hours before. Are we really to believe that all the women who were present when the body was laid in the tomb made the same mistake and went to the wrong tomb. Could none of them remember where the tomb was? In Mark 16:6 the angel said, “Here is the place where they laid Him.” Did the angel make a mistake too? Also, both Peter and John ran to the very same tomb (Jn. 20:3-8). Are we really to believe that all the women, the angel, Peter and John, all were mistaken as to the tomb’s location within 36 hours? And, even if they were, surely Joseph, the owner of the tomb, would have cleared up any mistake.

I think that there is more than enough evidence to prove that Jesus did really die, and that the location of the tomb was never in questions. Neither is there the slightest proof that the disciples had hallucinations.

Friends, the empty tomb is an undeniable fact. But how do we account for that fact?

2. The Skeptics’ Explanation of the Empty Tomb

The Swoon Theory. If the body of Jesus Christ was gone two days after it was laid in the tomb, then either it left by its own power, or someone else took it away. Those are our only two options. Well the Swoon Theory says that Jesus left of his own power, but not because He was raised from the dead. The swoon theory says that Jesus never actually died on the cross. Rather, they say, He fainted, but was later revived in the tomb, and walked out on His own.  Well, let’s examine this theory.

We have very strong evidence that Jesus had died. When the soldier thrust a spear into his side, there came out blood and water (Jn.19:32-34). This issue of blood and water is a very strong proof that Jesus had already died.  Not only that, but Pilate asked the Centurion to find out if Jesus was dead or not. This Centurion’s job was to execute criminals. It was his busy to know when someone had died. He pronounced Him dead. Further, Joseph and the women disciples were there when the body was laid in the tomb. If there was the slightest chance whether Jesus was still alive, they would never have laid Him in the tomb.

Not only that, but a man is not revived by wrapping him in 100 pounds of spices and then shutting him up in an airtight tomb (Jn.19:39-40).  The strong odor of spices in an airtight tomb would kill a sick person whose brain was already seized with an unyielding swoon.

Think about this with me. If Jesus were not already dead it would mean that He appeared radiant to His disciples after not having His wounds dressed nor eaten or drank for three days, then moved a stone three women felt incapable of moving, fought off the Roman guards single-handedly, walked 7 miles to Emmaus on pierced feet, living in hiding for forty days making only occasional appearances, and then lived out the rest of His life in complete solitude. The Swoon Theory is an unbelievable theory.

The Stolen Body Theory.  This theory says that the reason the tomb was empty is because it was stolen, not because Jesus had risen from the dead.  Well, let’s examine this theory. Who could have possibly stolen the body of Jesus?

The Roman Soldiers. This explanation makes no sense at all. Pilate had ordered the Roman soldiers to guard the tomb to make sure that no one took the body of Jesus (Mt.27:62-66).  These soldiers had even placed a seal on the stone rolled in front of the tomb. Now, if anyone broke that seal they would have to face the wrath of the Roman government. The Romans had no motive for taking the body. By taking the body, they would be stirring up a hornet’s nest with both the Jewish leaders and the Disciples, and they simply wanted peace.

The Jewish Leaders. Some have proposed that the Jewish leaders stole the body. However, they had no motivation to steal the body. They are the ones that went to Pilate to secure a guard to watch the tomb in order to prevent anyone from stealing the body and thus being able to say that Christ had been raised from the dead. If the Jews stole the body, it would only have given the Christians a resurrection story – the very thing they were anxious not to allow to happen. The Jewish leaders didn’t want Christ’s body to disappear under any circumstances. Further, if they did steal the body, when the Christians began to proclaim the resurrection, they could easily have wheeled the body through the streets of Jerusalem in order to confound their claims and crush the new Christian “sect.”

The Christians. Others have proposed the idea that the Christians stole the body. However, this idea is even less convincing than the idea that the Jewish leaders stole the body. First, the disciples were never arrested for the crime. This is an inexplicable fact unless the Jewish leaders knew they were not guilty.  Further, why would Peter and John run to the tomb to see if Jesus had risen if they had already stolen His body (Jn.20:3-8)?  Also, in John 20:19 we read that the disciples were timid and fearful. Is it reasonable to suppose that these timid disciples would attempt to overtake a disciplined and deadly Roman guard, or that the guards would all fall asleep. The penalty to a Roman soldier for sleeping on his guard was death, and even if they did go to sleep, the noise of the stone being pushed out of place would surely have awakened them. Additionally, even if the disciples of Jesus had found all of the soldiers sleeping, and removed the stone without waking them, it is highly unlikely that they would have taken the time to remove the wrappings from the body and restore them to their original shape (Jn. 20:6-7).  They would probably not remove the wrappings at all, and if they did, they would just have flung them on the ground in disorder and fled. Further, the Christians had no motive for stealing the body. If Jesus had not risen, His dead body would profit them nothing. In fact, they would be spreading a horrible lie after dedicating their lives to their Master who had taught them to be truthful in all things. Finally, there is the inescapable fact that ten of the eleven apostles of Christ went on to die for their testimony to Christ and His resurrection. There can be little doubt that though men may die for what they believe to be true, they will not die for what they know to be false. Deceivers and martyrs are not made of the same stuff. The Stolen Body Theory crumbles under close scrutiny.

3. The Divine Explanation of the Empty Tomb

The Testimony of the Angels.  Luke 24:4-6 says, “While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in dazzling clothing; and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen.”  Here the women find two men in dazzling clothes. If there is any doubt as to who these two men are, verse 23 dispels all doubt when Cleopas told the Lord that the women had seen a vision of angels who said that He was alive.  Now, I think we can safely assume that these angels, as messengers of God, brought God’s message to the women that day. They spoke on behalf of God. And what was God’s explanation for the empty tomb? Jesus has risen. He is the living One. Why are you seeking the living One among the dead. He’s not here.

The Predictions of Jesus. Let’s keep reading in verse 6-7, “Remember how He spoke to you while He was s till in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.” The angels are reminding the women of what Jesus had predicted. Jesus, over and over during the last six months of His life, predicted that He was going to suffer at the hands of the religious leaders, be crucified, and then rise again on the third day. Now, His disciples did not understand what He was talking about. They could never get it through their thick skulls, but Jesus had explained to them over and over that He was going to rise from the dead. After the fact, they remembered what He had said, and they finally got it.

So, the divine explanation, both through the message of the angels, and the predictions of Jesus, was that the tomb would be empty, because Jesus would rise from the dead, and leave the tomb of His own power.

Although the divine explanation is of the supernatural variety, when you consider all the other options that have been considered, it seems to me to be the most reasonable and rational of all by far!

On top of the word of the angels, and the predictions of Jesus, we could bring forth all of the eye-witnesses who saw Jesus risen and testified of it:

1. Mary Magdalene (Jn.20:14)
2. The Women returning from the tomb (Mt.28:9-10)
3. Peter (Lk.24:34)
4. The Disciples on Road to Emmaus (Lk.24:13-33)
5. The 11 with Thomas absent (Lk.24:36-43)
6. The 11 with Thomas present (Jn.20:26-29)
7. The 7 by the Lake of Galilee: (Jn.21:1-23)
8. 500 Believers (1Cor.15:6)
9. James (1Cor.15:7)
10. The 11 when Christ gave Great Commission (Mt.28:16-20)
11. Those Present at His Ascension (Acts 1:3-12)

Conclusion

So, why does this all matter? Why is it so important that Jesus rose from the dead?  Well, let me ask you some other questions?

• How do we know that the Bible is the very Word of God?
• Why do we believe all men are sinful and separated from God?
• Why do we believe that all who die outside of Christ will be cast into hell?
• Who is Jesus?
• How can a sinful person be reconciled to God?
• Why did Jesus come into the world?
• What must a person do to be saved?

These are very important questions that we need to get answers for.  My starting point at getting answers for all of these questions is the Resurrection of Christ! Why? Because the gospels over and over tell us that Jesus predicted He would suffer, be crucified and then rise again on the third day. Now, that is not something that any mere man can predict. If that happened, exactly the way Jesus predicted it would be, that tells me that He is who He claimed to be, and knows the answers to all of those other questions we have. The resurrection of Christ is true, it should convince us that if we can believe Jesus when He says the most unbelievable thing imaginable, surely we can believe Him when He speaks on other issues.

So, if Jesus rose from the dead, that means:

• Christianity is the only true religion. No other religion of the world has a founder who predicted He would rise from the dead, and then actually did it. Buddha, Mohammad, Confuscious, Joseph Smith, and all others are all still in the grave. Jesus is the only one who was raised from the dead.
• He is who He claimed to be. Jesus told the Samaritan woman He was the Messiah (Jn.4:26). He told the Jews “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I Am” (Jn.8:58). Jesus took upon Himself the title of Jehovah God. When the Jewish religious leaders asked Jesus if He was the Son of God, He replied, “Yes, I am” (Lk.22:70).  If the resurrection of Christ is true, that means that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and God in the flesh!
• All men are sinful. Jesus said in Mt. 7:11, “If you then being evil…” In Mark 10:18 He said, “No one is good except God alone.”
• He is the only way to God. Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”
• All those who do not believe in Jesus will perish in Hell. Jesus said in John 3:36, “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”  Jesus also said in Mt. 25:41,46, “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels… These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
• He was sent by the Father into the world to die to save sinners. Jesus taught in Mt. 20:28, “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” In Mt. 26:28 He said, “for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.” And in Luke 19:10 He said, “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
• We must repent and believe in order to be saved. Jesus said in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”  He said in John 6:47, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.”  He said in Luke 13:3, “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” He taught in Luke 24:46-47, “Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.”

I hope you see this morning that whether Jesus was raised from the dead has massive implications! If He was raised from the dead, it means that He is God in human flesh, all men are sinful, He is the only way to God, all those who don’t believe in Him will perish in hell, that He was sent by the Father to save sinners, and that all men must repent and believe in order to be saved.

My friend, if you believe that Jesus rose from the dead, you should have no problem believing all those other things HE taught. Let the truth of His resurrection dispel all doubt as to these crucial and fundamental truths of the Christian faith. If anyone tries to shake your faith in any of those truths, go back to the resurrection. If you can establish that as truth in your mind, there is no reason to doubt any other thing Jesus ever taught.

My friend, if you are not saved, I urge you to consider the claims of Scripture that Jesus is risen from the dead. Realize that He is God in the flesh. See your guilt and helpless condition. See Him as your only and all-sufficient Savior. Understand that He died to take your place, and pay the penalty of your sins. And then flee to Him in repentance and faith. If you turn away from your sinful life, and flee to Jesus, you will be saved!

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