Tag: Resurrection

The Resurrection Conspiracy – Matthew 28:11-15

1 Corinthains 15

The Resurrection Conspiracy

Matthew 28:11-15

Last Sunday, we gathered here to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and to worship Him. And again today and every Sunday, we gather for the same reason, because nothing is more important to our faith than the fact that Jesus was raised on the third day as He said.

In Matthew 28:1-10, we saw the women go early on the first day of the week to the tomb where Jesus had been laid. At that moment, an angel, bright as lightning, appeared causing a great earthquake and rolling the stone from the entrance of the tomb. Witnessing all this, the guards at the tomb were terrified, becoming like dead men. But the angel calms the women, saying, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” (Matt. 28:5-6).

The angel then commissioned the women to “go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead,” telling them that Jesus would be “going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him.” (Matt. 28:7). As they made their way to tell the disciples, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So, they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. (Matt. 28:9). Jesus also told them to “Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me,” (Matt. 28:10).

As I said last time, Christ’s resurrection gives us every reason to rejoice, to worship Him as Lord, and to tell others about Him. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ changes, comforts, empowers, and motivates us.

Unfortunately, not everyone views the resurrection of Jesus in this way. More →

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Rejoice! Christ Is Risen! – Matthew 28:1-10

Psalm 130:5

Rejoice! Christ Is Risen!

Matthew 28:1-10

Happy Resurrection Sunday! Although we set aside this Sunday of the year to especially remember Christ’s resurrection, truly every Sunday as we gather for worship on the first day of the week, we do so because we are celebrating the fact that our Lord Jesus Christ rose from the dead.

If you have been with us in our verse-by-verse exposition of the Gospel of Matthew, you have seen that Jesus’ death on the cross is the climax of the Gospel narrative. From the very beginning and all the way through, Matthew has been pointing to the cross. Jesus resolutely and willingly went to the cross where He suffered and died. There, Jesus Christ gave His life a ransom for many. There, Jesus Christ was forsaken as He bore the wrath of God against the sins of mankind. There, Jesus was the Messiah-King who saves His people from their sins.

If the cross is the climax of the Gospel, the resurrection is the vindication, triumph, and final authentication of the Gospel. “The resurrection is God’s judicial declaration that the work of the cross is complete: sin has been condemned, its penalty has been paid, and death has no further claim.”[1]

A few years ago, a certain church marketing newsletter called the Churches’ Advertising Network promoted a campaign to help churches attract people during the Easter season. They suggested that churches remove the cross from prominence in their promotions and celebrations. A survey had revealed that the cross is one of those symbols that the new generation of church prospects considered too “churchy ” One pastor interviewed for the campaign gave his whole hearted endorsement, “We are going to attempt to concentrate on the resurrection, and not the death of Jesus.”[2]

Can you imagine Easter without the cross? Is it possible to have Christ’s resurrection without His crucifixion? No. It distorts the entire gospel if crucifixion is separated from resurrection. The road to the empty tomb will forever pass by a cross. The One who was raised from the dead is none other than the crucified Christ. Easter without a cross is a hoax.

Easter is GOOD NEWS because of the cross. Paul gives a summary of the gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ are the essential events of the gospel message. The death of Christ without the resurrection would have been powerless. The resurrection without Christ’s atoning death would have been pointless. The resurrection is the triumph of the cross.

The Apostles and the early church constantly preached the resurrection—for no one who denies the resurrection can truly be a Christian. In fact, the very first sermon of the church, on the day of Pentecost, was centered on the resurrection. Peter preached about Christ’s death and resurrection in Acts 2, saying,

“This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.” (Acts 2:23-24).

John, the last of the living Apostles while exiled on Patmos saw the risen Lord Jesus who said to him, “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death” (Rev.1:18).

Because Jesus Christ is risen from the dead, we have the greatest reason to rejoice. According to Matthew, that’s the first word our Lord spoke to the women who first met the risen Lord on that Sunday. Matthew 28:8 says that after the women heard the message of the resurrection the angel, “they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.” But Matthew 28:9 says that as they were going, “behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him.” “Rejoice!” is the appropriate response from those who believe in Christ. The word itself in the original Greek language is a common greeting, but the root behind this greeting is joy. It’s the same word Paul uses in 1 Thessalonians 5:16 to command the church, “Rejoice always!”

The grieving women that Sunday morning had not intended to go to the tomb to see the resurrected Christ. They came to grieve at the tomb of their crucified Lord and complete the burial anointing that was done so hastily on Friday evening (Mark 16:1). desperately needed to hear “Rejoice!” And perhaps some of us desperately need to hear that today. Maybe you are grieving a great loss. Are the burdens of life pressing in on you? Are you running on empty? Are there real troubles looming down the road?

The message to you this Easter is the same as it was for the women “Rejoice!” Jesus says, “Rejoice!” to everyone of His broken, hurting, wounded, grieving, lonely, frustrated loved ones who are in this room this morning. His resurrection gives us real, substantial, enduring reasons for joy!

1. Rejoice at the Day of the Resurrection (Matt. 28:1).

Look at Matthew 28:1, “Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.” The day of the resurrection would not have been an incidental thing to the Jewish person who read Matthew’s Gospel.

Remember that our Lord was crucified during the Passover feast. He is the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29). “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace,” (Ephesians 1:7). He was buried on Friday at evening before the Sabbath began. Matthew emphasizes that the women came to see the tomb “after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn.” The first day of the week after the Passover Sabbath was another important day on the Jewish calendar. In Leviticus 23, the Lord prescribed that the day after the Passover Sabbath would be the Feast of Firstfruits (Lev. 23:11). God instructed the Jews to bring an offering of new grain, the firstfruits of their harvest as a promise of the full harvest to come.

Why is this feast day of firstfruits significant? Because as Paul writes in his great resurrection chapter, 1 Corinthians 15,

20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. (1 Cor. 15:20-23).

Resurrection day is a great reason to rejoice, because on that day, Jesus was raised from the dead as the firstfruits of those who “have fallen asleep” in Him. That is how the Bible describes those who have died in Christ, because sleep is only temporary until you awake in the morning. And that morning will certainly come, because just as Jesus rose again on the third day, we who are in Him will also rise from the dead when Christ returns.

Jesus has conquered death. He has taken the sting out of it. This is a great reason to rejoice!

2. Rejoice at the Power of the Resurrection (Matthew 28:2-4)

Matthew tells us, “And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.” (Matt. 28:2-4).

When this little group of grieving women arrived at the tomb, nothing was as they expected it to be. They expected to find a tranquil cemetery. Instead, they experienced a great earthquake, much like the one that occurred at Jesus’ death. They found an angel of the Lord sitting on the stone which he had rolled back from the door of the tomb. His appearance was so petrifying, the Roman guards trembled in fear and passed out on the ground near the tomb.

Jesus’ resurrection from the dead was accompanied by these powerful events. The resurrection itself had already happened. Jesus was already alive. His body was no longer in the tomb. The angel did not roll away the stone to let Jesus out, he rolled away the stone so that the witnesses could look in.

The angel took care of the two major problems that the women might have had when they came Sunday morning to finish anointing Jesus’ body for burial. In Mark 16 the women had said among themselves,  “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” (Mark 16:3). They had seen Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus roll that huge stone over the entrance on Friday evening. The women knew they were not strong enough to remove the stone by themselves. But by the power of the Lord’s angel, the stone was already rolled away!

The other problem that might have kept them from the tomb was the Roman soldiers who were guarding it. They had strict orders not to let anyone move the stone and enter the tomb. But, when the angel showed up, this hardened Roman troops fainted and fell to the ground as if they were dead man. Later, in Matthew 28:11-15, some of the guards will go back and report what happened to the chief priests, who rather than going to verify the truth for themselves, will pay the guards to tell the lie that Jesus’ disciples stole the body—the very thing they were stationed there to prevent!

For many people, the resurrection of Christ is merely an ancient conspiracy theory. In the face of insurmountable evidence, they absolutely refuse to believe that truth of the gospel that Jesus died, was buried and rose from the grave.

The cowardly unbelief of the guards and chief priests reminds me of a BC comic strip from a number of years ago. Johnny Hart would often highlight Christian themes in his comics. In this particular Sunday comic strip, a caveman is on his knees praying and he says “It’s not easy to believe in you, God. We never see you. How come you never show yourself?”

In the next frame, he asks: “How do we know you exist?” Just then, a volcano blows up in the background, a daisy sprouts from the ground toppling a rock, a wave washes over him, and two meteors converge in the sky to form the image of a cross.

Finally, the drenched caveman stands up and says: “Okay, Okay…I give up!” And as he walks by a burning bush and an empty tomb, he mutters, “Every time I bring up this subject all we get is interruptions.”

Listen, the evidence for the resurrection of Christ is powerful and overwhelming. And in these powerful events we have another reason to rejoice. The resurrection demonstrates the power of God over the schemes of men. Nothing could keep Christ from rising, and nothing could keep the good news of His resurrection from spreading.

3. Rejoice at the Message of the Resurrection (Matt. 28:5-8).

In Matthew 28:5 the angel begins to speak to the women, “5 Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

First, the angel aimed to calm their fears, saying “Do not be afraid.” The reason he gives for them to lay aside their fears is that the One they have come to see, Jesus who was crucified, is not in the tomb. He is risen. The angel reminds them of Jesus’ promise, “as He said.” The empty tomb confirms the word of Jesus. He can be trusted. We can believe in Him. Every word of Christ is true. The two great pillars of the gospel message are that Jesus died for our sins “according to Scriptures”, and that He rose again the third day “according to Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-5). Every word that God promised in the Scriptures concerning His Son’s ministry on earth has been fulfilled—“as He said.” When Jesus was betrayed, and arrested, and tried, and beaten, and eventually crucified, none of it was an accident. It was all a part of God’s redemptive plan for our salvation—which He announced in advanced, and then fulfilled!

Then, the angel points them to the evidence of the empty tomb, “Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” The women had seen Jesus placed into the tomb (Matt. 27:61) and so they knew where His body was set. But, alas, it wasn’t there! I suspect that they saw the same thing that Peter saw when he came running into the tomb. John records that Peter “… saw the linen cloths lying there, and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself,” (John 20:6-7). The significance of these wrappings demonstrate that nobody came to take the body away. If the disciples or some grave robbers stole His body, do you really think they would have left linen wrappings? No. In fact, it looked like Jesus made His bed when He got up.

Having assured that they women witnessed the empty tomb, he then commanded them, “And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”

And here is our reason to rejoice. We have a glorious message to tell. Look at the imperatives that the angel commanded the women: “Do not be afraid! . . . Come! . . . See! . . . Go! . . . Tell!” Listen, we have great news to bring to a world of lost and fearful people. The Son of God has come, has died on the cross for us, and is alive! He can change the life of anyone who trusts Him! What a reason we have to “Rejoice!”

Psalm 30 is a great testimony of when Lord delivered David from the depths of despair. Psalm 30:11 says, “You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness.” Certainly these women had the same testimony. Matthew 28:8 says, “So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.” Even though they were still in “fear” their fear was overshadowed by a sensation of “great joy” as the significance of what they had witnessed began to become clear in their minds. Their “joy” was so great they “ran to bring His disciples word.”

Only one thing could have turned their despair and fear into joy. They felt the earthquake, heard the angel, saw the empty tomb, and believed the good news. But what happens next is even better. And here is our final reason to rejoice:

4. Rejoice in Worshipping the Risen Christ (Matt. 28:9-10).

Now we come to the most amazing and wonderful event that these women experienced. As they ran to tell the disciples the good news, Jesus Himself met them! “And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him.” (Matt. 28:9).

Again, notice how Jesus greeted them; He said, “Rejoice.” Their response was instant and instinctive. It was a response of joy and worship. They fell on their knees and “held Him by the feet and worshipped Him.” Right there on the road, a worship service broke out. They had felt the earthquake, seen the angel, and examined the empty tomb, but seeing Jesus brought it all together. The confusion was gone. They saw Him die on the cross. They witnessed His burial. Now they saw their resurrected Lord with their own eyes! Tears of inexpressible joy fell on His nail-pierced feet! It was almost as if they were saying in their actions that now that they were with the resurrected Lord, they didn’t ever want to be separated from Him again.

I believe anyone who has been born again has experienced that same “joy.” Do you know the joy of meeting the living Lord? Do you remember how sweet it is to know that your sins are forgiven? Does your heart still ring with joy and worship?

O what a wonderful, wonderful day
Day I will never forget
After I’d wandered in darkness away
Jesus my Saviour I met
O what a tender, compassionate friend
He met the need of my heart
Shadows dispelling, with joy I am telling
He made all the darkness depart

Heaven came down and glory filled my soul (filled my soul)
When at the cross my Saviour made me whole (made me whole)
My sins were washed away
And my night was turned to day
Heaven came down and glory filled my soul[3]

Worship is the natural a response to meeting the risen Lord. Fall at His feet today in joyful worship. The worship of Jesus marks all genuine believers in Christ. 

Finally, look at what Jesus said to the women, “Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.”” (Matt. 28:10). Jesus repeated the angel’s instruction to not be afraid but to go to the disciples and tell them to “go to Galilee” where He would meet with them.

Our response to the news that Christ is risen is the same today. We should be filled with joy that Jesus is alive; we should fall at His feet in worship; we should go forth and tell others the good news of Christ. The facts are the same now as then. Jesus is still alive. He is Lord. And He saves all who come repenting and believing in His death for our sins and resurrection. Is that your story?

The gospel is good news.  And it is not too hard to believe. The question today is not CAN you believe in Jesus—YOU CAN. To believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died for your sins and was raised on the third day is makes more sense than anything else we could say about Him. It is the grace of God that makes saving faith available.

The real question then is not CAN you believe? But WILL you believe?  Will you take the free gift of salvation? Will you repent and belief in Christ? Will you fall and worship at His feet? There is no greater joy!

 

[1] Danson Ottawa, The Resurrection as the Interpretive Center of Christianity, https://dansonottawa.substack.com/p/the-resurrection-as-the-interpretive.

[2] The Guardian, A sign from God, 26 July 1999,  https://www.theguardian.com/media/1999/jul/26/mondaymediasection.religion?CMP=share_btn_url.

[3] John W. Peterson, Heaven Came Down, Copyright 1969 by John W. Peterson Music Company. Baptist Hymnal 2008, #573.

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The Question of Resurrection — Matthew 22:23-33

matthew-the-kingdom-of-heaven

The Question of Resurrection

Matthew 22:23-33

We gather each week at this time to read, exposit, and apply the scriptures. We do so because we believe what the Apostle Paul says, that “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). We believe that the Bible is the very word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and is completely authoritative and sufficient. Today, in our study of Matthew 22, we meet a group of men who claim to know God, but who do not understand or believe the scriptures.

Remember our context: Jesus was teaching the people in the temple (Matt. 21:23) just a couple days before the crucifixion. The religious leaders in Jerusalem opposed Jesus at every turn. They questioned His authority (Matt. 21:23-27). They refused to believe in Jesus (Matt. 21:32) and sought to lay hands on Him (Matt. 21:26) and destroy Him (Matt. 12:14).  

So, they plotted to entangle Jesus in His words (Matt. 22:15) by asking Him some perplexing questions designed to trip Him up, discredit Him in front of the people, or indict Him before the Roman authorities. And each time, He their questions with such wisdom and authority that His opponents were silenced. First, the Pharisees sent their disciples and some Herodians to ask a political question about paying taxes to Caesar. This morning, we see another group, the Sadducees, who ask Jesus a theoretical question about the resurrection. And like the Pharisees, these men were not seeking the truth. They were unrepentant and settled in their unbelief.

As believers, living in the midst of a fallen world, unbelieving people may confront us with perplexing questions too. Sometimes, the questions come from those who have a genuine desire to know the answers. The lawyer’s question about the greatest commandment that we’ll be studying next time may fit this category (Matt. 22:34-40). But often, they come someone who has already made up his or her mind to ‘disbelieve’ before they ask the question. In those cases, the questions are just an attempt to make faith in Jesus Christ look absurd.

That’s the nature of the Sadducees question about the resurrection of the dead. In answering, Jesus not only teaches the truth about the resurrection, He also gives us an example of how to answer their suborn unbelief. He teaches us how to faithfully affirm the word and power of God when faced with the scoffing questions of unbelief. Our text has two main parts, the Sadducees riddle and Jesus’ answer, followed by Matthew’s account of the people’s response.

First, let’s look at . . .

1. The Resurrection Riddle (Matt. 22:23-28).

Matthew 22:23 says, “The same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Him and asked Him…” Having just dispensed with the trick question of the Pharisees, Jesus had barely caught His breath when a group of Sadducees showed up with their own trick question. 

A. The Questioners: Sadducees (Matt. 22:23).

Who were the Sadducees? In the days that Jesus walked on the earth, there were three or four basic religious “parties” among the Jewish people. Only two of them figure prominently in the New Testament. The first, the Pharisees, we have encountered already a number of times the gospel of in Matthew. They were careful students of the law of Moses, and they sought to expand upon that law through their traditions, rules, and regulations in order to protect themselves from breaking God’s law. Their name suggests the idea of “separation” from the common people they considered sinners. For the most part, they were popular among the people because of their outward show of righteousness. They opposed Jesus because He exposed their hypocrisy and unbelief.

The second group were the Sadducees. They were generally wealthy, and their influence was mostly among the upper classes of society. They High Priest and all the chief priests in Jerusalem were Sadducees. At the time of Jesus, they held the Jewish political power. Their name likely comes from a Hebrew word that means “the righteous”. They rejected the oral traditions that the Pharisees insisted on and believed that the only authoritative scripture was the first five books of the Old Testament, written by Moses.

Because of this, the Sadducees denied angels, spirits, and the afterlife (Acts 2:38). They denied that the dead would be raised unto eternal punishment or eternal rewards. They didn’t believe Moses taught those things. Therefore, the promises of “rewards” from God only concerned life on this earth. Their view of life was, for the most part, materialistic.

As you can imagine, the Pharisees and the Sadducees didn’t get along with each other. They constantly debated and jockeyed for power in the Sanhedrin. But they had this in common with the Pharisees: they also opposed Jesus and saw Him as a threat to their religious and political power. So, when these Sadducees watched and saw that the Pharisees failed to trap the Lord, they stepped in to try to trap the Lord.

Let’s look at . . .

B. The Question: Resurrection (Matt. 22:24-28)

They came to Him with a courteous greeting—calling Him “Teacher“; but they had hatred in their hearts against Him. They said, “Moses said that if a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up offspring for his brother” (Matt. 22:24).

The setting for their riddle comes from a law found in Deuteronomy. It was often called “the levirite law”—taken from the Latin word for ‘brother-in-law’ (levir). The Sadducees believed in this law, because it was found in the Scriptures given through Moses. Deuteronomy 25:5-6 says,

“If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies and has no son, the widow of the dead man shall not be married to a stranger outside the family; her husband’s brother shall go in to her, take her as his wife, and perform the duty of a husband’s brother to her. And it shall be that the firstborn son which she bears will succeed to the name of his dead brother, that his name may not be blotted out of Israel” (Deuteronomy 25:5-6).

To the Jewish people, it would be a great tragedy for a man to die without any offspring to carry on his name and preserve his inheritance of land. So, God gave this law to provide for the widow who remained, and to perpetuate the dead man’s name and inheritance. The Sadducees quote the law as saying, “his brother shall marry his wife and raise up offspring for his brother” (Matt. 22:24). The verb they use for “raise up” is the same root word as the term “resurrection”. And it’s here where we see the subtlety of the Sadducees. This was their form of resurrection belief. People are only resurrected in the sense that their children are raised up to continue their line.

They weren’t really concerned about the levirate marriage law. They just used it to craft their “trick question” to trap Jesus in His words. In Matthew 22:25-27 we have their riddle:

25 “Now there were with us seven brothers. The first died after he had married, and having no offspring, left his wife to his brother. 26 Likewise the second also, and the third, even to the seventh. 27 Last of all the woman died also.”

The Sadducees said that these seven brothers were “with” them, but it’s pretty safe to assume that they made up this story. Can you really imagine all seven brothers willingly marrying this woman, after all their brothers before them kept dying as her husband? It is so far-fetched and extreme that it could never happen in real life. The Sadducees built off this Old Testament law using this absurd scenario of seven brothers, each of whom keeps marrying the same wife and then dying before they have any children. Their intention is clear. They want to make the whole idea of resurrection look just as absurd as their scenario.

The technical name of this form of argument is reductio ad absurdum. It was meant to follow a speculation about the resurrection all the way through, until it was reduced to the level of absurdity. It’s a little like how one famous atheist used to ask if, when God bodily raised us from the dead on the last day, He was planning to resurrect all our old haircuts and fingernail-clippings as well. It was not a sincere question. It was simply a question asked out of a spirit of unbelief—one that was designed to make our Lord scramble around for some answer to a ridiculous question in an effort to save face.

Having laid the trap through this crazy story, they spring it on Jesus by asking, “Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had her.” (Matt. 22:28).

They think they’re so smart! Just like the Pharisees thought they “got” Jesus with the question about paying taxes to Caesar, the Sadducees think they’ve “got” Jesus with this question. She can’t be married to them all, right? So, whose wife will she be? Is it the first brother? The last one? One of the brothers in between? It’s a ridiculous scenario which they think proves the absurdity of the resurrection.

However, just as Jesus got the better of the Pharisees in last week’s passage, so he gets the better of the Sadducees in this week’s passage. Look at …

2. Jesus’ Response (Matt. 22:29-32).

First, Jeuss tells them they are in error.

A. Two Errors of Unbelief (Matt. 22:29)

Jesus tells them right away, “You are mistaken . . .” The word that He used is one that meant “to be led astray” or “to be made to wander about”. The idea is that they were not just in error, they were lost, “deceived” in their thinking. They had wandered far from the way of truth. They had derailed from the straight path of the word of God. Jesus says that they were led astray by the condition of their thinking—”not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God” (Matt. 22:29).

The word “knowing”, in its normal use, simply refers to having information that results in understanding. But it can also refer to having a close and intimate relationship with something or someone. And, in some cases, it refers recognizing and having respect and reverence something or someone. A good example of this is found in 1 Thessalonians 5:12; where Paul writes to his believing friends and tells them, ” And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you.” The ESV translates it “respect those who labor among you.”

Here is the nature of their error: It was all in the attitude of their minds and hearts. The Scriptures and the power of God had been set before them; but they didn’t “know” these things. They didn’t recognize or respect them. And because they didn’t begin with an attitude of respect for God’s word or God’s power—or more to the point, because they chose to “disbelieve” these things at the very start—they were led astray in their thinking and were “mistaken”.

So then, having exposed the attitude of unbelief from which the question was raised in the first place, notice how Jesus shows them their error regarding . . .

B. The Power of God in the Resurrection (Matt. 22:30).

The Sadducees had assumed that, when the Bible taught about the resurrection, it meant a resurrection into exactly the same state of being that the person was in before he or she died. And so, obviously, such an assumption would create a ridiculous picture—seven resurrected brothers having to arm-wrestle over whose wife the resurrected, seven-time widow would be. But Jesus says, “For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven” (Matt. 22:30).

“Marriage” is something that God made for life on earth. God provided marriage for the perpetuation of the humankind because He knew people would die. It was how God’s commandment to Adam and Eve was to be fulfilled—to be fruitful, and multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it (Gen. 1:28). It was also God’s means of preserving a “godly offspring” in this dark, fallen world (Mal. 2:14). And because God decreed that it is not good for man to be alone (Gen. 2:18), marriage is His gracious provision for the deep human need for a companion and fellow-heir in “the grace of life” (1 Peter 3:7).[1]

But in the resurrection—when God’s people are raised from the dead to enter into the full experience of eternal life—this “earthly” arrangement will no longer be needed. We will be “like angels of God in heaven“. We won’t be angels, of course, but we will be like angels. We will have none of the limitations and needs that we experience now in these unglorified bodies of ours. Because there will be no more death in heaven, there will be no need to perpetuate the human race by procreation. There will be no need for the same kind of companionship we needed in the struggles and trials of earthly life, because those things will be no more. We will all be together, forever, in perfection and in perfect joy.

Like many of you, I love my wife, and want to be with her forever in heaven. And I will. It may not be in the same kind of relationship that we enjoyed on earth, but it will be in a relationship that is deeper and more profound than what we can understand even in marriage. All our relationships in heaven will be free from sin and its effects.

The point is that the Sadducees were mistaken in not giving proper respect and reverence to the power of God. They didn’t know just how great God’s power is to transform His people from the state of sinful fallenness, which characterizes us now, into a state of heavenly glory that is like that of the angels.

C. Proof of Resurrection in the Scriptures (Matt. 22:30-32)

Second, Jesus sets the Sadducees straight about the Scriptures with respect to the resurrection of the dead. As you remember, they only regarded the five books of Moses as authoritative. But Jesus shows them that they didn’t even respect those Scriptures. Jesus shows them that these very same Scriptures support the resurrection that they denied. He says, “But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God . . . ?” (Matt. 22:31).

He then quotes God speaking from Exodus 3:6, saying, “I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” (Matt. 22:32). At the burning bush, God introduced Himself as the God of Moses’ ancestors—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. And even though those three men had physically died centuries before Moses’ time, they nevertheless still existed before God, because God said that He was—right then—the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

From the very Scriptures they claimed to esteem, Jesus shows that these three patriarchs didn’t cease to exist when their bodies died. They still lived. They still owned God as their God. And God still owned them as His. Therefore, Jesus concludes, “God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” As it says in Luke 20:38, “… for all live to Him.”

If Abraham, Isaac, and Joseph still lived before God apart from their decaying bodies, then He is absolutely capable of giving life to their dead bodies once more. If God could create man’s body from the dust of the earth, He could just as easily recreate men’s bodies from dust or ashes.

The point is that the Sadducees did not give proper reverence and respect to the Scriptures. They trifled with it but didn’t allow themselves to see the truths of the resurrection that were revealed in it—or in the other portions of Scripture that they arrogantly rejected.

Finally, notice . . .

3. The Response of the People (Matt. 22:33).

33 And when the multitudes heard this, they were astonished at His teaching. (Matt. 22:33).

Notice that Matthew doesn’t tell us the Sadducees’ response. Instead, we read of the multitudes that listened. I suspect that the multitudes had heard this kind of debate between the Sadducees and Pharisees before. But when they heard the Lord’s answer, we’re told that the multitudes literally were “struck out of their wits” by it.

What do we learn from our Lord’s answer to this “resurrection riddle”? Certainly, we learn that we can trust what the Bible teaches us about the hope of the resurrection. Most of all, we can trust it because our Lord proved it by rising from the dead Himself just a few days after this question was asked.

But we also can learn that when we are confronted with unbelieving questions designed to trip us up, we can follow the Lord’s example. We should always respond with courteousness and love. But when the question comes from someone who is stubbornly committed to unbelief, and whose motive is to discredit the faith, I believe our Lord’s example teaches us not to simply jump to the question first—as we’re so easily inclined to do.

First, we should prayerfully, lovingly, but resolutely—in the power and authority of the Holy Spirit—expose the unbelief in the heart of the one asking the question. We should be bold and honest, saying something like, “You are mistaken, friend. You are led astray by the fact that you have chosen to begin in the wrong place. You have chosen from the outset not to esteem God’s power nor His revealed word. You have chosen to begin in disbelief in these things and then to argue from your disbelief. And because you began on the wrong path, you will end up in the wrong place.”

And then, the Lord’s example teaches us that we should affirm what God’s word says. We’re to put His revealed word forth to them plainly, and let it speak for itself. They may hear it and repent. Or they may hear it and harden their hearts against God even more as the Sadducees likely did. But the results are not up to us. They are up to the Holy Spirit. Our job is to simply give them God’s truth from God’s word and let it do its work.

The apostle Paul summed this up for us very well. He said,

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ . . . (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).

 

[1] Greg Allen, Giving an Answer to Unbelief, https://www.bethanybible.org/archive/2008/052508.htm

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The Death and Resurrection of Jesus

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The Death and Resurrection of Jesus

Matthew 20:17-19

A few years ago a certain church marketing newsletter (Church’s Advertising Network) promoted a campaign to attract people at Easter. In this public relations campaign, they suggested that the church downplay the negative image of the crucifixion and focus only on the positive image of the resurrection. One pastor interviewed for the campaign gave his wholehearted endorsement, saying, “We are going to attempt to concentrate on the resurrection, and not the death of Jesus.”

Can you imagine Easter without the cross? Is it possible to have the resurrection without the crucifixion? It distorts the entire gospel if Christ’s crucifixion is separated from His resurrection. The way to the empty tomb must always go through the cross. The Savior who was raised from the dead on Sunday is none other than Christ Jesus who was crucified on Friday. Easter without a cross is a hoax.

Easter is good news because of the cross. Paul gives a summary of the gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.”

Jesus Himself described His betrayal, suffering, death, and resurrection for us in this morning’s passage, Matthew 20:17-19. This is the third time in Matthew that Jesus specifically predicted His death and resurrection. In Matthew 16, we saw that after Peter’s great confession that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, Matthew writes,

From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. (Matt. 16:21).

Again in Matthew 17, Jesus told His disciples, “The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him, and the third day He will be raised up.”  

Out of all the portions of Scripture in which Jesus told His disciples in advance of His death and resurrection, this one is the most detailed. And as we will see as we study further into Matthew’s Gospel, every detail of what Jesus says in it truly happened to Him.

Setting: The Journey to Jerusalem (Matt. 20:17)

“Now Jesus, going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples aside on the road and said to them…” (Matt 20:17). We saw in Matthew 19:1 that Jesus had finished His Galilean ministry and was on His way to Jerusalem. It was the time of year when people were making their annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Unleavened Bread and the Passover. Jews from all over the world made their way to the holy city. The way to Jerusalem from Galilee through Perea was especially busy as many took this same route that Jesus and His disciples walked.

Most pilgrims were likely joyful and excited about going up for the feast with their families and friends. But the mood was more somber with Jesus and His disciples. When Mark tells us the story in his Gospel, he says that as the disciples were on the road going up to Jerusalem, “Jesus was going before them; and they were amazed. And as they followed, they were afraid” (Mark 10:32). We can understand their fear when we remember how the opposition to Jesus from the religious leaders had been growing. It was common knowledge that they wanted to destroy Jesus (Matt. 12:14; Mark 3:3; Luke 6:11; John 5:18; 10:39; 11:53,57). Things would certainly get worse in Jerusalem where the chief priests and Pharisees held so much power.

Matthew tells us that Jesus “took the twelve disciples aside on the road” to explain to them about His death and resurrection. Jesus was anticipating His arrival in Jerusalem. He was anticipating His arrest and unfair trial. He was anticipating His death and resurrection. So, He wished to be alone with His disciples so He could prepare them for the terrible and spectacular events that awaited them in Jerusalem.

They needed to be told again because we know that they did not understand it when Jesus told them before. When Jesus told them about His suffering and death the first time (Matt. 16:21), the idea was so offensive to Peter that he took Jesus aside and rebuked Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” (Matt. 16:22). After Jesus told them again in Matthew 17, the disciples “were exceedingly sorrowful” (Matt. 17:23).

The disciples were still anticipating a glorious earthly kingdom. They anticipated the rewards that they might receive for following Jesus (Matt. 19:27). Even though Jesus has just taught them through the parable of the workers in the vineyard that, “the last will be first, and the first last” (Matt. 20:16), in the very next scene James and John have their mother ask for them positions of honor in the kingdom. Jesus’ focus on His suffering and sacrifice stands in stark contrast to the attitude of the disciples who are focused on rewards and thrones. Osbourne comments, “Jesus is aware of his destiny and deliberately chooses the cross, while the disciples, aware of nothing, are consumed with their own desire for greatness.”[i]  

That is the setting for Jesus’ prediction. We now turn to the content of His teaching. Jesus teaches about three necessary events that will happen when they go up to Jerusalem: His betrayal and condemnation, His delivery to the Gentiles and crucifixion, and His resurrection on the third day. This is the same three points that Paul made in 1 Corinthians 15 when he explained the gospel message and defended Christ’s resurrection. To be saved, you must believe these three things about Jesus. He was…

1. Betrayed and Condemned (Matt. 20:18)

Jesus tells His disciples, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death,” (Matt. 20:18).

He started off saying “Behold” to get their attention. He then reminds them that “we are going up to Jerusalem.” The city of Jerusalem was about twenty miles west from the region of “Judea beyond the Jordan” (Matt. 19:1) or Perea, where Jesus had been traveling with His disciples. They would cross back over the Jordan River near Jericho and make the trek uphill to Jerusalem. It was a steep climb from 1200 feet below sea level at Jericho to 2600 feet in altitude at Jerusalem. It would normally take several days to get there.

Now, Jesus tells His disciples again in more detail what awaits Him at Jerusalem. He says it will be betrayal and condemnation, “the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death” (Matt. 20:18).

First, notice what the Lord calls Himself here. He refers to Himself as “The Son of Man“. This is a title that would have drawn the disciples to the Old Testament prophecy of Daniel. In Daniel 7, we read of Daniel’s vision of the end-times and of the future reign of the Messiah:

I was watching in the night visions,
And behold, One like the Son of Man,
Coming with the clouds of heaven!
He came to the Ancient of Days,
And they brought Him near before Him.
Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom,
That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion,
Which shall not pass away,
And His kingdom the one
Which shall not be destroyed. (Daniel 7:13-14).

Jesus deliberately chose to use the title “Son of Man” to refer to Himself. He didn’t simply say, “I am going to be betrayed . . .”; but rather, that “the Son of Man is going to be betrayed . . .” He wanted to emphasize the glory of who He truly was. In using this title, Jesus indicated that He was undergoing these things as the promised Messiah and King.

And perhaps, in the process, the disciples would have remembered what else is promised about the Son of Man in Daniel’s prophecy. Daniel 9:26 says that after a certain time, “Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself.” This promised Messiah would not only one day rule a kingdom that will not be destroyed, but He must also be “cut off” for the sake of others!

Jesus knew the scriptures. He knew the prophecies about the Messiah. Jesus was making it clear that He knew in advance what was about to happen. He knew what awaited Him in Jerusalem—even down to the precise details. This ought to cause us to be humbled in awe before our Savior. His humanity certainly would have recoiled from the suffering that awaited Him. It would have been natural for Him to avoid going to Jerusalem at all. And yet, Jesus went willingly and resolutely to die on the cross—”not for Himself“, as Daniel says, but for us.

Jesus predicted His betrayal, “the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes” (Matt. 20:18). Matthew 26 records how this took place:

14 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?” And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. 16 So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him. (Matt. 26:14-16).

Then Matthew tells us that after Jesus had celebrated the Passover with His disciples and instituted the Lord’s Supper, Jesus went to Gethsemane to pray. After repeatedly praying and returning to find His disciples asleep, He said, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.” (Matt. 26:45-46). Then Matthew records,

47 And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people. 48 Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him.” 49 Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. 50 But Jesus said to him, “Friend, why have you come?” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him. (Matt. 26:47-50).

As Jesus spoke this prediction of His betrayal, His betrayer was right there among the twelve. Jesus knew it. Yet, because He also knew it had to happen this way in fulfillment of scripture and the Father’s will, Jesus did not expose His betrayer yet.

Just as Jesus predicted, Judas betrayed Him “to the chief priests and to the scribes.” The chief priests were the aristocratic, upper-echelon priests who inherited their positions. They controlled the temple and dictated the temple service of the rest of the priests. The scribes were the experts in scriptures and traditions who interpreted the law of Moses. Many of these were high ranking Pharisees. Together, they made up the ruling council of the Jews, the Sanhedrin who held a mock trial and condemned Jesus.

Again, Matthew 26 records,

57 And those who had laid hold of Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. 58 But Peter followed Him at a distance to the high priest’s courtyard. And he went in and sat with the servants to see the end. 59 Now the chief priests, the elders, and all the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, 60 but found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward 61 and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’ ” 62 And the high priest arose and said to Him, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?” 63 But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, “I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!” 64 Jesus said to him, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65 Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy! 66 “What do you think?” They answered and said, “He is deserving of death.” (Matt. 26:57-66).

They condemned Jesus for speaking blasphemy. Yet, Jesus was speaking the truth about Himself. They condemned Him because they would not believe in Him—that He was the divine Son of Man who would reign at God’s right hand.

Next Jesus predicts that He would be…

2. Delivered Over and Crucified (Matt. 20:19a)

In Matthew 20:19, Jesus says that the chief priests and scribes would, “… deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify…” To deliver or hand over meant to give Jesus over to their power and authority. Jesus knew the Jews did not have the authority to put Him to death and therefore had to hand Him over to the Gentiles to carry out the death sentence. Matthew 27:1-2 says,

1 When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put Him to death. 2 And when they had bound Him, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor. (Matt. 27:1-2).

And now, Jesus gives details about His suffering that He did not disclose to His disciples before—how they would mock Him and scourge Him, and how He would die by crucifixion. Matthew 27:26-31 describes the how Gentiles scourged and mocked Him:

26 Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified. 27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him. 28 And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. 29 When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30 Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head. 31 And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified. (Matt. 27:26-31).

It happened exactly as Jesus predicted because it was the will of God. The Messiah’s suffering and death was planned by God ages before it was plotted and carried out by these evil men. Jesus knew why He had come to earth and every detail of how His life and death would fulfill the scriptures according to the will of God.

And He also knew that His death would not be the end of the story. Because Jesus also predicted He would be …

3. Resurrected the Third Day (Matt. 20:19b)

We read Matthew’s resurrection account (Matt. 28:1-10) at the beginning of our worship service today. We heard how as the first day of the week began to dawn “an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door” (Matt. 28:2). We read how he spoke to the women who had come to the tomb saying, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay” (Matt. 28:5-6). We read that as they went with great fear and joy to tell the disciples, Jesus met them saying, “Rejoice!” and  “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me” (Matt. 28:9,10).

So we see the death and resurrection of Jesus. The two cannot be separated. The question that comes to us is, “Why?” Why did Jesus subject Himself to these things? If Jesus knew what was going to happen, why did He continue? The answer to this question comes in Matthew 20:28, one of the greatest verses in the Bible. Jesus said, ” just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” When Jesus died, it wasn’t without purpose. When Jesus died, it wasn’t just another man dying as a criminal. There was a specific reason why He died. “to give His life a ransom for many.” As we know from the rest of the scriptures, He gave His life to redeem the souls of sinners who would believe in Him. It was one life for many. His single death paid for the life of many others. Jesus’ resurrection from the dead is not an afterthought, but is bound closely to the crucifixion as the key means by which Jesus will accomplish the redemption of His people.

We are here today, worshiping Jesus Christ, because His death two thousand years ago paid for our sin today. This is the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We, who are sinners and deserve to die because of our sin, don’t die because of the work of Jesus Christ on our behalf to pay the debt that we owed to God for our sin. As we believe that news and trust that news, we are redeemed from our sin. God has bought us back from the bondage in which we found ourselves due to our sin.

We are here today because Jesus did not stay in the grave. He rose the third day, just as He said He would. If Jesus had not been raised, we would have no forgiveness, no hope, no life, and no heaven. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15,

17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! 18 Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. (1 Cor. 15:17-19).

The only reason for us gathering here today is because Jesus is alive. There is no other explanation for proclamation of the gospel and the spread of the church. It is precisely because Jesus rose from the dead! All our faith and hope rests on that fact.

The death and resurrection of Jesus redeemed us from our sin. That’s what Matthew 20:28 is speaking about. That’s what being a Christian is all about. It’s about believing and trusting in the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Have you bowed the knee to Jesus Christ? Do you trust in His atoning sacrifice for your sins? Then, today should be a wonderful time of celebration, as you remember Jesus paying the ransom for your sins. Today should filled with joy as you celebrate our risen Savior and Lord. Today should be filled with hope as we have the assurance of our own resurrection and heaven because Christ has been raised.

————————————————————–

[i] Grant Osbourne, Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: Matthew, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, p. 735.

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The Death and Resurrection of God’s Servant

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The Death and Resurrection of God’s Servant

Isaiah 52:13-53:12

Today, I felt it necessary to leave our normal verse-by-verse exposition of the Gospel of Matthew to focus our attention on the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Since I already preached from Matthew’s account of the resurrection last year, I thought it would deepen our understanding and strengthen our faith if we fixed our gaze on the life, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus as the prophet Isaiah described it 700 years before it happened. In Isaiah 53 we see the content and the confirmation of the resurrection of Christ.[1] God revealed to Isaiah the purpose of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

If you were here Friday evening, you know that I focused on Isaiah 53:4-6 in answering the question, “Why Did Jesus Die?” But this morning, I want to give you a broader understanding of the whole passage in Isaiah 53. Isaiah was a prophet in the nation of Judah during the time that the northern Kingdom of Israel was exiled by the Assyrians. And he prophesied that the southern Kingdom of Judah would face a similar judgment by God at the hands of the Babylonians.

All scholars recognize that the sixty-six chapters of Isaiah divide into two major sections. In the first 39 chapters, Isaiah’s prophecy majors on God’s judgment on Israel and the coming judgment on Judah. There are hints of hope in those chapters, but the theme is judgment. Isaiah 39 ends with Isaiah giving a prophecy to King Hezekiah about the Babylonian captivity.

The second section begins in Isaiah 40. And the tone of this section is completely different. Isaiah 40:1 begins, “‘Comfort, yes, comfort My people!’ Says your God.” Isaiah is writing to comfort the future generation who will return from exile. The theme of these chapters is grace and salvation, encompassing not only the deliverance of Israel from Babylon, but also the deliverance of sinners from sin and the deliverance of the nations from the curse into the Kingdom of Christ.[2]

In the heart of this second section of Isaiah, are four “Servant Songs” (cf. 42:1-7; 49:1-6; 50:4-9). The final and climatic Servant Song is Isaiah 52:13 to Isaiah 53:12. The New Testament directly quotes this text no less than seven times and alludes to it another forty times. It is no exaggeration to call this passage “The Mt. Everest of Old Testament prophecy.”[3] Nowhere in all the Old Testament does the gospel of Jesus Christ shine more clearly than here.

In this song, there are 5 stanzas of 3 verses each. By creative contrast and regular repetition, Isaiah weaves the twin themes of exaltation and humiliation into a beautiful tapestry of theological truth.[4] The first line of each stanza captures its theme and beautifully summarizes its content. Isaiah 52:13, “Behold, My Servant shall deal prudently”—here we see the exalted servant. Isaiah 53:1, “Who has believed our report?”—here we see the rejected servant. Isaiah 53:4, “Surely He has borne our griefs”—here we see the suffering servant. Isaiah 53:7, “He was oppressed and He was afflicted”—here we see the executed servant. Finally, Isaiah 53:10, “Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him”—and here we see the resurrected servant.

We could spend weeks studying the details of this amazing prophecy. But today, I just want you to see the big picture in hopes of deepening your love for our risen Lord Jesus Christ.

First, I want you to see…

1. The Exalted Servant (Isa. 52:13-15)

This opening stanza serves as the prologue to the song and a summation of the entire prophecy. Isaiah 52:13 begins the same way the first Servant Song does in Isaiah 42:1, “Behold, My Servant…” God, through the prophet, calls on us to look at His servant and be astonished. Who is this Servant of Yahweh? Sometimes in Isaiah, the servant of the Lord is the people of Israel. Isaiah 41:8 says “But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, The descendants of Abraham My friend” (cf. Isa. 49:3).  Sometimes, the servant is Isaiah himself (Isa. 49:5). But in this Servant Song, the servant cannot be the people of Israel or the prophet because the Servant substitutes Himself for both the prophet and the people.

As I said on Friday evening, the New Testament is clear that the servant here is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ (Matt. 8:17; Acts 8:35; 1 Peter 2:24; Mark 10:45). He fulfills this prophecy perfectly.

God gives us the conclusion at the beginning, “Behold, My Servant shall deal prudently; He shall be exalted and extolled and be very high.” This is the end-result of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He will ultimately succeed in His mission. Christ is exalted because of His success. “My Servant shall deal prudently” could also be translated, “My servant will act wisely or prosper.” The Messiah will be triumphant. He shall be 1) exalted (raised, high), 2) extolled (lifted up), and 3) be very high.

“Exalted and extolled” or “high and lifted up” are used in combination 4 times in Isaiah and no place else in the Old Testament (cf. Isaiah 6:1; 33:10; 57:15). All three other instances they describe God. Listen to one of them, Isaiah 6:1, “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple.” This Servant of Yahweh is exalted and extolled just as Yahweh Himself.  The Apostle Paul tells us in Philippians, that after Jesus humbled Himself being obedient to death on the cross, “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, … and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-10).

Jesus is exalted in His success—but His success is due to His suffering. Isaiah 52:14 says, “Just as many were astonished at you, So His visage was marred more than any man, And His form more than the sons of men.” People are astonished, appalled, shocked at His appearance. The center three stanzas of this Servant Song will tell us why this is so.

He is exalted in His success, because of His suffering, and for His service. Isaiah 52:15, “So shall He sprinkle many nations. Kings shall shut their mouths at Him; For what had not been told them they shall see, And what they had not heard they shall consider.” The verb “sprinkle” is the Hebrew word, נָזָה (naza). This word most often appears in the book of Leviticus and describes the sprinkling of blood for atonement. Jesus, the Messiah, is our perfect High Priest (Hebrews 3:1). And the blood of the sacrifice that He will sprinkle the nations with is His own blood.

God’s Servant will astonish not just His own people, but many nations and their kings. The Messiah will sprinkle and redeem the nations. The Gentiles will see the Messiah for who He is, despite not previously having heard about Him. What God accomplished in Christ could never have been done by the nation of Israel or dreamed up by any man. It was God’s plan.

So, this song begins with the servant’s exaltation. Next we see…

2. The Rejected Servant (Isa. 53:1-3).

In the first stanza, God described the exaltation of His Servant. In the next three stanzas, Isaiah speaks as the redeemed people of God. You will see the pronouns “we”, “our”, and “us” repeatedly. This is the testimony of the redeemed as they look back on what God has done in Christ. They look back and lament and mourn over the fact they misjudged the Lord’s Servant and did not believe the message about Him. Isaiah 53:1 asks, “Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?” The nations did not believe because they did not know. Israel knew and yet she did not believe because she failed to recognize the “arm of the Lord” when it was revealed in the Suffering Servant. Instead, they rejected Him.

How did they misunderstand and reject God’s servant?

They misunderstood Him and rejected Him because he appeared to be insignificant and unattractive. Isaiah 53:2, “For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, And as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him, There is no beauty that we should desire Him.” The Servant lacked the regal splendor necessary to attract the nations. Jesus, the Messiah never held any titles, nor did He hold public office. He did not look like an earthly King. He had no earthly majesty or official authority from man. Jesus arose out of humble circumstances and lowly conditions—from a poor nation, impoverished parents, born in a stable, a carpenter by trade. The people thought, “This is not what ‘the arm of the Lord’ should look like!”

Isaiah 53:3 shows how most responded to God’s Servant, “He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.” Because Jesus was not who they expected Him to be, they did not believe His message and they rejected Him as Messiah. Instead of honoring Him for who He is, men hated Him. John explains in his Gospel how this prophecy was fulfilled even though Jesus had performed so many signs, and still the people did not believe Him (John 12:37). John 12:38 says, “that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke: “Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?””

All that led to Him being …

3. The Suffering Servant (Isa. 53:4-6)

In these verses we find the Servant wounded, bruised, chastened, and whipped. Those who saw this happen or have heard about it since considered Him “stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted” (Isaiah 53:4). Many in ancient Israel believed suffering was the judgment of God for your sins and therefore they wrongly assumed that when the Servant suffered, He was getting what He deserved.

But now, seeing the true picture, they know that the griefs and sorrows He carried were indeed deserved, but not by Him, but by us. Listen again to Isaiah 53;4-6,

4 Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

The language of substitution could not be clearer. It was not for His own sins that Jesus suffered—He had none. He is the sinless Son of God, the Holy and Righteous One. 1 Peter 3:18 says, “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit.” God took the punishment and weight of your sins and mine and laid them upon his only Son at the cross. He suffered for sinners.

So far we have seen the exalted servant, the rejected servant, the suffering servant, and now…

4. The Executed Servant (Isa. 53:7-9)

All of the Servant’s suffering culminated and climaxed in His death. Here we see the submissive obedience of Christ in His suffering.

7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth. 8 He was taken from prison and from judgment, And who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions of My people He was stricken. 9 And they made His grave with the wicked–But with the rich at His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was any deceit in His mouth. (Isaiah 53:7-9)

There are so many prophecies in these three verses that we could spend hours detailing how Jesus fulfilled them in His suffering and death. Peter writes about it in 1 Peter 2:

21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22 “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; 23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness–by whose stripes you were healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (1 Pet. 2:21-25)

Jesus died for our transgressions. He was cut-off from the land of the living. It was not an accident. It was an execution. These verses clearly prophesy the death and burial of God’s Servant—a death that was not for Himself, but for others. This is the Executed Servant.

But, praise God! That is not the end of the story. Finally we see…

5. The Resurrected Servant (Isa. 53:10-12)

At least three times Isaiah tells us that the sacrifice that the servant made in dying results in a resurrection triumph. He does not use the word “resurrection,” but the reality is plain. Listen to Isaiah 53:10-12,

10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand. 11 He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors.

First, I want you to notice this. The death of the Servant was not merely a murder or a martyrdom. It was nothing less than a divine appointment! It was the Lord’s will to bruise Him. It was God who put Him to grief. God made His soul an offering for sin. The chief priests, the Pharisees, the Jews, Pilate, Herod, the Romans—they all played a part and are culpable for killing Jesus. But as we have seen, it is not just them that are guilty—so are we. We all sinned and Christ died because of our sin. But ultimately, it was the Father’s will. It was God who sacrificed His Son. It was His eternal plan and purpose that accomplished our salvation through the death of His Son.

But God’s plan was even bigger than what Christ accomplished at the cross. His death was not the end. The Servant’s life and sacrifice was not a waste, a loss, after all.  In fact, He will see His seed (offspring), His days will be prolonged (lengthened) and the best of all:  the pleasure (will, desire) of the Lord shall prosper (be accomplished) in His hand. Yes, He was bruised by God, but He is also blessed by God. Look at three results from His death and resurrection: 1) He sees the fruit of his death and is satisfied. He is not dead. He is living and satisfied. His work is complete, and He is glad. 2) He justifies many – all those who trust in Him. If you trust in Jesus, you are declared just and righteous before God. That is what “justify” means. A dead Christ does not justify. A living Christ justifies. Romans 4:25 says, “[He] was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.” 3) “He will bear their iniquities.” Yes, he bore these iniquities when he died. But He goes on making intercession and bears them forever in the sense that as long as He lives it is plain that His death was utterly sufficient to pay for all your sins.

He is satisfied. We are justified. And all our sins are carried away by Christ forever. We will never bear them again.

This song began with the Exalted Servant and it ends with the Risen Servant being exalted in His redeemed people. He divides the spoils of His victory over sin and death with all those whom He has redeemed. Hebrews 7:25 says, “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”

Jesus is the exalted, rejected, suffering, dying, and risen Servant. What will you do with Jesus today? Will you turn to Him in repentance and faith, trusting in His death for the forgiveness of your sins and in His resurrection for your justification?

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[1] John Piper, The Risen Christ: Satisfied with His Suffering,  https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/the-risen-christ-satisfied-with-his-suffering.

[2] John MacArthur, The Astonishing Servant of Jehovah, https://www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/90-435/the-astonishing-servant-of-jehovah.

[3] Kyle Yates, quoted by Daniel Akin, The Suffering Servant of the Lord, http://www.danielakin.com/wp-content/uploads/old/Resource_157/The%20Suffering%20Servant%20of%20the%20Lord-sermon.pdf.

[4] Daniel Akin, The Suffering Servant of the Lord, http://www.danielakin.com/wp-content/uploads/old/Resource_157/The%20Suffering%20Servant%20of%20the%20Lord-sermon.pdf.

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Jesus Appears to His Disciples

New Covenant Baptist Church Easter Slide 2022

Jesus Appears to His Disciples

Luke 24:36-53

Our text for this Easter Sunday is Luke 24:36-53. This chapter is Luke’s account of the resurrection when Jesus Christ was raised from the dead. Picking up the story in Luke 24:36, it was Easter Sunday evening. The last few days have been horribly confusing for Jesus’ followers. After watching Jesus endure betrayal, arrest, lies, insults, beatings, and crucifixion, they saw Him die and His body buried. Now they were huddled in a room with the doors locked for fear of the Jews (John 20:19). Incredible reports were beginning to come in about Jesus’ resurrection. First, it was the women who had gone to the tomb early that morning (Luke 24:1). They reported (Luke 24:9) that His tomb was empty and that angels had told them “He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’” (Luke 24:6-7). Peter and John also had run there to find an empty tomb (Luke 24:12; John 20:3-8). Mary Magdalene and some other women claimed to have seen Jesus (John 20:11-18; Matt. 28:9), but none of it made sense–it was all so unbelievable, to good to be true. But now Peter himself testified that the Lord also appeared to him (Luke 24:34). Then, two came in from Emmaus claiming they had walked with the risen Lord, that He had taught them from the Scriptures, and they finally recognized Him when He broke the bread.

Listen to what happened next in Luke 24:36-53:

36 Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.” 37 But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. 38 And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.” 40 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. 41 But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, “Have you any food here?” 42 So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. 43 And He took it and ate in their presence. 

44 Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” 45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. 46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things. 49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”

50 And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. 51 Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.

Luke wrote this ending of his Gospel to encourage people to trust in the evidence of the resurrection (Luke 24:36-43), to know and proclaim the witness of the scriptures (Luke 24:44-49), and to worship the Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 24:50-53).

1. Believe the evidence of the resurrection (Luke 24:36-43)

While the Emmaus disciples are giving their report to the Eleven (or the Ten) and exchanging their wonderful experiences, Jesus suddenly appears before them (Luke 24:36). His first words to the group of frightened disciples were, “Peace to you.” But their response was the opposite of peace, “they were terrified and frightened.” The reason for their fear was that they “supposed they had seen a spirit.” Jesus’ appearance was, not a normal one. John tells us that Jesus suddenly appeared even though the doors were shut (John 20:19). How could Jesus have entered the room in a normal body? The only thing that made sense to them was that it had to be a ghost.

Jesus knew that this fear really stemmed from unbelief. So, He asks, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts?” (Luke 24:38). Just a few minutes before when the Emmaus disciples arrived, the disciples had said they believed the resurrection was true: “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” (Luke 24:34). But now their fear betrays their insufficient faith.

Jesus graciously alleviates their fear by giving them ample evidence of His resurrection body. The first evidence was the Lord Himself, standing before them. He says to them “Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself” (Luke 24:39). He was not, as they supposed, a ghost. He encouraged them to “Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have” (Luke 24:40). The inference is clear that both His hands and His feet bore the nail prints which He had from the cross. Jesus proves that He is the same man who was crucified a few days ago, whom they watched die. Finally, Jesus ate some of the fish which they were eating, the final proof that His body was, indeed, a real one. Jesus’ resurrection was neither a simple resuscitation of his body nor the appearance of a disembodied spirit. This is resurrection. Jesus has a new and glorified body that bears the marks of His death (1 Cor. 15:20-23; 35-49). All the Gospel writers strongly emphasize the bodily resurrection of Jesus.

The disciples’ first response to Jesus’ appearance was that they were “terrified and frightened” (Luke 24:37). Jesus pressed past these symptoms, to the deeper roots, which was that their hearts were troubled and doubting (Luke 24:38). After Jesus convinced them of His resurrection by the physical evidence, their fears and doubts were turned into joy and amazement (Luke 24:41). Now Luke writes, “they still did not believe for joy, and marveled.”  Now instead of the doubt was of unbelief, they marvel because of joy—like saying, “I can’t believe this is happening to me!,” or “It’s too good to be true!”

You can trust in the reality of Jesus’ bodily Resurrection. The unanimous witness of the disciples about the resurrection of Jesus is this: It really happened! Nothing is more central to our faith.

Every sermon preached by every Christian in the New Testament centers on the resurrection. The gospel or ‘good news’ means essentially the news of Christ’s resurrection. The message that flashed across the ancient world, set hearts on fire, changed lives, and turned the world upside down was not ‘love your neighbor.’ Every morally sane person already knew that; it was not news. The news was that a man who claimed to be the Son of God and the Savior of the world had risen from the dead.[1]

You can believe the evidence for the bodily resurrection of Jesus.

2. Know and proclaim the witness of the scriptures (Luke 24:44-49)

These words from Jesus in Luke 24:44-49 may have been spoken to these disciples on the first Resurrection Sunday or they may represent a summary of what Jesus taught the disciples over the 40 days between His resurrection and His ascension. It was this teaching and the coming of the Holy Spirit that transformed these men from being confused, discouraged, and fearful into bold, courageous witnesses who were willing to die for their faith and mission.[2]

Just as Jesus had explained to the men on the Emmaus Road the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures (24:27), so here, He explains concerning His death and resurrection that “all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me” (Luke 24:44). The word “must” is the same word found in Luke 24:7 when the angels quote what Jesus had told them “saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’” Jesus used this word of necessity again with the Emmaus disciples in Luke 24:26, “Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” God’s sovereign plan must be fulfilled. The death of Jesus was not an accident, nor just the actions of sinful men. It was God’s sovereign purpose, in fulfillment of many Old Testament Scriptures. All of it had been prophesied in the Scriptures, and also foretold by the Lord Jesus.

Jesus indicates that the whole Old Testament scriptures, “the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms,” speak of Him. The law of Moses is the Torah, the Pentateuch, first five books of the Bible. The Prophets include all the historical books from Joshua all the way through Esther as well as the writing prophets from Isaiah through Malachi. The Psalms includes all the wisdom literature from Job through Song of Solomon. “All of the Old Testament, beginning with the Law of Moses, looked ahead to the coming of Jesus as the Messiah. And all of the Old Testament spoke of His rejection, suffering, death, and resurrection, either by direct statement or by inference.”[3]

Haven’t we seen Jesus Christ even as we have been studying in the book of Genesis? We have seen Him as the agent of the creation of all things (John 1:1-2; Col. 1:16-17). We have seen a type of Him in Adam as the head of the human race (Rom. 5:19-21; 1 Cor. 15:45, 47). As Adam was given a bride by God, so Christ is given a bride, the church, from the Father (Gen. 2:18-25; Eph 5:22-32).

Jesus is the fulfillment of the “Seed” of the woman in Genesis 3:15 Who will bruise the serpent’s head (Matt. 1:18; Gal. 4:4; Rom. 16:20). We see the salvation of men from judgment pictured in Noah’s ark—a picture that Peter says is of our salvation through the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 3:20-21).

Jesus is the seed of Abraham through whom “all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Gen. 12:3; 21:12-18;  Gal. 3:8, 14, 16). Melchizedek—the king of righteousness, the king of peace (Salem)—was a type of Christ our Priest-King who has an eternal priesthood (Gen. 14:17-24; Heb. 6:20; 7:2, 17; 23-24; Ps. 110:4).

The Angel of the Lord who appeared several times in Genesis is a manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ (Gen. 16:7-14; 21:12-21; 22:11-18; 31:11-13; 32:22-32). He is called Yahweh, the LORD. He was sent from God and spoke as God. He appeared as a man walking, talking, and eating.

Isaac was a type of Christ in that he was the promised “son of Abraham.” Just as Isaac’s birth was the result of the supernatural power of God, so too was it true of Jesus. Isaac typified the Redeemer in that he is the only other human sacrifice that God commanded, and though God stopped Abraham from going through with the sacrifice of Isaac, he is said to have died and been risen from the dead “figuratively” (Heb. 11:19). Jesus, the true and greater son of Abraham, was sacrificed, raised, and returned to His Father.

Jacob was a type of Christ in that He was the chosen one who was named ‘Israel’ by God. The nation of Israel was given birth through Jacob. Jesus is the one who gives birth to the True Israel of God, His church (Gal. 3:7-9,29; Psa. 73:1; Isa. 45:25; Hos. 1:10; John 1:47; Rom. 2:28,29; Rom. 4:12; Rom. 9:6-8; Phl. 3:3; 1 Pet. 2:5-9).

We saw parallels of the life of Christ in Joseph in that he suffered unjustly and then was exalted to save his brethren. Joseph typified the “sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow” (1 Peter 1:10-11). He was envied and hated by his brothers, suffered at their hands, and was exalted to a place of power. Jesus also was envied and hated by His brethren, murdered by them, and then exalted to the highest place of power and honor to save the world. We saw the Lord also in Judah, who offered himself in place of his brethren (Gen. 47).

Jesus is the substitutionary sacrificial lamb that God Himself would provide (Gen. 22:8; John 1:29). He is the ladder upon whom the angels of God ascended and descended in Jacob’s vision at Bethel (Gen. 28:12; John 1:51). He is the seed of Jacob (Gen. 28:14; Luke 3:34). He is Shiloh (Gen. 49:10), the One who to whom the royal scepter belongs, who brings peace. He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Gen. 49:9; Rev. 5:5). He is the Good Shepherd (Gen. 49:24; Ps. 23; 80:1; Isa. 40:11; Ezek. 34:23-25; 37:24-28; Jn. 10:11, 14-16; I Pet. 2:25; 5:4). He is the precious Stone of Israel (Gen. 49:24; Ps. 118:22-23; Isa. 28:16; Lk. 20:17-18; Eph. 2:20; I Pet. 2:4, 6-8; Rom. 9:32, 33; I Cor. 3:11).

These are just a sampling of the limitless prophecies, types, and shadows of Christ in the Old Testament. Jesus said about the scriptures, “these are they which testify of Me” (John 5:39). MacArthur writes that the gospel is not some an intrusion into Judaism or some new religion: “Not at all. It is the one great mural that is painted by God that sweeps through all of redemptive history.”[4]

Even though the scriptures prophesied it and Jesus predicted it, not until after His resurrection were the eyes of the disciples opened to understand all that the prophets had spoken pertaining to the ministry of the Messiah, and especially of His rejection, suffering, death, and resurrection—that “thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day” (Luke 24:46). That veil was now removed. From this point on the disciples will turn to the Old Testament prophecies to prove that Jesus was the promised Messiah, and that all that happened to Him was a prophetic necessity.

But not only did Jesus give them the biblical necessity of His life, death, and resurrection, but also the biblical necessity of the proclamation of the gospel—saying “and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things.” (Luke 24:47-48). It was written that the “Christ must suffer and rise on the third day,” and it was also written that “repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in His name to all nations.”

The subject of our preaching is the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Our appeal is for people to repent and believe on Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins.  Repentance means to turn to God from our sin. It is not separate from saving faith, but it is the flip side of saving faith, so that it is often used interchangeably for it (here; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 5:31; 11:18; 20:21; 26:18, 20).[5]

Forgiveness of sins is the foremost need of every person. We have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). Sinners do not first need to know how to succeed in life. They don’t first need to know how to patch up their faulty marriages. They do not need to know how to improve their self-esteem. They don’t first need social justice or material prosperity. Sinners need to know how they can obtain forgiveness from God. God’s answer is: sinners will be forgiven when they repent of their sins and trust in Christ’s blood that was shed on the cross. Forgiveness is only found in Christ—in His death and resurrection.

In order for the church to proclaim the gospel to the world, they must be endued with power from God—that is what Jesus promises next: “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49). The Holy Spirit was “the Promise of My Father,” and being “endued with power from on high.” This too, was foretold by the Old Testament prophets and by Jesus.  Jesus commanded His disciples not to go forth with their witness to the things which had happened apart from the power which He would provide through His Spirit. He who commanded the disciples to be His witnesses also commanded them only to witness in the power that He would provide. He who commands is He who enables.[6]

The final scene in Luke 24 jumps forward forty days (Acts 1:1-3) to Jesus’ ascension into heaven. Luke will give more details about this in his second volume (Acts).

3. Worship the Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 24:50-53)

Jesus leads the disciples to the outskirts of Jerusalem toward Bethany (Luke 49:50), to the mount called Olivet (Acts 1:12). As He lifted His hands in blessing, He was taken up from them into heaven. Jesus’ Ascension gives closure to Luke’s gospel and sets the stage for Jesus’ guidance over His church from His authoritative position at the Father’s right hand (Acts 2:3-36).

Notice their response: “And they worshiped Him.” And notice the change that Luke describes here. These once despondent disciples are now characterized by praise. And these followers of Jesus who only days before were cowering behind locked doors, hidden from the Jewish religious leaders who crucified their Lord, are now persistently, publicly praising God—in the temple, the very headquarters of Judaism.

Now they understand who He is, the Son of God, divine and worthy of worship (Isaiah 9:5; Jer. 23:5; Prov 30:4; Micah 5:1). Worshiping someone or something less than God would have been idolatry to these Jewish disciples (Acts 10:25-26; Rev. 22:8-9). But everywhere in the New Testament, we are called upon to worship Jesus. Paul tells us of one Day when before Him “every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil 2:10-11).

To the extent that we see the glory of the risen and ascended Lord Jesus Christ, we will be filled with worship, great joy, and thanksgiving toward God for His abundant mercies to us.

Have you become a follower of Jesus? Have you believed in His death and resurrection for the forgiveness of your sins? Are your bearing witness of the living Lord Jesus Christ and of the Good News of salvation? Is your life characterized by worshiping with joy?

 

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[1] P. Kreeft and R.K. Tacelli, Handbook of Christian Apologetics, 176

[2] Steven Cole, Our Mission and How to Fulfill It (Luke 24:44-49), https://bible.org/seriespage/lesson-116-our-mission-and-how-fulfill-it-luke-2444-49

[3] Robert Deffinbaugh, From Invisibility to Invincibility (Luke 24:36-53), https://bible.org/seriespage/77-invisibility-invincibility-luke-2436-53

[4] John MacArthur, The Great Commission: Proclaiming Forgiveness to the World, Part 1, https://www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/42-296/the-great-commission-proclaiming-forgiveness-to-the-world-part-1

[5] Cole, ibid.

[6] Deffinbaugh, ibid.

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The Significance of the Resurrection

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The Significance of the Resurrection

1 Corinthians 15:1-20

1 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you–unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. 6 After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. 7 After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. 8 Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 11 Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

12 Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. 14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. 15 Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up–if in fact the dead do not rise. 16 For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. 17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! 18 Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.

20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 

Today we are celebrating the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead. People respond differently when you talk about the resurrection of Jesus. There are unbelievers who want to disprove the fact of His resurrection. There are Christians who major on apologetics to confirm the His resurrection. Many in our secular humanistic culture simply want to ignore the resurrection. They are happy to consider Jesus as a teacher of morality, but not as the Son of God who died for sins and was raised from the dead.

In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul deals with the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead. The reason that Paul addresses this subject of resurrection is that some in the church at Corinth were denying the resurrection of the dead. In 1 Corinthians 15:12 Paul writes, “Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?” It seems that they were not explicitly denying the resurrection of Jesus, but they were denying the whole concept of a future resurrection for people. This is not a new heresy that only showed up in the Corinthian church. Denying the resurrection of the dead is seen in several different forms in the New Testament. The Greek pagans denied the resurrection of the dead, as we can see from the Book of Acts. In his sermon to those in Athens, Paul preached these words:

30 “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, 31 because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” 32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, “We will hear you again on this matter.” (Acts 17:30-32).

The Greeks philosophers may have believed in the immortality of men, as spirits, but they mocked the teaching of bodily resurrection.

The Jewish sect called the Sadducees—which included the High Priest and many of the elders of Israel—they denied the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead also. Acts 23:8 says, “For Sadducees say that there is no resurrection—and no angel or spirit.” The Sadducees were anti-supernaturalists—they did not believe in miracles or an afterlife.

Later in the church at Ephesus there were those who professed to believe in the resurrection of the dead but who insisted that this “resurrection” had already taken place. Paul writes to Timothy,

16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. 17 And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, 18 who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. (2 Timothy 2:16-18).

They taught that the “resurrection” was only present spiritual possession, not a future bodily resurrection.

We are not told exactly what form the denial of the resurrection of the dead took at Corinth. I am inclined to think it was the same kind of error Paul exposed in Ephesus (2 Tim. 2:16-18), where Paul told Timothy that such error would “increase to more ungodliness” (verse 16). While the doctrinal error regarding the resurrection of the dead is not adressed until chapter 15, the ungodly fruits of this error are apparent in chapters 1-14.

So in 1 Corinthians 15 Paul is arguing for a future bodily resurrection. In so doing, Paul gives one of the clearest, most concise definitions of the “gospel” found anywhere in the Bible. He shows how a denial of the resurrection of the dead is a denial of the gospel itself, and how believing in the gospel gives us hope for the next world as well as for the present.

Paul makes his argument for the resurrection from: 1. The truth of the Gospel (1 Cor. 15:1-11); then, 2. The fallacy of denying the resurrection (1 Cor. 15:12-19).

1. The Truth of the Gospel (1 Cor. 15:1-11)

A. The importance of the Gospel (1 Cor. 15:1-2)

First Paul reminds the Corinthians of the gospel that he preach and they believed because the resurrection of Jesus is an essential part of the gospel. 1 Corinthians 15:1-2:

1 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you–unless you believed in vain.

Paul addresses them as brethren, believers. Do you know what the word “gospel” means, by the way? In the original language of the New Testament, the word translated “gospel” basically means, “the proclamation of good news” or “the preaching of good tidings”. Paul had the privilege of preaching the gospel to them. They received it. They stood fast on the truth of the gospel and continue to stand on it. It is the gospel that saved them, is even now saving them, and will save them continually.

The result of what was preached and what you received and where you stand is that now you have a present salvation. This is important. Our salvation is not some fabricated fairy tale for the future. It is a present reality with eternal consequences.

Paul is declaring the gospel that they heard and received and are standing and are saved. But now he adds a conditional clause. Paul says (1 Cor. 15:2), “if you hold fast that word which I preached to you–unless you believed in vain.” When he says they are saved, he is assuming that something is true. He is assuming that they are holding fast to the message that he preached to them. If they are not holding to the gospel message preached to them—then they are not saved. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the only message that saves. You must receive it, believe it, stand on it, and hold fast to it.

What is this gospel message? What was the gospel that Paul first preached to them?

B. The message of the Gospel (1 Cor. 15:3-4)

3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.

First, Paul wants them to remember that he did not invent the gospel message, he received it. He faithfully passed on to the people of God what he himself had been given from the Lord. In Galatians 1:11-12, he wrote;

But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:11-12).

The saving gospel can be summed up in three basic points:

1) “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures” — “Christ” is the Greek title for the Hebrew word Messiah. The apostles preached that Jesus is the Christ, the promised anointed prophet, priest, and king. Then Paul says “Christ died for sins.” As I showed last week from 2 Corinthians 5:21, God “made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” He was our substitutionary sacrifice. He bore the penalty for our sin that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Our sin was imputed to Christ on the cross and His righteousness is imputed to us when we believe. And don’t miss the phrase “according to the Scriptures.” Jesus’ sinless life and His atoning death fulfill the prophecies of scripture in the Old Testament. Isaiah 53, Psalm 22 and many others foretell the death of Christ for sins.  

2) “and that He was buried” – Jesus really died. He didn’t just swoon and then somehow recovered in the cool, dark tomb. He was dead for portions of three days. A large stone was rolled over the entrance to His tomb. It was sealed and guarded. The Jews and Romans made sure that no one could have stolen the body or faked a resurrection.

3) “and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” — The Scriptures prophesied that the Messiah would be raised from the dead. In his sermon on the day of Pentecost, Peter quoted from Psalm 16 and showed how David referred to Christ: “For You will not leave my soul in Hades, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.” (see Acts 2:24-32). Here in 1 Corinthians 15, Paul refers to Christ’s resurrection as the “first fruits” (15:20, 23). In the Old Testament, the first fruits were presented to God on the day following the Sabbath after Passover (Lev. 23:9-14). Jesus died as our Passover lamb on the Jewish Passover and His resurrection on the day after the Sabbath fulfills this scripture. Other Old Testament Scriptures, when read in their context, clearly refer to the death and resurrection of Christ (Ps. 22:22ff. with Heb. 2:12; Isa. 53:10-12; Jonah, with Matt. 12:38-41). Jesus Himself predicted several times that He would be killed and raised up on the third day (Matt. 16:21; 17:9, 23; 20:19; 27:63; John 2:19). The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus are the gospel.

So if you’re one of those people–and there are a lot of them today–very nice people that say, “I love the ethical teachings of Jesus. I just don’t believe all that stuff about Him being the Son of God and raised from the dead.” That isn’t the Jesus offered in the gospel. If you want to be saved you’re going to believe these things: Jesus is Messiah and He died for our sins; and He was buried; and He was raised again on the third day; all according to Scripture. Paul is saying to the Corinthians, “How did you miss this?” You believed this message for salvation; how is it that you missed the resurrected Christ?

So Paul has shown the importance of the gospel and the message of the gospel. Next he gives evidence of …

C. The witnesses for the Gospel (1 Cor. 15:5-8)

Paul lists a number of people who saw the risen Savior. None of these were expecting a resurrection, especially not Paul. The sheer number of witnesses (500 at one time!) argues against the possibility of hallucination. Many of these eyewitnesses were still alive when Paul wrote this letter. The message of the gospel could be verified by them. The moral integrity of the witnesses—men who gave the world its highest moral teaching—precludes the possibility of fabrication. To doubt the resurrection of Jesus you have to say that all of these witnesses were deceived or deceivers. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a confirmed, historical fact.

And finally there is ….

D. The results of the Gospel (1 Cor. 15:9-11)

Paul mentions last his own transformation. He had been a persecutor of the church of God, but now he was pouring out his life on its behalf. We also know that Peter and the other apostles were transformed from depressed, fearful men after the crucifixion to joyful, courageous witnesses after the resurrection. It is hard to explain that change and their willingness to suffer for Christ even unto death, if they knew the resurrection to be a hoax. The resurrection changed Mary from a mourner into a messenger. It changed Thomas from a doubter into a believer. It changed Peter from a denier into a preacher. It changed James from an unbeliever to church leader. It changed Paul from a persecutor into a missionary.

And then there is the evidence of the changed lives of those who have believed through the witness of the apostles. The Corinthians had believed (15:11) and were transformed (6:9-11). Millions of others in every century and culture have testified to the life-changing power of the risen Savior.

The evidence for the resurrection of Christ is solid. It is the message of the gospel that saves. It fulfills prophecy. Eye-witnesses confirm it. The life-transforming testimony of the church confirm it. The truth of the gospel proves that there is a resurrection of the dead.

Now that Paul has given the overwhelming evidence of the truth of the gospel and Christ’s resurrection he then makes an argument for the resurrection of the dead from logic. He shows the absolute absurdity of denying the resurrection.

2. The Fallacy of Denying Resurrection (1 Cor. 15:12-19)

Paul writes to those who denied the resurrection of the dead (1 Cor. 15:13), “But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen.” Then he goes on to show the logical fallacy of this statement. If Christ has not been raised then several things logically follow:

A. The gospel is empty (1 Cor. 15:14)

Paul says, “And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty” (1 Cor. 15:14). “Empty” means vain, fruitless, meaningless, devoid of truth. If Christ was not raised from the dead, then the gospel is false; it is emptied of truth. Furthermore, since the apostles preached Christ crucified, buried, and raised again from the dead, their ministry would be empty if Christ did not actually rise from the grave (1 Cor. 15:14). It would be in vain in the sense that these men risked their lives and made monumental sacrifices for a message that was false and which had no saving power. Both the gospel message and the apostles’ ministry would be worthless.

B. Faith is empty (1 Cor. 15:14, 17)

1 Corinthians 15:14, “… and your faith is also empty.” Not only would the apostles’ preaching topple if the resurrection of Christ had not occurred, but the faith of those who believed their message would also worthless. The gospel Paul preached at Corinth is the gospel which proclaimed Christ’s resurrection. It is also the gospel the Corinthians received, by which they are being saved, and in which they stand (1 Cor. 15:1-2). If Christ did not rise from the dead, their faith is without foundation; it is empty and useless.

C. We are false witnesses (1 Cor. 15:15)

“Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up–if in fact the dead do not rise.” If the gospel they have been preaching is a false gospel, then the apostles are actually in serious trouble with God. They are “false witnesses.” They have misrepresented God, making false claims about Him by proclaiming that He raised the Lord Jesus from the dead. They have defamed God. They are not only liars, they are blaspheming liars. They would be false prophets (Deuteronomy 13 and 18:14-22) if Christ had not risen from the dead.

D. You are still in your sins (1 Cor. 15:16-17)

“For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!” If Christ is not risen their faith worthless, for they have trusted in a dead man, a man who staked the integrity of His ministry and message on His resurrection (see Matthew 12:38-40; 27:62-64). If Christ was not raised from the dead, then His death on Calvary was meaningless. Take away the resurrection and you pull the rug out from under the atoning work of our Lord. It is not merely His death, but His death, burial, and resurrection which saves sinners. To deny the resurrection of our Lord is to say Christ’s death meant nothing. Therefore, your sins were not atoned. There is no forgiveness.

E. The dead have perished (1 Cor. 15:18)

“Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.” There is hope beyond the grave, if Christ is not raised. They are dead and gone. Those who die have perished. You will never see them again.

Finally Paul says …

F. Christians are to be pitied (1 Cor. 15:19)

“If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable” Paul says: If the dead are not raised – if this life of risk and sacrifice is my only life – I am a fool. A pitiable fool. What are we all doing here today? Why not just give up? What’s the bottom line if Jesus is not risen? Paul gives it in 1 Cor. 15:32: “If the dead do not rise, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!”” In other words, live for yourself and for pleasure now, because that’s all there is. In this sad state of affairs, brought about if Christ did not rise, Christians should be pitied for their stupidity.

Conclusion

The argument Paul plays out in verses 12-19 is a purely theoretical one. His “If … then …” argument was simply to show the folly of rejecting the resurrection of the dead, a claim which directly contradicts the resurrection of Christ from the dead. Paul already proved the truth of the gospel in verses 1-11. And so he concludes in 1 Cor. 15:20, “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” In other words, what happened to our Lord is sure to happen to those who have fallen asleep, those who have died trusting in Him. In the Old Testament, the “first fruits” are the first offspring or crop to be obtained by the farmer. It was proof that there was more to come. Christ’s resurrection is our proof that more resurrections will follow.

Therefore the opposite of all these fallacies are true. Christ is risen! He is not dead. He is alive and will come again. The dead in Christ will be raised. Which means, first, our preaching of the gospel is not vain, “it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes” (Rom. 1:16). Second, your faith is not futile, for you have placed your faith in Christ who is alive and reigning in power at the right hand of God. Third, we are not false witnesses; we are proclaiming the most important truth that person can ever tell to another. Fourth, you are not in your sins but Christ paid for them with His own blood on the cross and you are forgiven—there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:1). Fifth, those who have died in Christ have not perished. We know where they are and we will be reunited with them. Someday you may hear the Richard Sipes is no more. Don’t believe it! Jesus is the first fruits of those who are raised. He is the promise and the guarantee of a great harvest of souls at the day of resurrection. I will be there, more alive than ever!  And sixth, don’t pity me. I am not deceived, deluded or insane. All our self-denial, all our obedience, all our persecutions are worth it, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Cor. 4:17). The Christian life is not one to be pitied; it is one to be envied!

Christ is risen. All these things are true. Have you believed it? The Bible says, “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). Saved from sin. Saved from judgment. Saved from hell. Saved to forgiveness. Saved to a new life in Christ. Saved to a sure hope of heaven. For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved” (Rom. 10:13). You have heard the gospel of Christ. Call on Him today and He will save you now.

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