By Tyshawn Gardner, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biblical and Religious Studies, Samford University
The Resurrection of Jesus
Luke 24:1–8, 38–43
There is life after death! Jesus rose from the dead. The cross, which was thought to have the final word, was defeated in the resurrection of Christ.
The resurrection is the single most important event in the life of the Christian. The resurrection is tied to the crucifixion. However, the Apostle Paul contends, “ … if Christ is not raised from the dead, our preaching is useless and so is our faith” (1 Cor. 15:14). Thanks be to God, we have victory over death through the resurrection of Jesus.
The empty tomb points to the resurrection of Jesus. (1–6a)
Throughout human history, the bodies that have been deposited in graves remain there. However, when Jesus was buried, His followers found an empty tomb the very next day.
Though many theories abound concerning the empty tomb, only one fact remains: Jesus Christ is risen from the dead.
The empty tomb also points out that those who trust in Christ will also rise from their graves by the same Spirit that raised Jesus. Thank God the tomb was empty, and so shall ours be one day!
Jesus foretold His resurrection. (6b–8)
Jesus knew His true identity. He also knew what the Old Testament testified about Him. He foretold of His resurrection through His trust in God’s plan. The Word of God is true and steadfast. In His life, Jesus proved over and over again that His words could be trusted.
Those who followed Him should have known that what He testified of about His resurrection could also be trusted. When the disciples saw the empty tomb they remembered how Jesus foretold His resurrection.
What has Jesus said about Himself concerning our lives that we have yet to believe? He also testified that He is “the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6).
In like manner He said, “I have come that they might have life, and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). We can rest in everything Jesus testifies about Himself. He foretold His resurrection and He also foretold ours.
The disciples saw Jesus after His resurrection. (38–43)
Though no one saw Jesus rise from the dead, the disciples saw the resurrected Christ after He had been brutally murdered on the cross.
This is our proof. Even in persecution and various threats to their lives, the disciples could not contain the message of His resurrection, simply because they saw the risen Lord for themselves. The disciples went about preaching and writing about the resurrected Christ as trustworthy witnesses.
Though we have not seen Christ in the flesh, we can be His witnesses, because He promised us the Spirit that raised Him from the dead.
Let us also testify about His power and love, and the great victory we have through His resurrection.
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