You Have A Risen LORD! - Luke 24:1-53 - April 16,2006

Sunday School Lesson – You Have a Risen LORD! – April 16, 2006

This is lesson three (3) in our series “You Can Be a Witness.”

Our background scripture is Luke 24:1-53

Our focus scripture is John 19:38-42; Luke 24:1-49.

Let’s read John 19:38-42 (JESUS body is removed from the cross.)
Jesus’ Burial
38 After this, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus—but secretly because of his fear of the Jews—asked Pilate that he might remove Jesus’ body. Pilate gave him permission, so he came and took His body away. 39 Nicodemus (who had previously come to Him at night) also came, bringing a mixture of about 75 pounds[20] Lit 100 litrai; a Roman litrai = 12 ounces of myrrh and aloes. 40 Then they took Jesus’ body and wrapped it in linen cloths with the aromatic spices, according to the burial custom of the Jews. 41 There was a garden in the place where He was crucified. A new tomb was in the garden; no one had yet been placed in it. 42 They placed Jesus there because of the Jewish preparation and since the tomb was nearby.

There are several things in this scripture I think are interesting:
v Notice Nicodemus accompanies Joseph of Arimathea in the burial of JESUS. As you recall Nicodemus (John Chapter 3) is a member of the Sanhedrin. Since the scripture says that Joseph of Arimathea is a secret disciple, is Nicodemus also a secret disciple?
v Some try to say JESUS was not really dead. Just from a physical point-of-view, I think a body wrapped with 75 pounds of myrrh and aloes and additional aromatic spices is proof JESUS was dead.
v The fact that two (2) Jewish leaders were doing the burial again confirms that JESUS is very much dead.

The media today tries to discredit the fact that JESUS died.

Let’s examine a couple of other scriptures which to me confirm from a logic point-of-view that JESUS is WHO HE says HE is:

John 7:1-5: (JESUS’ brother’s attitude toward HIM before the crucifixion of JESUS.)
The Unbelief of Jesus’ Brothers
1 After this, Jesus traveled in Galilee, since He did not want to travel in Judea because the • Jews were trying to kill Him. 2 The Jewish Festival of Tabernacles[1] Or Booths [2] One of 3 great Jewish religious festivals, along with Passover and Pentecost; Ex 23:14; Dt 16:16 was near, 3 so His brothers said to Him, “Leave here and go to Judea so Your disciples can see Your works that You are doing. 4 For no one does anything in secret while he’s seeking public recognition. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.” 5 (For not even His brothers believed in Him.)

Acts 1:12-14: (After the crucifixion and resurrection of JESUS, HE appeared to over 500 (1 Corinthians 15:1-8) before HE ascended into heaven. Notice the last two (2) words in verse 14, HIS brothers. Not HIS disciples who have already been named but HIS brothers were present waiting for the HOLY SPIRIT.)

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olive Grove, which is near Jerusalem—a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13 When they arrived, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. 14 All these were continually united in prayer,[3] Other mss add and petition along with the women, including Mary[4] Or prayer, with their wives and Mary the mother of Jesus, and His brothers.

The resurrection made a difference to HIS brothers, before they denied HIM, after they acknowledged HIM. Paul, himself, after his conversion met with the Apostle Peter and James JESUS’ brother. I think Paul was checking out the facts. Paul was a Pharisee and was killing Christians before his conversion experience. Paul would not have committed his life to a false messiah and neither would the Apostles or JESUS’ brothers. James the brother of JESUS was the head of the Christian church in Jerusalem and the author of the Book of James and was later killed for the faith.

Galatians 1:18-19: (The Apostle Paul visits Peter and JESUS’ brother.)
18 Then after three years I (Paul) went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord's brother.

The HOLY SPIRIT confirms within every believer that CHRIST is THE MESSIAH.

We serve a risen SAVIOR!

Today’s lesson is, HE IS RISEN!!!!!!!! We celebrate the empty tomb.

When the women went to the tomb on that first Easter morning they went fully expecting to finish the embalming process. They carried spices.
Let’s read Luke 24:1-12:
Resurrection Morning
1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they[1] Other mss add and other women with them came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3 They went in but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothes. 5 So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground.[2] Lit and inclined their faces to the ground “Why are you looking for the living among the dead?” asked the men. 6 “He is not here, but He has been resurrected! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, 7 saying, ‘The • Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day’?” 8 And they remembered His words. 9 Returning from the tomb, they reported all these things to the Eleven and to all the rest. 10 • Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them were telling the apostles these things. 11 But these words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believe the women. 12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. When he stooped to look in, he saw only the linen cloths.[3] Other mss add lying there So he went home, amazed at what had happened.
The women had been at the crucifixion and they watched where they buried their LORD. They knew exactly where the tomb was located. They went to the tomb early in the morning to finish the embalming process.
Other gospels tell us that the ladies were concerned how they would roll back the heavy stone sealing the tomb. To their surprise the stone has been rolled away. They enter the tomb and it is empty. Then to their surprise they see 2 men in dazzling garments, who give them the exciting news. Angels announced HIS birth and they also announced HIS resurrection.
The most important question is raised by the angles, “Why are you looking for the living among the dead?” Then they remembered. We also must be reminded at times the things we have learned in the light which we have to practice in the dark. But as soon as they remembered, joy flooded through their souls. They ran as fast as their legs would take them to tell the good news to the 11 disciples. The disciples thought the women had lost their minds. So the men had to check it out with Peter who was the first to enter.
Let’s read Luke 24:13-35 for background, which gives us insight about the new glorified body of CHRIST, which we will have after the second coming of JESUS. HE could be incognito until HE wanted others to recognize HIM. HE had a normal looking body with arms, legs, etc. and HE could eat and drink. More about HIS body will be discussed after this upcoming section.

The Emmaus Disciples
13 Now that same day two of them (disciples) were on their way to a village called[4] Lit village, which name is Emmaus, which was about seven miles[5] Lit about 60 stadia; 1 stadion = 600 feet from Jerusalem. 14 Together they were discussing everything that had taken place. 15 And while they were discussing and arguing, Jesus Himself came near and began to walk along with them. 16 But they[6] Lit their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him. 17 Then He asked them, “What is this dispute that you’re having[7] Lit What are these words that you are exchanging with each other as you are walking?” And they stopped [walking and looked]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. discouraged. 18 The one named Cleopas answered Him, “Are You the only visitor in Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things that happened there in these days?” 19 “What things?” He asked them. So they said to Him, “The things concerning Jesus the • Nazarene, who was a Prophet powerful in action and speech before God and all the people, 20 and how our • chief priests and leaders handed Him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified Him. 21 But we were hoping that He was the One who was about to redeem Israel. Besides all this, it’s the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women from our group astounded us. They arrived early at the tomb, 23 and when they didn’t find His body, they came and reported that they had seen a vision of angels who said He was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they didn’t see Him.” 25 He said to them, “How unwise and slow you are to believe in your hearts all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Didn’t the • Messiah have to suffer these things and enter into His glory?” 27 Then beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted for them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. 28 They came near the village where they were going, and He gave the impression that He was going farther. 29 But they urged Him: “Stay with us, because it’s almost evening, and now the day is almost over.” So He went in to stay with them. 30 It was as He reclined at the table with them that He took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him, but He disappeared from their sight. 32 So they said to each other, “Weren’t our hearts ablaze within us while He was talking with us on the road and explaining the Scriptures to us?” 33 That very hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem. They found the Eleven and those with them gathered together, 34 who said,[8] Gk is specific that this refers to the Eleven and those with them. “The Lord has certainly been raised, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they began to describe what had happened on the road and how He was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Just think, are there times JESUS may be walking along with us and we do not even know it?
Let’s read Luke 24:36-43:
The Reality of the Risen Jesus
36 And as they were saying these things, He Himself stood among them. He said to them, “Peace to you!” 37 But they were startled and terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost. 38 “Why are you troubled?” He asked them. “And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Look at My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself! Touch Me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” 40 Having said this, He showed them His hands and feet. 41 But while they still could not believe[9] Or they still disbelieved because of [their]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. joy and were amazed, He asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish,[10] Other mss add and some honeycomb 43 and He took it and ate in their presence.

The two (2) men (disciples but not the original) found the eleven (11) disciples (original called by JESUS) and told them about their experience. Then all of a sudden, guess who shows up? JESUS!!!

JESUS does not knock on the door, HE just appears. The disciples’ immediate reactions are they think they are seeing a spirit or ghost. Jesus recognizes their fear and concern and invites them to touch HIM. This is to dispel any notion that HE is a ghost or spirit.

JESUS says something very important, “Touch Me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.”

Flesh and bones, HE does not say flesh, bones and blood. Our life as a human depends upon blood flowing through our body. Our life is in our blood. JESUS has shed HIS blood for us that we might have eternal life. Will our new glorified bodies have blood?

Think about this, life for our human body depends upon the heart pumping blood though it. We are dependant upon blood which makes us vulnerable. Life for our new glorified body will depend upon our re-born spirit not blood and it is eternal.

JESUS continues to put their minds at ease by asking for something to eat. So with our new glorified bodies we will be able to eat and some have speculated and not gain weight.

Let’s read Luke 24:44-49:

44 Then He told them, “These are My words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46 He also said to them, “This is what is written:[11] Other mss add and thus it was necessary that the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead the third day, 47 and repentance for[12] Other mss read repentance and forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And look, I am sending you[13] Lit upon you what My Father promised. As for you, stay in the city[14] Other mss add of Jerusalem until you are empowered[15] Lit clothed with power from on high.”

Go back to verse 27 and then to verse 44. JESUS confirms the prophecy about HIM is found in The Law of Moses (Not the many laws man created from the Law of Moses), the Prophets and Psalms. When HE pointed this out to them they understood. The disciples had an encounter with JESUS and we also can have an encounter with JESUS when we read scripture and HE reveals truth to us through THE HOLY SPIRIT.

JESUS instructs the disciples to wait in Jerusalem until THE FATHER sends THE HOLY SPIRIT. THE HOLY SPIRIT empowers us to serve the LORD, comforts us, reveals truth to us and enlightens us in the “eyes of our heart.”

CHRIST had to return to heaven in order for THE HOLY SPIRIT to return to dwell in the heart of every believer. CHRIST paid the price required by GOD for sin. HIS sacrifice purified the human body so THE HOLY SPIRIT could dwell in every believer’s heart. The act of asking CHRIST to forgive us of our sins and asking HIM to come into our life is an act of faith. This step of faith is the key that unlocks the door of our heart, cleanses us of all sin through the shed blood of CHRIST. This cleansing prepares our body as a HOLY place for THE HOLY SPIRIT to dwell. Many things happen when we ask CHRIST into our life. We are cleansed of all sin, born into GOD’S family through the miracle of re-birth, made righteous, receive eternal life, receive at least one gift of THE SPIRIT, a guarantee that our step of faith is true and confirmed by THE HOLY SPIRIT, given grace, pass from death to life at that moment to name a few.

Easter is a day for celebration! HE LIVES! Because HE LIVES, All who believe in HIM also live eternally with HIM. How do we know this? HE lives within our hearts and it is confirmed by THE HOLY SPIRIT.

Rejoice!!! HE is RISEN!!!!

If you have never asked CHRIST into your life do so now. Ask HIM to forgive you of your sins and to come into your heart right now and to make you the Christian HE wants you to be.