Bible Study - Foundation - Jesus Rose from the Dead - Matthew 28 and 28 and Luke 24 - April 8, 2012

Bible Study – Foundation – Jesus Rose from the Dead – April 8, 2012

This is lesson two (2) in our series entitled “Foundations of Our Faith.”

Our scripture is Matthew 27:45-46, 50-54, 57-Matthew 28:20; Luke 24:13-16, 32-33, 35.

True confession is good for the soul. I goofed in last week’s lesson. I copied the scripture for Matthew 26:45-46, 50-54 instead the scripture from Matthew 27. But I trust the LORD in all things. This week, we will explore Matthew 27:45-46 and 50-54 in addition to our regular planned scripture.

The death and resurrection of JESUS is the very foundation of the Christian faith. I questioned HIS death and resurrection in my Spiritual journey. Was JESUS really dead or was it a big cover up? Later, I will review some of my journey in exploring this question and conclusion, at least to my satisfaction.

The timeline for the crucifixion of JESUS:

Thursday night after sunset

-          JESUS was arrested by the temple police in the Garden of Gethsemane.

-         JESUS stood before Annas, the former high priest.

-         JESUS was brought before Caiaphas, the current high priest.

-         JESUS was tried and condemned by the Sanhedrin for blasphemy, which was punishable by death. The Jews could not put a person to death but the Romans could.

-         JESUS was taken before Pontius Pilot. Pilot found HIM innocent and sent HIM to Herod. Herod wanted to meet HIM and then sent HIM back to Pilot.

-         This brings us to Friday morning sunrise.

-         Pilot offered the crowd Barabbas in place of JESUS. They chose Barabbas to be released and JESUS to be crucified.  Pilot declared JESUS guilty and sentenced HIM to die via crucifixion.

-         JESUS was taken to Golgotha where the Roman soldiers nailed HIM to the cross. Crucifixion was a horrible death. The victim basically suffocated. 

-         About 9:00 AM JESUS was crucified.

-         About noon, darkness came over the whole area until about 3:00 PM. This brings us to our scripture.

Let’s read Matthew 27:45-46 and 50-54:

45 From noon until three in the afternoon w Lit From the sixth hour to the ninth hour darkness came over the whole land.x Or whole earthyMk 15:33-41; Lk 23:44-49; Jn 19:28-30
46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Elí, Elí, lemáz Some mss read lama; other mss read limasabachtháni?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsakena Or abandonedMe?”bPs 22:1; Heb 5:7c

You can hear and feel the agony in the loud cry of JESUS. Here is the point where JESUS took upon Himself the sins of the world. The Apostle Paul gives us a glimpse of what was taking place in 2 Corinthians 5:21 - 21 He (GOD) made the One (JESUS) who did not know sin n1Jn 3:5 to be sin o Or be a sin offering for us,pRm 8:3; Gl 3:13; 1Pt 2:24 so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

JESUS became sin and GOD cannot look upon sin. I believe this was the most agonizing moment JESUS had ever experienced. I believe even at this point JESUS could have decided that this was just too much and decide not to go through the process of death for sinners. After all, HE was GOD incarnate and HIS home was in heaven. But think about it, if HE had terminated the death process, HE would have sinned and there would not be a redemptive plan for HIM or the lost people of earth.

The salvation of mankind was in the hands of JESUS. GOD had turned HIS face from JESUS for the first time ever. Some do not believe GOD turned HIS face from JESUS and that is possible. It might have been that JESUS becoming sin became a barrier between JESUS and HIS Father for the first time. That would be equally frightening. What ever it was, JESUS believed that HIS Father had abandoned HIM. JESUS knew this in an instant. It was a defining moment. Would HE continue to trust the Father even though HE had turned HIS face or sin had placed a barrier between them or would HE take matters into HIS own hands and call more than 12 legions of angels to come to HIS rescue? HE chose to give HIS life to pay for the sins of the world and to trust the Father, so that all who will believe in HIM will have freedom from the bondage of sin and death, receive eternal life and the miracle of rebirth.

John 3:16-17 puts it in perspective - 16 “For God loved hJn 12:43; 1Co 13:1; Gl 2:20; Col 1:13; 3:12; 1Th 1:4; 2Th 2:13,16; 1Jn 4:7-12; Jd 1 the world •inThis is a phrase used only by Jesus to testify to the certainty and importance of His words; in Mt, Mk, and Lk it is literally Amen, I say to you; in Jn it is literally Amen, amen, I say to you. this way:i The Gk word houtos, commonly translated in Jn 3:16 as “so” or “so much” occurs over 200 times in the NT. Almost without exception it is an adverb of manner, not degree (for example, see Mt 1:18). It only means “so much” when modifying an adjective (see Gl 3:3; Rv 16:18). Manner seems primarily in view in Jn 3:16, which explains the HCSB‘s rendering. He gave His •OneOr one of a kind, or incomparable, or only begotten; the Greek word can refer to someone's only child as in Lk 7:12; 8:42; 9:38. It can also refer to someone's special child as in Heb 11:17. and Only j1Jn 4:9 Son,kJn 5:19; Heb 1:2 so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.lJn 12:25; Rm 5:8; 1Jn 3:16; 4:9-10
17 For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn mJn 8:11 the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.

GOD had to make HIS ONLY SON to be sin for the salvation of all who would believe upon HIM. HE would have given HIS life just for you. If you had been the only person in the history of mankind to accept HIM as your Savior, HE would have died just for you. That is as personal as it gets. Salvation is personal and individual.

Let’s read Matthew 27:50-54:Ps 22:1

50 Jesus shouted again with a loud voice and gave up His spirit.eMk 15:37; Lk 23:46; Jn 10:18; 19:30
51 Suddenly, the curtain of the sanctuary f A heavy curtain separated the inner room of the temple from the outer.gEx 26:31-33; 2Ch 3:14; Heb 9:3 was split in two from top to bottom; the earth quaked and the rocks were split.
52 The tombs were also opened hEzk 37:12 and many bodies of the •saintsThe work of the Holy Spirit that separates believers in Jesus from the world; at the time of saving faith in Jesus, the believer is made a saint; therefore, all believers are saints. The believer participates with the Spirit in a process of transformation that continues until glorification. The goal of sanctification is progressive conformity to the image of Jesus Christ. who had fallen •asleepA term used in reference to believers who have died were raised.
53 And they came out of the tombs after His resurrection, entered the holy city, and appeared to many.
54 When the •centurionA Roman officer who commanded about 100 soldiers and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they were terrified and said, “This man really was God’s Son!”i Or the Son of Godj 

Verse 50 makes it clear that JESUS gave up HIS Spirit. HE had full control and possession of HIS life to give it or not to pay the sin debt. JESUS had to fully trust the Father with HIS life and HIS resurrection. JESUS knows how it feels to trust your life to GOD. The resurrection is proof that GOD is trustworthy to see you safely home to heaven and to dwell with HIM for eternity. Now that is worthy of a SHOUT!!!

Notice the events that suddenly took place. The curtain that separated the Holy of Holies from the people in the temple was split from top to bottom. Why did it split from top to bottom? It was because GOD split it to reveal that JESUS had paid the penalty for sin and sin no longer blocked direct access of the individual from GOD. GOD hears the cry of a sinner for salvation. Once a person receives salvation, Christians are free to approach GOD 24/7 without having to go through a priest. The graves opened and some of the dead were resurrected after JESUS was resurrected. JESUS was the first to be resurrected. Colossians 1:18 - 18 He (JESUS) is also the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning,mGn 1:1; Mk 1:1; Jn 1:1; Ac 26:4 the firstborn from the dead,nAc 26:23; 1Co 15:20,23; Rv 1:5 so that He might come to have first place in everything.

JESUS was pierced in HIS side with a spear to make sure HE was dead. Water and blood came out. Once the Romans were sure that HE was dead, Joseph of Arimathea claimed HIS body. Notice that Nicodemus joined him in the burial of JESUS.  Let’s read John 19:38-40:

38 After bMt 27:57-60; Mk 15:42-46; Lk 23:50-54 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.cLk 12:4; Jn 2:21 Pilate gave him permission, so he came and took His body away.
39 Nicodemus dJn 3:1-9; 7:50 (who had previously come to Him at night) also came, bringing a mixture of about 75 pounds e Lit 100 litrai; a Roman litrai = 12 ounces of myrrh and aloes.
40 Then they took Jesus’ body fJn 2:21; 19:40 and wrapped it in linen cloths gJn 20:5 with the aromatic spices, according to the burial hMk 14:8 custom of the Jews.

This scripture helped me in the exploring the death of JESUS. Seventy-five pounds of myrrh, aloes and aromatic spices were placed on JESUS and then they wrapped HIM up with them. That is a lot of stuff on a body. Plus, it was Jewish leaders who were silent followers of JESUS that had buried HIS body. Yes, HE was dead and the tomb was sealed. Later, I will give more regarding my journey.

Let’s read Matthew 27:62-66:

62 The next day, which followed the preparation day, the chief priests and the •PhariseesA religious sect of Judaism that followed the whole written and oral law gathered before Pilate qMk 15:42; Lk 23:54; Jn 19:14,31,42
63 and said, “Sir, we remember that while this deceiver was still alive He said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’rMt 16:21; 17:22-23; 20:19; Mk 8:31; 10:34; Lk 9:22; 18:33
64 Therefore give orders that the tomb be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, His disciples sMt 10:1, 26:56; Mk 3:7; 16:20; Lk 6:13; Jn 12:16 may come, steal Him, and tell the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead.’ Then the last deception will be worse than the first.”
65 “You have t Or “Take a guard of soldiers,”u It is uncertain whether this guard consisted of temple police or Roman soldiers. Pilate told them. “Go and make it as secure as you know how.”
66 Then they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting the guard.v Lit stone with the guardw

Now here is where it gets fuzzy. If JESUS died and was buried on Friday, the next day would be the Sabbath and I don’t think they would be going to the authorities. Bible scholars believe that the preparation day was the same day as Passover or Thursday, which would mean the next day, would be Friday the day JESUS was crucified. JESUS was buried but immediately following HIS burial, the Jewish leaders were partitioning Pilot to secure the tomb. Pilot told them to secure it themselves. They had the temple guards that were under their authority. So the tomb was secured. This likely took place before sundown on Friday.

Our next scripture goes to the empty tomb on Sunday morning.

Let’s read Matthew 28:5-8:

5 But the angel told the women, “Don’t be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified.dMt 14:27; 28:10; Rv 1:17
6 He is not here! For He has been resurrected, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay.eMt 12:40; 16:21; 27:63
7 Then go quickly and tell His disciples,fMt 10:1; n 12:16 ‘ He has been raised from the dead. In fact, He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see Him there.’ Listen, I have told you.”gMt 26:32; Mk 16:7
8 So, departing quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell His disciples the news.

It is very interesting and important that women discovered the empty tomb. In that day it was a man’s world and the resurrection was the most terrific event in the history of the world. Women were the first to receive the Good News of JESUS’ resurrection from the dead.

Who were these women? They were according to:

-         Mark 16:1 - 1 When the Sabbath was over, •Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so they could go and anoint Him.

They saw an angel. The angel calmed their fears and invited them into the empty tomb and told them that JESUS had been raised from the dead. There seems to be a sense of urgency in the voice of the angel. The ladies had to be excited and possibly perplexed. They quickly left the tomb to tell the disciples the Good News.

JESUS appeared to over 500 people after HIS resurrection, as the Apostle Paul wrote about in 1 Corinthians 15:3b-8:

-         that Christ died f1Co 8:11 for our sins according to the Scriptures,gMt 26:54; 1Pt 1:20
4 that He was buried,hMt 27:59-60; Mk 15:46; Lk 23:53; Jn 19:41-42 that He was raised on the third day i1Th 4:14 according to the Scriptures,jPs 16:10; Isa 53:10; Hs 6:2; Mt 12:40; Jn 2:22; Ac 2:25-32; 13:33-35; 26:22-23
5 and that He appeared to •CephasThe Aramaic word for rock; it is parallel to the Greek word petros from which the English name Peter is derived.,kLk 24:34 then to the Twelve.lMk 16:14; Lk 24:36; Jn 20:19,26; Ac 10:41
6 Then He appeared to over 500 brothers at one time;mMt 28:10-20 most of them are still alive, but some have fallen •asleepA term used in reference to believers who have died.
7 Then He appeared to James,nJms 1:1 then to all the apostles.oAc 1:3-11
8 Last of all, as to one abnormally born,p Or one whose birth was unusual, Heq1Tm 1:13-16 He also appeared to me.rAc 9:1-8

As you read this next scripture, think about HIS Glorified body and what HE was able to do with it – be known or not, appear and disappear, open a door or walk through the unopened door. HE has complete control over HIS body. This is just a few things Christians will be able to do with their Glorified bodies, which they will receive after the second coming of CHRIST.

Let’s read Luke 24:13-16, 32-33 and 35 (Focus verses)

The Emmaus Disciples

13 Now tMk 16:12-13 that same day two of them (disciples, other than the original eleven.) were on their way to a village called u Lit village, which name is Emmaus, which was about seven miles v Lit about 60 stadia; 1 stadion = 600 feetwRv 21:16 from Jerusalem.xMt 23:37; Ac 8:1
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 theyy Lit their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him.zLk 9:45; 18:34; Jn 20:14-15; 21:4
17 Then He asked them, “What is this dispute that you’re havinga Lit What are these words that you are exchangingwith each other as you are walking?” And they stopped walking and looked 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?”bAc 26:26
19 “What things?” He asked them. So they said to Him, “The things concerning Jesus the •NazareneA person from Nazareth; growing up in Nazareth was an aspect of the Messiah's humble beginnings.,cLk 4:34; 18:37; Ac 2:22 who was a Prophet dDt 18:15; Lk 4:24 powerful in action and speech eLk 4:14; Ac 1:1; 2:22 before God and all the people,fLk 18:43
20 and how our •chiefA group of Jewish temple officers that included the high priest, captain of the temple, temple overseers, and treasurers priests and leaders gLk 23:13 handed Him over to be sentenced to death,hLk 9:44; 18:32; Ac 3:13; 13:27-28 and they crucified Him.iLk 23:21,25; Ac 5:30
21 But we were hoping that He was the One who was about to •redeemLiterally Sea of ReedsjLk 22:20; Ac 1:6 Israel. Besides all this, it’s the third day kLk 9:22; 13:32; 18:33 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.”lLk 24:12; Jn 20:2-10
25 He said to them, “How unwise and slow you are to believe in your hearts all that the prophets have spoken!mLk 16:31; 18:31; Ac 26:27; 2Pt 1:21
26 Didn’t the •MessiahOr the Christ; the Greek word is Christos and means the anointed one. Where the NT emphasizes Christos as a name of our Lord or has a Gentile context, "Christ" is used. Where the NT Christos has a Jewish context, the title "Messiah" is used. have to suffer nLk 24:44-48; 1Co 15:3-5 these things and enter into His glory?”oLk 9:26,32; 21:27; 22:69; Ac 2:33; 7:55; 22:11
27 Then beginning with Moses pGn 3:15; 12:3; 22:18; Nm 21:9; 24:17 and all the Prophets,q2Sa 7:12-16; Isa 7:14; 9:6; 52:13-53:12; Jr 23:5-6; Dn 7:13-14; Mc 5:2; Zch 9:9; 12:10 He interpreted for them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.rLk 16:16
28 They came near the village where they were going, and He gave the impression that He was going farther.sMk 6:48
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 tLk 9:16; 22:19 it, and gave it to them.
31 Then their eyes were opened,u2Kg 6:17; Lk 24:16 and they recognized Him, but He disappeared from their sight.vJn 20:19,26
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 wAc 17:3; 1Co 15:3-8 to us?”
33 That very hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem. They found the Eleven xLk 24:9 and those with them gathered together,
34 who said,y Gk is specific that this refers to the Eleven and those with them. “The Lord has certainly been raised, and has appeared to Simon!”zLk 22:32; 1Co 15:4-5
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.a

Is this enough evidence to convince you that JESUS really died and was resurrected by GOD? I will share with you some of the scripture that helped me to confirm JESUS’ death and resurrection.

Probably the number one convincing factor for me was reflected in the attitude of JESUS’ brothers before and after HIS crucifixion.

John 7:2-5: (Attitude of JESUS’ brothers before JESUS’ Death and Resurrection.)

Jn 5:18
2 The Jewish Festival of Tabernacles e Or Boothsf One of 3 great Jewish religious festivals, along with Passover and Pentecost; Ex 23:14; Dt 16:16gEx 23:16 was near,
3 so His brothers hMk 3:21,31-35; 6:3; Lk 8:19 said to Him, “Leave here and go to Judea so Your disciples can see Your works iMk 6:28; Heb 3:9; Rv 15:3 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 (Attitude of JESUS’ brothers after HIS death, resurrection and ascension into heaven to sit at the right-hand of HIS Father.)

12 Then they returned (This was after the ascension of JESUS into heaven.) to Jerusalem from the mount called the Mount of Olives, which is near Jerusalem —a Sabbath day’s journey away.
13 When they arrived, they went to the roomlAc 9:37,39; 20:8 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.mMt 10:2-4; Mk 3:16-19; Lk 6:14-16

14 All these were continually united nAc 2:46; 4:24; 5:12; 15:25; Rm 15:6 in prayer,o Other mss add and petition along with the women, including Mary p Or prayer, with their wives and Mary the mother of Jesus, and His brothers.q

They were waiting on the Holy Spirit to come. JESUS’ brothers became believers because of the resurrection. James went on to become the head of the Christian church in Jerusalem.

Consider the Apostle Peter. He denied JESUS three times. He repented. He returned to fishing. He had no reason to give his life to promote a lie. The Holy Spirit arrived on the day of Pentecost. In the power and the anointing of the Holy Spirit, Peter preached a sermon that resulted in 3,000 converts to Christianity.

All of the eleven disciples gave their lives for their faith in CHRIST. The Apostle Paul met with the Apostle Peter and James the brother of JESUS after his conversion on the road to Damascus. Galatians 1:18-19:

18 Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem gAc 9:26 to get to know •CephasThe Aramaic word for rock; it is parallel to the Greek word petros from which the English name Peter is derived.,h Other mss read PeteriJn 1:42 and I stayed with him 15 days.
19 But I didn’t see any of the other apostles except James,jJd 1 the Lord’s brother.

This was another confirming factor. Paul was a brilliant man. I think he was checking the facts before he committed his life in full service to GOD through his relationship with CHRIST. There is nothing wrong with exploring the facts and coming to your own conclusion about CHRIST as long as you search for truth. This to me is what it means when the Bible tells us to work out our own salvation. It isn’t working for our salvation but exploring the facts of salvation in concert with the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will lead you to a conclusion that is personal and solid.

The Holy Spirit confirms our faith in CHRIST. A person must take the step of faith to receive CHRIST as his/her Savior before it is confirmed. Have you taken that step of faith? If not, Easter is a great day to make that decision. It is a matter of where you will spend eternity. Blessings!