Bible Study - Special Easter Lesson - HE is Risen - Luke 24:1-6, 36-40 - April 16, 2017

Bible Study – Special Easter Lesson – HE is Risen! – April 16, 2017

This is a special Easter Lesson.

Our focus scripture is Luke 24:1-6, 36-40.

The resurrection of JESUS is a fact you can build your life on.

It is a fact that when a person places his or her faith in JESUS, GOD confirms that fact and guarantees it by the indwelling Holy Spirit that he or she is GOD’S Son or Daughter through the miracle of rebirth in his or her Spirit.

Let’s read Luke 24:1-6a:

Resurrection Morning

1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared.

JESUS was buried on Friday before sundown, 6 PM. Then there was Saturday, the second day and then Sunday, the third day. Any portion of a day was considered “a day,” thus JESUS was raised from the dead on the third day. Of course, the Jewish Sabbath was on Saturday and the seventh day of the week. 

Thus, the first day of the week was Sunday, which is the day Christians worship the LORD JESUS.

Let’s drop back to consider what Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, Jewish religious leaders and secret followers of JESUS, had done to help slow down the decay process until Sunday when the body of JESUS could be properly prepared for preservation.

In John 19:38-42:

Jesus' Burial

38 After this (after the Romans were sure that JESUS was dead), 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 – John Chapter 3) also came, bringing a mixture of about 75 pounds = 12 ounces of myrrh and aloes. [Other translations range from 75-100 pounds and just refer to a mixture 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.

Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus had put 75 pounds of embalming material on the bloody body of JESUS and quickly placed a linen cloth around HIM.  Typically a linen napkin was placed over the deceased face in addition to the linen cloth. Scientists are still trying to link the Shroud of Turin to the linens used to wrap the body of JESUS.

The ladies likely thought the men would not be as detailed as they would, so the ladies planned to prepare their own mixture of spices and complete the burial process out of love and respect for JESUS. GOD knew exactly what they would do. It is so neat that women discovered the empty tomb.

In that day women were considered just slightly above the status of cattle, except in the eyes of JESUS. The first to discover the empty tomb and the resurrection of JESUS were women. The Bible reveals truth.

In Luke 23 we learn - 55 The women who had come with Him (JESUS) from Galilee followed along and observed the tomb and how His body was placed.

56 Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.

Now, we need to explore who “they” were.

Mark gives us a more detailed list of the women who visited the tomb in Mark 16:1-8:

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

Luke added “Joanna” the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household. 

Matthew identified “Salome” as the “mother of Zebedee’s children.” Mary the mother of James also identified as the wife of Cleopas or Alphaeus, also who was the sister of Mary the mother of JESUS, also referred to as the other Mary. 

[Cleopas was one of the men who JESUS walked with on the way to Emmaus after HIS resurrection.]

2 Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they went to the tomb at sunrise.

3 They were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone from the entrance to the tomb for us?"

4 Looking up, they observed that the stone-which was very large-had been rolled away.

5 When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; they were amazed and alarmed.

6 "Don't be alarmed," he told them. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has been resurrected! He is not here! See the place where they put Him.

7 But go, tell His disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see Him there just as He told you.' "

I think it is so special “go tell --- and Peter.” JESUS reaches out to all of us who have been sifted by Satan. JESUS understands and when we repent, HE forgives and restores.

8 So they went out and started running from the tomb, because trembling and astonishment overwhelmed them. And they said nothing to anyone, since they were afraid.

[Appearances of the Risen Lord – Mark 16, Verses, 9-13, are not in the earliest manuscripts. Therefore, I stopped with verse 8. ]

Back to our focus scripture - Luke 24:2-6a:

We know from the Mark 16 scripture that the ladies were concerned how they were going to roll the stone away from the entrance to the tomb of JESUS. Guess what? Let's read on ----

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.

These two men were angels. Angels are messengers of GOD. It is interesting that angels announced the birth of JESUS and they announced HIS resurrection!

It is also interesting, when we are perplexed regarding spiritual matters, GOD responds. Seek HIM and the fullness of HIM in your life.

5 So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground. "Why are you looking for the living among the dead?" asked the men.

6 a. "He is not here, but He has been resurrected!

WOW! Surprise! Surprise! But what had they missed? The angels were perplexed that they did not recall what JESUS had taught regarding HIS resurrection.

As the old saying goes, hind-sight is 20/20. Many of us need to have the facts put together for us and the Holy Spirit can do that. That is why we study GOD’S Word and talk to HIM in prayer but just as important we must listen and put into action what HE reveals to us. The key is that it is put together for us as we build upon what we know. It is like growing as a child; learning to know GOD through faith in JESUS is on an ever ascending scale as Christians build their relationship on the solid foundation of truth.

Matthew 7:7-11:

7 "Keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you.

8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

9 What man among you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?

10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?

11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

GOD is eager to have a loving intimate relationship with you. Trust HIM!

Ask, seek and we will find, knock and it will be opened. No question is too hard for GOD. Ask HIM and look for HIS response. It is awesome!

The disciples thought JESUS was going to be an earthly King. Making up our minds based upon faulty notions leads to faulty conclusions. Do you remember the scripture we had a few weeks ago – GOD hides some things until they accomplish HIS plan and purpose as recorded in 1 Corinthians 2:8:

8 None of the rulers of this age knew it, for if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

Let’s read Luke 24:6b-8: (The angel continues to speak.)

6 b. 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.

The angels reminded the ladies what JESUS had told them. They remembered HIS words. What do we often say? “Oh, yea, now I remember.”

Now, let’s fast forward to JESUS revealing Himself to HIS disciples.

Let’s read Luke 24:36-40:

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!"

We can only imagine this event. The disciples were discussing the recent events regarding the sightings of JESUS. How were they to understand them? All of a sudden JESUS appeared in the room with them. I think that would shock and stun most of us and the disciples were not different as we continue to read ---

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?

JESUS quickly puts their minds at ease. It is vital that those you wish to teach calm down, listen and hopefully understand what you are saying.

In essence, JESUS was saying “didn’t you guys hear anything I taught you? Let’s review.”

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."

JESUS, in essence, said, “I am not a ghost because ghosts do not have flesh and bones. Touch ME to prove to yourself that I am real. Notice JESUS did not mention “blood.” Why do you think he omitted a reference to blood? Could it be that human life is in the blood whereas the life for our Glorified bodies is in the Spirit, which is eternal?  

40 Having said this, He showed them His hands and feet.

JESUS wanted them to know what HIS and their Glorified body was capable of doing. Our Glorified body will be totally at our command. It will be capable of being incognito, walk through solid structures or choose to open the door, eat, transport from one place to another. How do I know that? Examine the scripture and what JESUS was capable of doing after HIS resurrection.

Why doesn’t every Christian get his or her Glorified body the instant he or she exits his or her earth suit?

I think we know. Would it be a temptation for the departed to return to earth after their transfer to Heaven? If we be-bopped between earth and Heaven, what would those remaining upon earth want to do?  That is correct. Those still remaining upon earth would want their Glorified body and do all these neat things.

That is NOT GOD’S plan for life upon earth. Those who know the truth are to share truth with those with whom they come into contact. Share the light you have with others and live such that your life will be savory to draw others to your life in JESUS. JESUS said Christians are the salt of the earth. Salt makes us thirsty and we seek water. May our lives lead others to the living water that only faith in JESUS can provide. The living water is the only water that can satisfy and quench our Spiritual thirst.

Christians serve a risen Savior. Because JESUS lives, our faith in HIM guarantees our resurrection and eternal life through faith in JESUS. There is no better time to place your faith in JESUS than this Easter. HE died just for you and issues a call to you to accept HIM as your Savior and make HIM the LORD of your life. Make Easter truly a HAPPY EASTER by experiencing the miracle of rebirth in your spirit! Blessings!!!