“HE IS NOT HERE, BUT IS RISEN”

by Pastor Mitch
April 08, 2012

The Fact Of A Risen Saviour

How do we really know that Jesus indeed resurrected from the dead? Luke recorded for us a wonderful passage that details this glorious fact of a risen Saviour.

1. The Evidence Of An Empty Tomb

“But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.” 
Luke 24:2-3

The first thing that was discovered by Mary Magdalene and company was the empty tomb of Jesus Christ. The stone that covered the tomb was rolled away and the body of the Lord Jesus was nowhere to be found. The gospel of Luke records for us the evidence of an empty tomb.

2. The Witness Of Angelic Beings

“Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen!” 
Luke 24:5-6

Angelic beings appeared to the women and gave an amazing statement. They questioned the women why they were looking for Jesus in the tomb. Did they not consider Jesus as being alive rather than dead as He had prophesied? The angels plainly stated to them that He was not dead but alive and well. He had risen from the dead.

3. The Fulfillment Of The Lord’s Prophetic Word

“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

The angels also commanded the women to remember the words that Jesus spoke to them concerning His death and resurrection. In the text of Luke 9:44, 11:29-30 and18:31-33, the Lord Jesus foretold of His suffering and His resurrection and all things specifically came true as prophesied by Him.

Opposing Responses To The Fact Of Christ’s Resurrection

1. Response Of Faith

“And they remembered His words. Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.” 
Luke 24:8-9

The female disciples of Jesus responded much better than the male disciples. They personally remembered the word as taught by the Lord Jesus. They were able to connect His word with reference to events that had just happened. They were able to see His death and His resurrection as prophesied by Him. They were deeply impacted by His words. They responded with faith by bearing witness to the other brethren about what had happened.

2. Response Of Unbelief

“And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them.” 
Luke 24:11

On the other hand, the disciples of Jesus, the apostles, responded to the words of the women with unbelief. They felt that their stories were nonsense and they did not believe. Even though Jesus had spoken to them several times about His resurrection, they still found it hard to exercise faith. Do you also struggle with unbelief concerning the Lord’s resurrection? Let’s seek to do something about it. Peter went to check things out after he heard the women’s witness (Luke 24:12). Let’s also seek to check things out until we are able to find certainty of faith.

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