Luke 24:01-24 The Resurrection of Christ

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Text: Luke 24:1-24.

Introduction

1. On March 4, the Discovery Channel aired a documentary entitled “The Lost Tomb of Jesus.”
2. This film was directed by Simcha Jacobovici and produced by James Cameron.
3. This documentary focuses on a tomb that was discovered in 1980 near Jerusalem.
4. The thrust of the documentary is that this tomb could contain the remains of Jesus of Nazareth.
5. Tonight, we will discuss the arguments set forth by the documentary and see if they are valid.
6. This morning we are going to discuss the Biblical account of what happened to Jesus after His death.

Body

1. Why is it such a big deal?
   1. If Jesus did not rise from the dead then He was either a liar or a lunatic.
      1. Matthew 16:21
      2. John 14:1-4
      3. John 16:7
   2. The resurrection fulfills prophecy.
      1. Genesis 3:14-15
      2. Daniel 7:13-14.
      3. If Jesus hadn’t risen from the dead, Satan would win.
      4. 1 Corinthians 15:17.
   3. Without the resurrection, Jesus is not the Son of God. Romans 1:1-4
2. The reality of the resurrection.
   1. When proving the resurrection is a reality to one who does not believe, we must go to the historical evidence and there is an abundance of it.
   2. There are several facts that are granted by both believer and infidel.
      1. Both grant that a man named Jesus lived.
      2. Both grant that he rose to great heights of prominence, particularly among the common people.
      3. Both grant that he suffered the crucifixi0n of the Roman Cross, and was thought to be dead when he was taken from the cross.
      4. Both grant that his body was buried in the new tomb of Joseph of Arimathaea.
      5. Both grant that a great stone was laid at the mouth of the tomb.
      6. Both grant that the seal of the Roman Governor was affixed thereto.
      7. Both grant that a Roman guard consisting from fifteen to sixty men was stationed about the tomb.
      8. Both grant that sometime after the third morning the body of Jesus disappeared.
      9. Both grant that his disciples came to believe with unshakable confidence that their Lord had been raised from the tomb by the power of God.
   3. A battle rages over what happened to the body of Christ.
      1. Some say that Jesus never really died.
         1. Imagine the torture he had been through on the cross.
         2. Then he would have to move the stone.
         3. Then he would have to get by 15 to 60 guards in this weakened condition.
         4. Furthermore, the Roman soldiers were confident that he was dead. John 19:31,37
         5. It was against Roman law to remove a body from the cross until the death of the person was obvious and certain.
      2. Some say the body was removed by Jesus’ enemies.
         1. No motive!
         2. Jesus body was right where they wanted it to be. Matthew 27:62-66
         3. They claimed the disciples stole it. Matthew 28:11-15
         4. They could have produced Christ’s body and destroyed Christianity forever.
      3. Some say the disciples moved the body.
         1. This is what the Roman guards said.
         2. How did they know the disciples took it if they were asleep.
         3. They should have been put to death under Roman Law but they were not.
         4. Maybe one guard could have fell asleep but all 15-60?
         5. Why would the apostles be willing to die for a cause that they knew to be a lie?
      4. Some believe that Jesus was raised by the power of God.
         1. This is the only other alternative.
         2. The body of Christ was raised by the power of God.
      5. In regard to options 2 & 3…
         1. These two arguments are especially relevant to the Lost Tomb of Jesus documentary.
         2. If Jesus had a family tomb in Jerusalem, it would have been known.
         3. Christianity would have failed right out of the starting blocks.
         4. But it didn’t.
         5. This is perhaps the most devastating argument against the whole Jesus family tomb theory.
3. The Resurrection Requires a Response.
   1. One might respond by unbelief.
      1. Like the Sadducees. Matthew 22:23.
      2. They didn’t believe in the general resurrection or the resurrection of Christ.
      3. Many still believe this despite the evidence.
   2. One might be converted.
      1. Saul of Tarsus.
      2. He went to Damascus to bind and kill Christians but he left preaching the gospel of Christ.
      3. Previously, he had been a Champion of the Jews!

Conclusion

1. The resurrection of Christ truly is the crowning miracle of Christianity!
2. Once one sees that the resurrection is a reality, all other miracles must be accepted.
3. The resurrection was also required.
4. The resurrection also requires a response. How will you respond?
5. Offer Invitation.
   

(Delivered on: March 11, 2007. Streetsboro)