Our senior pastor, Josh Harris, spoke on Luke 24Luke 24
[24:1]But on the first day of the week, at early dawn,
they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared.
[2]And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb,
[3]but when they went in they did not find the body of the
Lord Jesus. [4]While they were perplexed about this,
behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. [5]And
as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the
ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living
among the dead? [6]He is not here, but has risen. Remember
how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, [7]that the
Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men
and be crucified and on the third day rise." [8]And they
remembered his words, [9]and returning from the tomb they
told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.
[10]Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the
mother of James and the other women with them who told
these things to the apostles, [11]but these words seemed to
them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. [12]But
Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he
saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home
marveling at what had happened.
[13]That very day two of them were going to a village
named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, [14]and
they were talking with each other about all these things
that had happened. [15]While they were talking and
discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with
them. [16]But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.
[17]And he said to them, "What is this conversation that
you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they
stood still, looking sad. [18]Then one of them, named
Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only visitor to
Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened
there in these days?" [19]And he said to them, "What
things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of
Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word
before God and all the people, [20]and how our chief
priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to
death, and crucified him. [21]But we had hoped that he was
the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is
now the third day since these things happened.
[22]Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They
were at the tomb early in the morning, [23]and when they
did not find his body, they came back saying that they had
even seen a vision of angels, who said that 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 him they did not
see." [25]And he said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of
heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! [26]Was
it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things
and enter into his glory?" [27]And beginning with Moses and
all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the
Scriptures the things concerning himself.
[28]So they drew near to the village to which they were
going. He acted as if he were going farther, [29]but they
urged him strongly, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward
evening and the day is now far spent." So he went in to
stay with them. [30]When he was at table with them, he took
the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them.
[31]And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him.
And he vanished from their sight. [32]They said to each
other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked
to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?"
[33]And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem.
And they found the eleven and those who were with them
gathered together, [34]saying, "The Lord has risen indeed,
and has appeared to Simon!" [35]Then they told what had
happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the
breaking of the bread.
[36]As they were talking about these things, Jesus
himself stood among them, and said to them, "Peace to you!"
[37]But they were startled and frightened and thought they
saw a spirit. [38]And he said to them, "Why are you
troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? [39]See
my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and
see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see
that I have." [40]And when he had said this, he showed them
his hands and his feet. [41]And while they still
disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them,
"Have you anything here to eat?" [42]They gave him a piece
of broiled fish, [43]and he took it and ate before them.
[44]Then he said to 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 and the Prophets and
the Psalms must be fulfilled." [45]Then he opened their
minds to understand the Scriptures, [46]and said to them,
"Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on
the third day rise from the dead, [47]and that repentance
and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to
all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. [48]You are
witnesses of these things. [49]And behold, I am sending the
promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until
you are clothed with power from on high."
[50]Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting
up his hands he blessed them. [51]While he blessed them, he
parted from them and was carried up into heaven. [52]And
they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great
joy, [53]and were continually in the temple blessing God.
(ESV)
yesterday at our church. His insightful preaching on this passage provoked some of these thoughts.
What were the days following Jesus’ resurrection like for the first disciples?
Jesus had died, and he was dead no longer. Just as He promised, He had overcome death, the last enemy. But what did it all mean?
Surely, it took time for them to fully comprehend the whirlwind of events that had taken place the previous week. Before He returned to his Father, Jesus helped His followers to realize some of the implications. ( Lk. 24:27Luke 24:27
[27]And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he
interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things
concerning himself. (ESV)
) His death and resurrection were no aberration in God’s plan. They WERE the plan. ( Lk. 24:26Luke 24:26
[26]Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer
these things and enter into his glory?" (ESV)
) God had accepted Jesus’ payment for the sins of His people. Animal sacrifices were no longer necessary. ( 1 Cor. 15:171 Corinthians 15:17
[17]And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is
futile and you are still in your sins. (ESV)
) Jesus’ resurrection assured us that those He had redeemed would also receive glorified bodies on the last day. ( 1 Cor. 15:201 Corinthians 15:20
[20]But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead,
the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. (ESV)
) His defeat of the grave anticipated the time when all of creation would be “set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.” ( Rom. 8:21Romans 8:21
[21]that the creation itself will be set free from its
bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory
of the children of God. (ESV)
)
The resurrection of Jesus Christ, as with many biblical doctrines, has both an objective and a subjective element. Both are important. Theology (study) must be married to doxology (praise). Notwithstanding recurring attempts to disprove the bodily resurrection of Jesus, it remains an undeniable truth and essential element of biblical Christianity. However, it is not merely history that we dissect, study, and discuss. It is meant to change our lives.
Many people will move on from Easter Sunday to an ordinary Monday, unaware of the significance of all they heard about the previous day. They’ll continue to fight sin in their own strength, think the meaning of life lies somewhere outside God’s provision in Christ, and battle a nagging fear of death. The resurrection will fade into the white noise of their lives, making no discernible impact.
Let’s not make the same mistake.
We sang a song yesterday morning, written by Kevin Hartnett, a member of our church, that helps express both the truth of the resurrection and our response to it.
He Is Risen From the Dead
Verse 1
Spread the glad truth far and wide
Christ once dead is now alive
God the Son nailed to a cross
Rose from death to save the lost
For men He was crucified
Wrath for sins there satisfied
“Do not fear” the angels said
“He is risen from the dead!”
Chorus
He is risen! Hail our living head
He is risen! Grace unmerited
He is risen! Let the news be spread
Christ is risen from the dead!
Verse 2
O the wonder of this fact
We’re included in His act
Death in Christ marked Sin’s demise
Joined with Him, we now arise
Debt to carnal life is through
Spirit-born we’re creatures new
Jesus conquered in our stead
“He is risen from the dead!”
Verse 3
Where, O death, now is your sting
Christ triumphant lives as King
Souls gripped tight in Satan’s grasp
By God’s grace are free at last
Fear has now been taken slave
Christ is Master o’er the grave
Hopeless tears no longer shed
“He is risen from the dead!”
He Is Risen From The Dead Words by Kevin Hartnett. Music by Bob Kauflin. Copyright 2003 Sovereign Grace Praise, a division of Sovereign Grace Music.
"Souls gripped tight in Satan’s grasp by God’s grace are free at last." Let the reality of our Savior’s empty tomb fill you with great joy, hope, and peace today. And every day.
UPDATE: A simple demo of this song can be found here.
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on Monday, April 17th, 2006 at 10:10 am and is filed under
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