The Story of the Resurrection: Part 2 (Luke 24:36-39)
In yesterday's lesson, we began listing a group of passages in the Gospels that describe events surrounding the death of Jesus, events that in their straightforward and unembellished naturalness commend the credibility of the Resurrection story. Following are a few more passages in the same vein.
What essential message is found in these verses? What key point do all of them have in common? (Matt. 28, Mark 16, Luke 24:10-44).
Although the above list does not carry any reference from John, all four Gospels cover the Resurrection in considerable detail.
Why do you think that is so? What is so important about the Resurrection to our faith?
"The historic faith of the Church has agreed with St. Paul: 'If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile' (1 Cor. 15:17). All other Christian doctrines are dependent upon the proclamation of the resurrection: the significance of Christmas lies in the fact that the child who was born is the one whom God raised from the dead; Good Friday is only the anniversary of one more martyrdom, unless he who died is the one who rose again; the institution of the Lord's Supper in the Church would have been unthinkable, had not the Lord been known to the faithful in the breaking of bread"—Alan Richardson, ed., "Resurrection of Christ," A Dictionary of Christian Theology (Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1969), p. 290.
In the texts for today, we see the power of Jesus' resurrection, both physically and spiritually. He broke the shackles of the tomb; the Roman seals gave way; the grave burst open. And He declares today: "'I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever!" (Rev. 1:18, NIV). If you were asked to say in 10 words or less what the Resurrection means to you, what might those words be?
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