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The ancient historian, Luke, records for us the encounter of two disciples with a stranger on the road to Emmaus. These two disciples were walking the eleven kilometres from Jerusalem to Emmaus, downcast because Jesus had died, and with him, all their hopes and dreams. They had been convinced that this Jesus of Nazareth, who they recognised as “a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people” (Luke 24:19), was the One “who was going to redeem Israel” (Luke 24:21). They had heard reports from some women that Jesus had risen from the dead. But they knew that was impossible.
Then the “Stranger” firmly but tenderly rebuked their lack of faith:
Then Jesus said to them, “O foolish ones, how slow are your hearts to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and then to enter His glory?”
Luke 24:25-26
Not only had the death of the Lord Jesus been foretold by the Old Testament prophets and the Lord Jesus Himself, but so had His resurrection from the dead. The Gospels record not only that Jesus foretold His resurrection, but record that the disciples didn’t understand it at the time.
Not only were these two disciples downhearted, we find ten of Christ’s apostles hiding in a locked upper room for fear that the Jews who had conspired to have Pilate crucify Jesus would be coming for them next. Jesus appears to these apostles and offers them peace (John 20:19), but “doubting” Thomas was not present at that time.
But eight days later, the Lord appears to them once more and gives Thomas undeniable evidence of the reality of His physical, bodily resurrection (John 20:26-27), and Thomas falls before Jesus and answers, “My Lord and my God!” (v. 28).
Within six weeks, these fearful apostles started turning the world upside down with their fearless preaching. On the Day of Pentecost, Peter stood in Jerusalem, the very city where Jesus was crucified, and confronted the people there with these powerful words:
Men of Israel, listen to this message: Jesus of Nazareth was a man certified by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs, which God did among you through Him, as you yourselves know. 23 He was delivered up by God’s set plan and foreknowledge, and you, by the hands of the lawless, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross. 24 But God raised Him from the dead, releasing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for Him to be held in its clutches.
Acts 2:22-32
25 David says about Him:
‘I saw the Lord always before me;
because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will dwell in hope,
27 because You will not abandon my soul to Hades,
nor will You let Your Holy One see decay.
28 You have made known to me the paths of life;
You will fill me with joy in Your presence.’
29 Brothers, I can tell you with confidence that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that He would place one of his descendants on his throne. 31 Foreseeing this, David spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that He was not abandoned to Hades, nor did His body see decay. 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, to which we are all witnesses.
Why is the resurrection of the Lord Jesus glorious?
His resurrection gloriously demonstrates that He had power over death:
But God raised Him from the dead, releasing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for Him to be held in its clutches.
Acts 2:24
His resurrection gloriously demonstrates that Jesus truly is the Son of God. Paul summarises some of the essential features of the gospel message this way:
…the gospel of God 2 which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.
Romans 1:1-4
His resurrection gloriously demonstrates that God had accepted the death of Christ as full and final payment for the sins of those who believe in Him:
Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, 24 but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.
Romans 4:23-25
His resurrection gloriously demonstrates that there is forgiveness of sins through faith in the Lord Jesus:
Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; 39 and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.
Acts 13:38-39
His resurrection gloriously demonstrates that God grants new birth and a living hope to those who trust in the Lord Jesus:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
1 Peter 1:3-5
His resurrection gloriously demonstrates that there is coming a day in which this world will be judged by the Lord Jesus:
Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, 31 because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”
Acts 17:30-31
His resurrection gloriously demonstrates that those who believe in the Lord Jesus will one day share in His resurrection:
And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, 14 knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you.
2 Corinthians 4:13-14
Let me leave with you with one last quote from the Apostle Peter:
“Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: 9 If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, 10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. 11 This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Acts 4:8-12