READING • JOHN 20
The empty tomb changed everything
The Gospel does not end with the death of Jesus. On the first day of the week his followers discovered that the tomb was empty. God had raised His Son from the dead. The resurrection confirmed the truth of the Gospel and became the foundation of the apostles' preaching and of the Christian hope.
The empty tomb
Early on the first day of the week, women who had followed Jesus came to the tomb with spices they had prepared. They expected to find his body there. Instead, the stone had been moved and the tomb was empty. The message they received was astonishing:
“Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen.”
Luke 24:5-6 (excerpt) • King James Version
The women reported what had happened. The Gospel records show that the disciples did not immediately understand or accept the news. Peter and another disciple went to the tomb and found the linen clothes there, but no body (John 20:3-10).
Mary Magdalene sees Jesus
Mary Magdalene remained near the tomb, weeping. At first, when Jesus spoke to her, she supposed that he was the gardener. Then he called her by name: “Mary.” She recognised him and realised that the Lord whom she had seen die was alive again (John 20:11-18).
The resurrection was not presented as something the disciples expected because they were naturally hopeful. On the contrary, the Gospel accounts repeatedly show surprise, fear and initial unbelief. They became convinced because they believed they had encountered the risen Jesus.
Did Jesus really rise from the dead?
The resurrection is central to the Christian message. If Jesus remained dead, the Gospel would have no victory over death. The New Testament therefore gives several reasons for taking the resurrection seriously. We will consider four of them.
1. Jesus really died
The first explanation sometimes offered is that Jesus did not actually die, but recovered later. The Gospel records do not support this. John says that the soldiers found Jesus already dead (John 19:33). Mark records that Pilate checked the report of his death with the centurion before allowing the body to be buried (Mark 15:42-45).
A real death and a real resurrection
The New Testament claim is not that Jesus merely revived after a period of unconsciousness. It is that he truly died, was buried, and was raised from the dead by God.
2. The body was not in the tomb
Matthew records that a story was circulated claiming that the disciples had stolen the body while the guards slept (Matthew 28:11-15). Yet the Gospel accounts portray the disciples themselves as frightened and doubtful after the crucifixion. They were not expecting a resurrection and had to be convinced that Jesus was alive.
The empty tomb by itself would not prove the resurrection, but it is an important part of the evidence presented by the Gospels. The claim that Jesus had risen was made in Jerusalem, where the burial had taken place.
3. Jesus appeared bodily
The New Testament does not describe Jesus as a disembodied spirit after his resurrection. He showed the disciples his hands and his side; he invited Thomas to examine the evidence for himself (John 20:24-29). Luke records Jesus saying:
“Handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.”
Luke 24:39 (excerpt) • King James Version
Luke also records that Jesus ate in the presence of the disciples (Luke 24:41-43). The resurrection hope of the Bible is therefore bodily life, not survival as an invisible spirit.
4. The disciples were changed
Before the resurrection the disciples were fearful and confused. Afterwards, the book of Acts shows them publicly preaching that God had raised Jesus from the dead, even when this brought opposition and suffering. Their conviction was centred on what they believed God had done in raising His Son.
“Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.”
John 20:29 (excerpt) • King James Version
Jesus did not praise blind credulity. Thomas had received direct evidence; later disciples would depend on the testimony preserved in Scripture. John explains that his Gospel was written so that readers might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God (John 20:30-31).
Forty days with the disciples
After his resurrection Jesus continued to appear to his disciples. Acts 1:3 says that he showed himself alive “by many infallible proofs” and was seen by them during forty days, speaking of the things concerning the Kingdom of God. The risen Jesus therefore continued the same great subject that had marked his ministry before his death: the coming Kingdom.
Had the time for the Kingdom come?
The disciples naturally asked whether the restoration of the Kingdom was now about to happen. Their question and Jesus’ answer are important:
“Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?”
Acts 1:6 • King James Version
“It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.”
Acts 1:7 • King James Version
Jesus did not say that the promised Kingdom would never be restored. He told them that the timing belonged to the Father. Meanwhile, the disciples had work to do. They were to be witnesses of Jesus, carrying the Gospel from Jerusalem outward to the nations (Acts 1:8).
The ascension
Jesus then led the disciples out to the Mount of Olives. While they watched, he was taken up and a cloud received him out of their sight. Two angels then gave them a direct promise:
“Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”
Acts 1:11 • King James Version
“This same Jesus”
The promise is personal and definite. The Jesus who had risen bodily and ascended into heaven will return. His second coming is therefore inseparable from the resurrection and ascension: the one who is alive in heaven will come again to the earth.
Why the ascension matters
The ascension did not mean that Jesus ceased to be involved in God’s purpose. He is alive, exalted at God’s right hand, and the New Testament speaks of him as the one through whom believers approach the Father. His work will reach its next great stage when God sends him back to establish the Kingdom.
Jesus’ resurrection — and ours
The apostle Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 15 that the resurrection of Jesus is essential to the Christian hope. If Christ has not been raised, faith is empty and those who have died in Christ have no hope. But Paul immediately declares the opposite:
“But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.”
1 Corinthians 15:20 • King James Version
The word “firstfruits” points to the beginning of a harvest. Christ is the first to be raised to immortal life; others who belong to him will follow at his coming.
IN ADAM
IN CHRIST
Death entered through Adam.
Resurrection comes through Jesus Christ.
All human beings share mortality.
Those who belong to Christ have the hope of being made alive.
Our present life is corruptible and mortal.
The faithful will be changed to incorruption and immortality.
Adam’s family ends in death.
Christ opens the way to everlasting life in God’s Kingdom.
Who will be made alive?
Paul’s words must be read carefully. He does not teach that everyone will automatically receive everlasting life. He says that the resurrection has an order: Christ first, and afterwards “they that are Christ’s at his coming” (1 Corinthians 15:23). Belonging to Christ therefore matters.
The Gospel calls men and women to believe, repent and be baptized into Christ. Galatians 3:27 says, “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Baptism identifies the believer with the death and resurrection of Jesus and begins a new life of discipleship.
With what kind of body?
Paul also answers the question, “How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?” (1 Corinthians 15:35). The resurrection hope is not life as a ghost or spirit. The dead are raised, and those accepted by Christ are changed so that mortality gives way to immortality.
“For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.”
1 Corinthians 15:53 • King James Version
Our present bodies grow weak, suffer illness and die. Immortal life is different: those whom Christ accepts will no longer be subject to death. This is the victory God offers through His Son.
“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Corinthians 15:57 • King James Version
Why the resurrection and ascension matter to us
The resurrection is God’s answer to the apparent finality of death. Jesus died, but God raised him. The ascension tells us that the risen Jesus is alive in heaven; the promise of the angels tells us that he will return. Together these truths give shape to the Christian hope: forgiveness now, resurrection at Christ’s coming, and everlasting life in the Kingdom of God.
A living Lord and a living hope
Christian faith is not centred on a dead teacher whose work ended in the first century. It is centred on the risen Son of God. Because Jesus lives, his followers can look forward to his return and to the resurrection from the dead.
The message in one view
EVENT
WHAT GOD DID
WHY IT MATTERS
Death
Jesus truly died and was buried.
The sacrifice was real.
Resurrection
God raised Jesus from the dead.
Death was overcome in him.
Ascension
Jesus was taken into heaven.
He is alive and exalted.
Return
God will send this same Jesus again.
The Kingdom and resurrection hope will be fulfilled.
SUMMARY
1
Jesus truly rose from the dead.
The tomb was empty and the disciples testified that they saw the risen Lord.
2
His resurrection was bodily.
Jesus was not a disembodied spirit; he could be seen and touched.
3
Jesus ascended into heaven.
The risen Lord was taken from the disciples and is alive today.
4
He will return to the earth.
The angels promised that “this same Jesus” will come again.
5
His resurrection gives us hope.
Those who belong to Christ can be raised and, if accepted, receive immortal life.
6
The Gospel calls for a response.
We must believe, repent, be baptized into Christ and continue faithfully in his way.
Chapters to read
Acts 1; Matthew 28; Luke 24; 1 Corinthians 15
LEARN BY HEART • ACTS 2:24
“Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.”
Acts 2:24 • King James Version
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