Pastor’s Table Blog

Pastor David Hentschel

9/1/24

“The Resurrection of the Son of God.”

After 9 months and 40 sermons, covering 24 chapters and 1,151 verses, we have completed our study of the Gospel of Luke. The story of Jesus ends with a climactic ending: The Resurrection of the Son of God!

The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of the Christian faith, yet it’s often misunderstood or overlooked. Even popular portrayals, like Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ, focus heavily on the suffering and death of Jesus but leave the resurrection almost as an afterthought. Similarly, The Jefferson Bible, a controversial work by Thomas Jefferson, completely excludes the resurrection, ending with Jesus’ death and burial. But without the resurrection, our faith is incomplete. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15, that if we erase this central doctrine, our preaching is useless, and our faith is in vain. The resurrection is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. Gary Habermas says, “As long as we’re sure that Jesus is the Son of God, who died on the cross for our sins and was raised from the dead, Christianity follows…” Are these things true?

Luke 24 brings us to the glorious culmination of Jesus' earthly ministry, highlighting four significant events: The Empty Tomb, The Emmaus Road, The Upper Room, and The Great Commission.

1) The Empty Tomb (Luke 24:1-12)

Early on the first day of the week, a group of women went to Jesus' tomb to anoint His body, only to find the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. They were perplexed and terrified, but two men in dazzling apparel appeared and reminded them of Jesus' words, that He must be crucified and on the third day rise again. The empty tomb is not just an empty promise; it is the evidence that Jesus has conquered death. The women were the first witnesses to this miraculous event, and their initial reaction of confusion turned to joy as they realized the marvelous truth: Jesus is alive!

Debunking the Swoon Theory

The swoon theory suggests that Jesus didn’t actually die on the cross but merely fell unconscious ("swooned") and later revived in the tomb. However, this theory fails to account for the brutal nature of Roman crucifixion. Roman soldiers were experts in execution, and they verified Jesus’ death by piercing His side with a spear, causing blood and water to flow out, indicating a separation of bodily fluids consistent with death. Furthermore, the idea that a severely beaten and crucified man could somehow unwrap Himself from burial linens, roll away a massive stone, overcome Roman guards, and appear to His followers as a triumphant, resurrected Savior defies logic and contradicts historical and medical understanding.

Debunking the Stolen Body Theory

The stolen body theory claims that Jesus' disciples stole His body to fabricate the resurrection story. However, this theory is highly implausible for several reasons. First, the tomb was secured by a large stone and guarded by Roman soldiers, making it nearly impossible for anyone to steal the body without detection. Second, the disciples were initially scared and in hiding after Jesus’ crucifixion, not in a state of mind or spirit to plan such a heist. Finally, all but one of the disciples were eventually martyred for their unwavering belief in the resurrection. It is inconceivable that they would willingly suffer and die for something they knew was a lie.

2) The Emmaus Road (Luke 24:13-35)

Later that same day, two of Jesus' followers were walking to Emmaus, discussing everything that had happened. Jesus Himself drew near and began to walk with them, though they were kept from recognizing Him. As they talked, Jesus opened the Scriptures to them, explaining how all the prophecies pointed to His suffering and resurrection. When He broke bread with them, their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him, but He vanished from their sight. Reflecting on this encounter, they marveled at how their hearts burned within them as He spoke. It was a marvelous revelation of Jesus' identity and mission, hidden in plain sight.

3) The Upper Room (Luke 24:36-49)

As the disciples gathered in the upper room, discussing the day's events, Jesus suddenly appeared among them. At first, they were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. But Jesus reassured them by showing His hands and feet and eating a piece of broiled fish. He then opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, reminding them that everything written about Him in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled. This moment was not only a reassurance but a marvelous fulfillment of God’s promises, giving the disciples a clear understanding of their mission moving forward.

Debunking the Hallucinations Theory

The hallucination theory posits that the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus were merely hallucinations experienced by His followers. However, hallucinations are individual, subjective experiences, usually tied to a person's psychological state. They cannot be experienced by multiple people in the same way at the same time. The Bible records numerous appearances of Jesus to different groups of people in various settings over forty days—over 500 people at one time, according to Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:6. Such a collective experience cannot be explained by hallucinations, which are by nature personal and isolated events.

Debunking the Symbolic Resurrection Theory

The symbolic resurrection theory suggests that the resurrection of Jesus was not a literal, physical event but rather a metaphorical or spiritual experience meant to convey deeper truths. This view, however, contradicts the clear and consistent accounts of the New Testament, which emphasize the physicality of Jesus' resurrection. The disciples touched His wounds, He ate with them, and He was seen alive by many. Additionally, the early church preached the resurrection as a literal event that validated Jesus' divinity and the promise of eternal life. A symbolic resurrection would not have had the power to transform a group of disheartened followers into bold proclaimers of the gospel, willing to face persecution and death.

4) The Great Commission (Luke 24:50-53)

The chapter concludes with Jesus leading His disciples to Bethany, where He blessed them and was taken up into heaven. This moment marked the beginning of the disciples' mission to proclaim the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection to all nations. They returned to Jerusalem with great joy, continually in the temple, praising God. The commission they received was both a charge and a promise—a marvelous mandate that would empower them to spread the gospel throughout the world.

Conclusion: How Marvelous!

The word that sums up the disciples’ reaction to these events is "marvelous." They marveled at the empty tomb, the revelation on the Emmaus road, the miraculous appearance in the upper room, and the command to spread the good news. The resurrection is marvelous in every way—confirming Jesus' victory over death, fulfilling God's promises, and commissioning His followers to go into all the world. As we reflect on these events, may we also marvel at the truth of the resurrection and let it transform our lives.

Recommended Resource:

Gary Habermas provides a thorough refutation of this theory in his book The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus, co-authored with Michael Licona.