Lesson 13.The Risen Lord
The Resurrection of Christ: Foundation of Christian Faith and Hope

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of the Christian faith and the central event that brings together the entire story of salvation. In this lesson, we examine the crucial moments after the resurrection: the first encounters of the risen Lord with His disciples and the significance of His commission to spread the Gospel to all the world. Despite the initial doubt and unbelief of the disciples, the encounter with the living Christ transformed them into bold witnesses. We are invited to anchor this message of hope and victory over death in our lives and to carry it out into the world. The resurrection is not only a historical fact but also the source of our faith, our hope, and our mission today.

13.1 Rejoicing in the Resurrection
Hope and New Life in Christ

Read Mark 15:42–16:6. What happens here and why is this story so significant for the resurrection account?

In Mark 15:42–16:6, the decisive moment of Jesus’ resurrection is described. It begins with the burial of Jesus, which was hurriedly carried out before the start of the Sabbath, and culminates in the discovery of the empty tomb on early Sunday morning. The women who had come to anoint Jesus’ body with spices found the tomb empty and were informed by an angel that Jesus had risen.

This story is highly significant for the resurrection account because it represents the central element of the Christian faith: death does not have the final word. Through Jesus’ resurrection, the promise of eternal life and the overcoming of death becomes a reality. Without the resurrection, the Gospel would be incomplete.

Interestingly, all the Gospels emphasize that Jesus died on a Friday and rose on a Sunday. This chronology is the origin of the Sunday resurrection celebration in Christianity, which has been recognized by early Christians since the second century. However, the New Testament itself does not mandate a specific sanctification of Sunday. Instead, it underscores the importance of the resurrection and the victory over death as fundamental aspects of faith, regardless of a particular day of the week. The sanctification of Sunday later developed as a tradition within the Christian community.

In summary: The resurrection is not only the climax of the biblical narrative but also the foundation of the Christian faith. It emphasizes God’s victory over death and gives substance to the hope of eternal life.

Read Colossians 2:10–12. What is the New Testament remembrance of Jesus’ resurrection?

In Colossians 2:10-12, a deep spiritual connection is established between Jesus’ resurrection and baptism. Paul describes that we are buried with Christ in baptism and raised to a new life with Him. This image illustrates that the New Testament remembrance of Jesus’ resurrection is not tied to a specific day of the week but is expressed through baptism.

Baptism symbolizes the burial of our old life and the resurrection to a new life in Christ. This is the central remembrance of Jesus’ victory over death and sin. Paul emphasizes that through baptism, we participate not only in Jesus’ death but also in His resurrection—a new life begins.

Romans 6:4 aptly summarizes this: “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Here we see that baptism is the biblical symbol for the resurrection and not the sanctification of a specific day.

Even though Sunday worship may be theologically debated, the joy over Jesus’ resurrection remains undeniable and of central importance. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus defeated death and gave us the assurance of eternal life. This is also evident in 1 Peter 1:3: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

This living hope gives us the certainty that death is not the end. Peter’s assurance is based on the fact that Jesus lives and, through His resurrection, has paved the way for our redemption. We can also have this certainty when we live in His death and resurrection, symbolized by baptism.

The connection between Jesus’ resurrection and our daily lives as well as our faith is profound and central to the Christian experience. The joy over Jesus’ resurrection and the hope that springs from it directly impact our daily conduct and our relationship with God.

1. New Perspective on Life: Jesus’ resurrection gives us the assurance that death is not the end but the beginning of a new, eternal life with God. This realization changes how we live our daily lives. It gives us courage and confidence to overcome difficulties and challenges because we know that life extends beyond death and that God has the final victory.

2. Hope and Joy in Daily Life: Through Jesus’ resurrection, we have a living hope that gives us strength even in difficult times. This hope enables us to live with joy and gratitude, regardless of circumstances, because we know that Christ has defeated death and that we have a secure future in Him. This hope keeps us strong in faith and encourages us to seek God’s presence in every situation.

3. Connection to Baptism and Spiritual Renewal: Baptism, as Paul describes in Colossians 2:10–12 and Romans 6:4, is the outward sign of our inner spiritual renewal. Through baptism, we symbolically participate in Jesus’ death and resurrection. This means leaving behind our old, sinful life and walking in a new life in Christ. This spiritual renewal should also be reflected in our daily lives—through a life of love, forgiveness, and following Christ.

4. Victory Over Sin and Death: The resurrection reminds us that Christ has not only overcome physical death but also the power of sin. In our daily lives, we can live in the power of this victory by remembering daily that we have been freed from sin through Jesus and are allowed to walk in a new life. This freedom means we are no longer held captive by our mistakes and weaknesses but live in God’s grace and forgiveness.

5. Certainty of Eternal Life: The resurrection gives us not only hope for this life but also certainty for life after death. This certainty gives us the strength to live our lives in the light of eternity and encourages us to focus on things of lasting value—love, justice, and our relationship with God.

In summary, Jesus’ resurrection and the associated hope for new life should shape our daily attitudes, thoughts, and actions. We are invited to live in the joy and peace of Christ, made possible by His victory over death and sin, and thus fill our daily lives with hope, confidence, and love.

Jesus’ resurrection gives us today the assurance that every challenge can be overcome in a new life full of hope and joy.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-13-the-risen-lord-13-1-rejoicing-in-the-resurrection-the-book-of-mark-living-faith/

September 22, 2024

DAILY BIBLE READING – Luke Chapter 10

¹ After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.

² Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

³ Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.

⁴ Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.

⁵ And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.

⁶ And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.

⁷ And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.

⁸ And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:

⁹ And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.

¹⁰ But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,

¹¹ Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.

¹² But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.

¹³ Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.

¹⁴ But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you.

¹⁵ And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.

¹⁶ He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.

¹⁷ And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.

¹⁸ And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

¹⁹ Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

²⁰ Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

²¹ In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.

²² All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.

²³ And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:

²⁴ For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

²⁵ And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

²⁶ He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?

²⁷ And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

²⁸ And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

²⁹ But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?

³⁰ And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

³¹ And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

³² And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.

³³ But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,

³⁴ And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

³⁵ And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

³⁶ Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?

³⁷ And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

³⁸ Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

³⁹ And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.

⁴⁰ But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

⁴¹ And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

⁴² But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

King James Version. Public Domain

 

Commentary

Introduction:

Luke Chapter 10 describes a pivotal event in Jesus’ ministry, where He sends out 72 disciples to proclaim the Gospel. This mission serves as a profound example of obedience, trust in God, and the essence of Christian discipleship. Jesus emphasizes that the disciples are being sent out like lambs among wolves and that while the harvest is plentiful, the workers are few. This mission is not just a lesson in dedication and self-sacrifice, but also a model for following Christ. The chapter also covers the challenges faced by the cities of Chorazin and Bethsaida, the famous parable of the Good Samaritan, and the significant encounter with Mary and Martha, which underscores the importance of setting the right priorities in life.

Commentary:

Luke 10 highlights the urgency and risks involved in spreading the Gospel. Jesus sends His disciples with the instruction to rely on God’s providence and simplicity. He reminds them that their joy should not be found in the success of their work, but in the assurance of their salvation. The challenge of living like lambs among wolves underscores the need for courage and trust in God’s protection. The woes pronounced over the Galilean cities remind us that disbelief carries consequences, while the parable of the Good Samaritan calls us to live out the law of love. Serving one’s neighbor is the highest form of love that Jesus teaches, and it transcends ethnic and social boundaries.

In the story of Mary and Martha, a deeper lesson is taught: It is not only important to serve Jesus but also to be present with Him and listen to His teachings. This highlights the inner priorities of faith and devotion.

Summary:

Luke 10 teaches us that proclaiming the Gospel is not just a task but a calling that requires dedication and trust in God. Jesus sends His disciples into the world to announce the Kingdom of God and reminds them that despite difficulties, they should trust in God’s peace and provision. The warnings to the cities and the parable of the Good Samaritan emphasize the importance of repentance and love for others. Finally, the story of Mary and Martha underscores the necessity of setting the right priorities in the presence of Jesus—balancing action with quiet devotion.

 

 

Introduction:

In Chapter 65, we witness a pivotal event from the life of Jesus, where He once again cleanses the temple of unholy business dealings. This scene highlights the sanctity of the temple as a place of worship and demonstrates Jesus’ commitment to true worship. At the same time, Jesus reveals Himself as the divine King and Judge, fighting against hypocrisy and corruption in the temple, while the Jewish leaders grow increasingly hostile towards Him.

Commentary:

The cleansing of the temple is a powerful symbol of purity and respect in worship. Jesus demonstrates that true worship is not about outward rituals, but about obedience and a sincere heart. By driving out the merchants and healing the sick within the temple, He reveals the contrast between His mission of healing and the greed of the religious leaders. This act of Jesus serves as a profound warning to all believers not to honor God merely through rituals, but through lives that embody love, justice, and compassion. The hypocrisy of the priests, who rejected Jesus’ authority, is an example of how the religious elite can reject spiritual truths.

Summary:

The second cleansing of the temple underscores Jesus’ role as the divine King and Judge, who purifies the temple of corruption and restores it as a place of true worship. His actions show that God values obedience and a sincere heart over ritual sacrifices. The response of the religious leaders, who opposed Him, symbolizes the rejection of divine truth and serves as a serious warning. Jesus’ parables, such as the one about the cornerstone, call for repentance and illustrate that Christ is the central foundation of our faith—the rock upon which we must build.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/22-09-2024-luke-chapter-10-believe-his-prophets/