(a) Explain the Lukan account of the Resurrection. (b) State three lessons that can be derived from this episode.

Answer Details

(a) The Lukan account of the Resurrection (Luke 24)

• On the first day of the week, at early dawn, the women who had followed Jesus from Galilee came to the tomb bringing the spices they had prepared.
• They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, and on going in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
• While they were perplexed, two men in dazzling apparel (angels) stood by them. The frightened women bowed their faces to the ground.
• The angels said, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen." They reminded the women that Jesus had foretold in Galilee that the Son of Man must be crucified and on the third day rise again.
• The women remembered His words and returned to tell the eleven and the rest. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Joanna and Mary the mother of James, but their words seemed to the apostles as an idle tale, and they did not believe.
• Peter, however, ran to the tomb, stooped and saw the linen cloths by themselves, and went home wondering.
• That same day the risen Jesus appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus, was made known to them in the breaking of bread, and later appeared to the eleven, showed them His hands and feet, ate a piece of broiled fish, opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and finally led them out to Bethany where He blessed them and was carried up into heaven.

(b) Three lessons

1. The resurrection confirms the truth of Jesus' words and the certainty of God's promises.
2. Faith may need to overcome doubt, as the apostles first dismissed the report as an idle tale.
3. Christ reveals Himself to those who seek Him, especially in the Scriptures and in fellowship (the breaking of bread).