Bring All Your Stuff
Today, 2,000 years ago, Jesus rose from the dead. It is known as the greatest miracle of all time and is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. In fact, in his letter to the Corinthians, Paul says that if the resurrection isn’t true, we have no need for our faith. The resurrection is what makes Christianity different from all other faiths. For all other world views and religions, their gods/prophets are dead and buried - worm food. But Jesus lives and is seated at the right hand of the Father. Today, we look at the resurrection and what it meant for the disciples, and how that applies to our lives today.
Scripture
Mark 16:5-8 ESV 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Bible Study Questions
The Power of the Resurrection
The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is often referred to as the greatest miracle of all time. And yet, Jesus Himself raised other people from the dead. What makes Jesus’ resurrection more important than the others?
Mark 16:6 ESV And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him.
Mark 5:41-42 ESV Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” (42) And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement.
John 11:43-44 ESV When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” (44) The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”
Christ’s Forgiveness
In the book of Mark, he specifically mentions that Mary and the other women are to go and tell the other disciples and specifically mentions Peter. What does this tell you about our Lord Jesus Christ?
Mark 16:7 ESV But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.”
John 13:38 ESV Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.
Afraid of God
When confronted with the empty tomb all the gospel accounts tell of the fear that gripped Christ's followers. This is a common theme in the Bible, when people come face to face with God’s holiness and presence. What does this tell you about our God?
Mark 16:8 ESV And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Numbers 20:6 ESV Then Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the entrance of the tent of meeting and fell on their faces. And the glory of the Lord appeared to them,
Matthew 17:6 ESV When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified.
Exodus 33:20-22 ESV But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.” (21) And the LORD said, “Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, (22) and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by.
Still Don’t Get It
We saw when Jesus was telling His disciples that He was to die and would rise from the dead, that they just didn’t get it. Now even at His resurrection, they still could not believe it. Why is this, and do you think you can relate?
Luke 18:34 ESV But they understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.
Luke 24:11 ESV but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.
John 20:9 ESV for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.
Consider Thomas
There is very little we know about the disciple, Thomas. We have come to know of him only as doubting Thomas. But read the scriptures about him. Do they explain more to you about his doubts? Is there more to this man than mere doubt? How can you relate to him?
John 11:8 ESV The disciples said to him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?”… John 11:16 ESV So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”
John 14:3-5 ESV And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. (4) And you know the way to where I am going.” (5) Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”
John 20:25-28 ESV So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” (26) Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” (27) Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” (28) Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”
Supercharged
After Jesus revealed himself to the disciples, we learn that their minds were opened to the scriptures. What do you think this is? What does it mean for us?
Luke 24:45 ESV Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,
Bring All Your Stuff and Believe
When the disciples saw the risen Christ, their lives were changed. Their minds were open to understanding the scriptures and they became men on fire for Christ. They built His church. Carefully consider what this means for you in your life.
1 Corinthians 15:4-7 ESV that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, (5) and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. (6) Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. (7) Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.
Acts 5:28-29 ESV saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man's blood upon us.” (29) But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.
Acts 5:12-14 ESV Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon's Portico. (13) None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. (14) And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,