(What’s the Point of the Resurrection? Part 2)
This is the second blog exploring the role of the resurrection of Jesus in the salvific story of God. If we are made right with God through the blood sacrifice of Christ on the cross, was resurrection a necessary part of salvation? What did Christ accomplish when He rose from the grave?
In part one, I made the statement that the primary purpose of the appearances of Christ after the resurrection was to encourage his followers to believe. I don’t see this as an angry or disappointed chastisement by Christ. I see this as part of a beautiful portrait of who Jesus is.
“This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.” (Hebrews 4:15 NLT).
Turning to Scripture:
Luke 24:13-35
Luke writes of an encounter of two of Christ’s disciples on the road to a town called Emmaus, about a day’s walk from Jerusalem. These two guys were discussing the stories they had heard while they were in Jerusalem. This was the same day as the resurrection. As they walked, Jesus came up and began to walk with them. But they didn’t recognize him.
When Jesus asks them what they were talking about, listen to how they tell the story of the arrest, crucifixion, and rumors of resurrection:
…their faces were downcast (v. 17).
(Speaking of Jesus) …he was a prophet (v. 19).
…we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel (v. 21).
It’s the third day (v. 21).
His body is gone (v. 23).
In their retelling of events, Jesus is spoken of in past tense. To them, the death of Jesus means that their hopes and dreams have also died, and Jesus is no more. In ancient times, Jewish tradition taught that a person’s soul remained with their body for three days. After three days, the soul departed, and death was permanent. If Jesus had risen on day one or two, people could say that he never truly died. The disciples talking on the road to Emmaus were discouraged because Jesus was in the grave for three days. Their hopes of a prophet/king to free Israel from the oppression of Roman rule were ended.
Because they could not believe in the resurrection of Christ from the dead, they were hopeless.
The Response of Jesus
Jesus joined them in a walk along the road to a different town. He entered into their conversation and asked how they understood things. After listening to what they understood from recent events, he challenged them. Don’t you believe what the prophets told you? Didn’t the Old Testament scriptures tell you that the Messiah was going to suffer?
“And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself” (Luke 24: 27).
Jesus could have revealed himself, performed a miracle, or done something spectacular to make the point that he was alive. Jesus was a teacher. He wanted his followers not only to know that he was alive, but Jesus also wanted his followers to understand who he is and why these things had happened.
What does the Teacher do in this situation? He walks with them and talks with them. He metaphorically took out his Bible and explained through the Word of God everything they needed to understand about recent events. Jesus pointed out everything in the scriptures that explained who he is and why he had to suffer at the hands of the Romans.
I can only imagine the hope that began to once again grow in their hearts when someone knowledgeable began to point to scripture to show that Jesus is, after all, the Messiah in whom they were hoping. I can imagine Jesus quoting from Isaiah (see Is 53) and the light of understanding beginning to grow bright in their eyes. The Teacher had come to them in their moment of unbelief to shore up their faith and to help them understand who he is and what he came to do.
This is a portrait of a patient and gracious Lord.
The Effects of His Presence
The two men walking the road to Emmaus were identified by the early church fathers. Cleopas, according to early tradition, was the brother of Joseph and therefore the uncle of Jesus. The other man was Cleopas’s son, Simon (not Peter). Simon later became a bishop of the church and was martyred by the Romans.
When Jesus broke bread with them (a nod to the Last Supper), the men suddenly knew who he was, and Jesus left. Even though it was already night, the men went back to Jerusalem to tell the disciples what had happened. They testified “It’s true! The Lord is risen!” (24:34).
To Cleopas and Simon, the resurrection was proof that Jesus was the prophesied Messiah that was promised in the scriptures. (Modern people know these scriptures as the Old Testament.) Jesus didn’t come to them as a conquering king. Jesus walked alongside of them as teacher and friend.
Without the resurrection, Jesus would have been another human prophet and teacher remembered by many as a good man. A dead prophet has no power to change anything in earthly existence. The risen Messiah that lives in his human body forever has all the power to give life and work in human affairs.
“Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” Hebrews 7:23-25
Comments