The Ultimate Miracle: The Resurrection of Jesus

In this lesson, we want to discuss the ultimate miracle. Of course it is the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. It would be impossible to overstate the significance of this miracle.

B.L. Blackburn wrote the article on the miracles of Jesus in The Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels, and he said, “Of this fact…all historians are confident that very shortly after Jesus was crucified, his disciples became convinced…that God had restored his life and ushered him into the heavenly world. Thus, the resurrection belongs to the bedrock of Christian belief” (557).

In lesson 4 we marked out several purposes of Jesus’ miracles. When we talk about the miracle of the resurrection we could add to that list. The purposes of the resurrection could include:

• To show himself really alive—he wasn’t a ghost; he was a resurrected body.
• To convince doubters and challenge unbelievers—Thomas.
• To commission followers.
• To comfort believers.
• To cook breakfast and reinstate Peter.
• To promise the Holy Spirit.
• To ascend to heaven.

Let’s connect some doctrinal dots with the miracle of the resurrection. With what does the resurrection connect?

• Identity of Christ.*
• Validity of the cross.
• Prelude to exaltation of Christ in the ascension.
• Our sanctification.
• The return of Christ.
• Our conversion—particularly baptism.
• Our imperishable bodies.
• Impetus for witness.
• Promise of eternal life.
• Lord’s Supper.

There are some unique items from each of the Gospels to notice about this ultimate miracle:

• Matthew (28:1-15)—earthquake, angel’s appearance, meet in Galilee, worship of women, bribe of soldiers.
• Mark (16:1-8)—Salome, anoint body, young man as angel, tell Peter, Jesus never appears.
• Luke (24:1-12)—Spices, reminder of death details by angels, Joanna, disbelief of apostles, Peter checked it out.
• John (20:1-9)—Feature of Mary Magdalene, Peter and John at tomb, burial clothes, ignorant.

Not all the miracles of Jesus are necessarily intended to apologetic in nature. But the miracle of the resurrection seems to invite this kind of investigation. So probably when we teach and preach on the resurrection our preaching and teaching will take on a certain apologetic flavor. And, that’s okay. Judge Casteel in Beyond Reasonable Doubt talked about this collaborative eyewitness testimony. Think of these things:

• Come and see—Matt. 28:6; Mk. 16:6.
• Look, at my hands and feet. Touch me—Mk. 24:39ff; Jn. 20:20, 27.
• Eats fish—Mk. 24:42-43.

In addition to this think of 1 Cor. 15—a whole chapter devoted to the significance of this event.

Scholars differ about how many resurrection appearances there were—some might have overlapped. There could be as few as 7 or as many as 13. I can give 10:

• Women returning from tomb (Matt. 28:1-10).
• Mary Magdalene at tomb (Jn. 20:11-18).
• Peter (Lk. 24:34; 1 Cor. 15:5).
• Cleopas and other disciple (Lk. 24:13-35).
• Ten apostles (Lk. 24:36-40; Jn. 20:19-23; 1 Cor. 15:5).
• Eleven apostles (Jn. 20:26-28).
• Disciples at Sea of Galilee (Jn. 21:1-23).
• Apostles, 500 brethren (Matt. 28:16-20; 1 Cor. 15:6).
• James (1 Cor. 15:7).
• Apostles (Lk. 24:50-52; Ac. 1:6-8).

Again, we cannot overstate the significance of the ultimate miracle. Because Jesus moved out of the cemetery so shall we—Students serving at Fort Street Church in Omaha and living in the cemetery