Resurrection: A reality and not a fairytale

Text: John 20:25-29; John 11:25-26
Key Verse: John 20:29, “Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.”

The Death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is not a metaphor or a fairytale for simple minds. The death and resurrection of Jesus is not a myth but an irrefutable fact. As Christians, we must be prepared to demonstrate that Christ’s resurrection was an event that occurred in time and space – that it was, in reality, historical and not mythological.

In John 11, Jesus visits four days after Lazarus was being buried. Lazarus’ sisters met Jesus and spoke to Him about what happened to them. Jesus said to them, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:” (John 11:25). Resurrection did not happen to Jesus because He is the resurrection. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection”.

What is the difference between what happened to Lazarus and Jesus?
The resurrection of Jesus was not a temporal intervention. Lazarus was raised from the death but died eventually afterwards. Jesus resurrected and lives forever more. Jesus is still alive. It was not a temporal intervention.

The Reality of the Resurrection
The resurrection of Jesus from the death is both a physical and historical reality. Jesus resurrection and His virgin birth are the most debated realities. The resurrection of Jesus is fundamental to Christian faith and it is real. Peter said, “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables…” (2 Peter 1:16).

Jesus resurrection was a reality because Mary Magdalene, Peter and other disciples ran to the grave where Jesus was buried and they saw that the stone that was used to cover His grave had been taken away. They saw His grave cloths lying in the grave. They acted as if they knew not the Scripture, that he must rise again from the dead (John 20:9).

To affirm the reality of His bodily resurrection, Jesus appeared to Mary and was seen by five hundred other persons. The disciples were in doubt of the reality of His resurrection and they ran into a house and shut the doors against themselves for fear of mockery by the Jews. While they were in hiding, Jesus appeared to them and said unto them, Peace be unto you.

Jesus showed His disciples His hands and feet that were shattered by the piercing nails and His side that was pierced by the sword. Then the disciples believed believe that He rose.

Thomas was not among the disciples when Jesus appeared to them, so he doubted the reality of Jesus resurrection. Thomas said, “Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe” (John 20:25).

After eight days, Jesus appeared to His disciples and Thomas was among them. Jesus said to Thomas, “Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing” (John 20:27). Then Thomas believed the reality of Jesus resurrection. Jesus said to Thomas, “because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed” (John 20:29).

They went out boldly to announce Jesus is risen because they were fully convinced that He did rise bodily. The 12 disciples died for this truth that Jesus resurrected because they knew it was real.

The grave is empty. The stone has been rolled away. HE IS ALIVE. You can step out with Him into victory.
Today’s Nugget: The resurrection of Jesus is a reality and not a fairy tale.

Prayer: I confess Jesus as my Lord and Personal Saviour