A4 – Jesus rose from the grave
In our previous lesson, we learnt that Jesus died for our sins. Each one of us can say with confidence, “Jesus Christ died for my sins.” In this lesson, we are going to learn another great lesson and that is – Jesus rose from the grave.
Jesus death, burial and resurrection
The Lord Jesus died at around 3 o’clock in the afternoon. His body was buried in a nearby tomb which belonged to a very wealthy man. This tomb was the kind similar to a cave. A huge stone was then rolled over the entrance of the cave to close it.
We are told that early in the morning of the third day, three women went to the tomb where Jesus’ body was laid to anoint the body with sweet smelling perfumes as it was commonly done in those days. When they arrived at the tomb, they discovered to their surprise that the stone that covered the entrance to the tomb was rolled away.
There was an angel who stood by the entrance of the tomb. He said to them,
“Don’t be afraid. I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; He is risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” Matthew 28 vs. 5-6.
These three women were so happy that they ran to tell Jesus’ disciples. They met with Peter and John and told them what they had seen. Peter and John then ran to the tomb. They wanted to see for themselves if the women’s story was true. When they finally got to the tomb, they looked inside and only saw the pieces of cloth that were used to cover the body of Jesus but his body was not there.
Mary Magdalene and disciples meets Jesus
When Mary Magdalene returned later to the grave, she thought Jesus’s body was stolen. She found it hard to believe that he could have risen. She knelt down and cried. While she was crying, the Lord Jesus came nearer to her. Mary couldn’t recognize him. She thought him to be the gardener because the tomb was in the garden. Mary said to him,
“Please sir, where have they taken the body of my Lord?”
Jesus then called out her name saying, “Mary!” She turned around and was surprised as she now recognized her Lord. She cried, “Rabonni!” which is a Hebrew word for “teacher.”
The same night, ten of the Lord Jesus Christ’s disciples were together in the upper room. One of them called Thomas was absent. All of a sudden while they were chatting about current events, the Lord Jesus appeared to them and said, “Peace be with you.”
They were so afraid thinking this must be a ghost, a spirit or phantom. But Jesus told them, “Don’t be afraid, I am not a ghost. It’s me! Touch my feet and my hands and see that indeed it is me.” So they calmed down and enjoyed a nice meal with him.
Thomas meets Jesus
After that, the disciples met with Thomas. They told him,
“Thomas, where were you earlier? We have seen the Lord!”
But Thomas did not believe anything they said. He said,
“Unless I see in His hands and the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” John 20 vs.25.
Eight days later, the disciples were altogether in the upper room, including Thomas. The Lord Jesus reappeared to them and said, “Peace be with you.” He turned his attention to Thomas and said to him,
“Look at the wounds in my hands, reach out with your finger and feel the wounds. Stretch your hand and touch my wounded side. Have no doubt Thomas, only believe.”
Thomas was so embarrassed for having showed lack of faith. He worshipped him and said,
“My Lord and My God.” John 20 vs. 28.
Jesus command to preach the gospel and His ascension
The Lord Jesus revealed himself on earth for forty days after rising from the dead. He appeared many times to his disciples and at one time he appeared to over five hundred people at once.
The time came for him now to leave his disciples and go back to heaven. He told them
“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” Matthew 28 vs. 18.
He commanded them to go into all the world preaching the gospel, which is the good news to all people.
After this commandment he blessed them and ascended into heaven with a cloud. The disciples stood right there looking up into the sky until he disappeared. While they were looking up, two angels appeared and said to them
“Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” Acts 1 vs.1 1.
Jesus is coming again
So, our Lord Jesus Christ is in Heaven today. One day he will come again to earth. We do not know when but we know very well that he is definitely coming. When he comes, he will take all those who believed on him to live with him in Heaven.
In conclusion, we have learnt that Jesus Christ rose from the dead. The Bible says,
“…that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” 1 Corinthians 15 vs. 3-4.
IMPORTANT POINT OF NOTE:
· Jesus Christ rose from the dead. He is a living Saviour!
In our next lesson we are going to explore the topic: “how to become a child of God”.
Next Steps
Now, once you have finished reading this lesson and you are sure to have understood it, click on the link below and answer the quiz questions. Your answers will be graded automatically and you will receive feedback on which answers you got right and which answers you answered incorrectly.
Lessons and quizzes can be completed without registering, but if you wish to track your progress and receive a Certificate of Completion, you must firstly Register and Log In. Use of BibleLessons.Online is completely free.