Lesson 13-The Risen Lord

Read for This Week’s Study

Mark 15:42-47; Mark 16:1-20; Colossians 2:10-12; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; Daniel 9:24-27; John 20:11-18.

Memory Text:

 “But he said to them, ‘Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him’ ” (Mark 16:6).

Sabbath Afternoon

Five Key Points:

1. Crucifixion’s Impact: The crucifixion devastated the hopes and faith of Jesus' disciples.
2. Resurrection Joy: Jesus' resurrection brings renewed hope, as described in Mark 16:1-20.
3. Understanding Sunday’s Significance: Adventists have historically shied away from Sunday morning, but the lesson encourages rejoicing in the resurrection without adopting Sunday sacredness.
4. Baptism and Resurrection: Baptism, not Sunday, is the New Testament memorial of Jesus’ resurrection (Romans 6:4).
5. Challenge for the Reader: Mark 16 sets a global mission for believers to spread the gospel worldwide.

Discussion Questions:

1. Why did the disciples experience fear and despair following Jesus’ crucifixion?
   • Answer: They had placed their hope in Him as the Messiah, and His death shattered their expectations, leaving them uncertain and fearful.
2. What is the significance of Jesus' resurrection for Christians today?
   • Answer: It is the foundation of hope for eternal life and the assurance that death has been conquered (1 Corinthians 15:55-57).
3. How can Christians reconcile the Sunday resurrection with their observance of the seventh-day Sabbath?
   • Answer: While Sunday is the day of Jesus' resurrection, Sabbath observance remains based on biblical commandments, and baptism serves as the true memorial of the resurrection.

Sunday: Rejoicing in the Resurrection

Five Key Points:

1. Sabbath Rest: Jesus' disciples rested on the Sabbath after His death, according to the commandment (Luke 23:56).
2. Early Sunday Morning: The women went to the tomb to complete the burial process but found it empty.
3. Sunday Misinterpretation: Early Christians misinterpreted Jesus' resurrection on Sunday as justification for Sunday sacredness.
4. True Memorial: Baptism, not Sunday, is the New Testament memorial of Christ's resurrection (Colossians 2:10-12).
5. Certainty of Resurrection: Peter and Paul both speak confidently of the resurrection, which strengthens Christian hope (1 Peter 1:3).

Discussion Questions:

1. What was the significance of Jesus’ resurrection to His disciples and early Christians?
   • Answer: It restored their hope and faith, proving that Jesus had triumphed over death and validating His teachings.
2. How does baptism symbolize the death and resurrection of Christ?
   • Answer: Baptism represents being buried with Christ in His death and rising to new life, just as Christ was resurrected (Romans 6:4).
3. Why should Christians rejoice in the resurrection even if they do not observe Sunday as sacred?
   • Answer: The resurrection is the foundation of Christian hope for eternal life, and rejoicing in Christ’s victory over death transcends specific days of worship.

Monday: The Stone Was Rolled Away

1. Core Elements of the Resurrection: The resurrection story is consistently highlighted across the Gospels, emphasizing four key elements: Jesus died, was buried, rose again, and was seen alive. These elements are crucial in understanding the significance of the resurrection for believers.
2. Evidence of the Empty Tomb: The empty tomb is a widely accepted fact, even among skeptics. The absence of Jesus' body is critical in validating the resurrection claim, as it undermines any argument against His rising from the dead.
3. Disciples' Testimonies: The resurrection appearances to multiple witnesses, including the disciples and later Paul, provide substantial evidence of the resurrection. Their transformations from fear to bold proclamation demonstrate the impact of their encounters with the risen Christ.
4. Reasonableness of Belief: Believing in the resurrection is reasonable, especially for those who believe in God as the Creator. The resurrection is seen as a miracle that aligns with the nature of a powerful and sovereign God.
5. Foundational Impact on Christianity: The rapid growth of the early Christian church, founded on the testimonies of those who claimed to have witnessed the resurrected Christ, illustrates the profound influence of the resurrection on their lives and teachings. The willingness of the disciples to face persecution and martyrdom underscores their conviction in the reality of the resurrection.

Discussion Questions and Answers

1. What would you say if someone were to ask you, What evidence do you have for Christ’s resurrection?
   Answer: I would present several key pieces of evidence for Christ’s resurrection: the empty tomb, which is acknowledged even by skeptics; the multiple eyewitness accounts of the risen Christ, including those from the disciples and Paul; and the dramatic transformation of the disciples, who went from fear to boldness in proclaiming the Gospel. Additionally, the historical rise of the Christian church, with its foundation on the resurrection, supports the claim that Jesus indeed rose from the dead.
2. How do the resurrection accounts in different Gospels enhance our understanding of the event?
   Answer: The varying perspectives provided by the different Gospel writers enrich our understanding of the resurrection. Each writer highlights unique details and emphasizes different aspects of the event, but they all converge on the core elements of Jesus' death, burial, resurrection, and post-resurrection appearances. This diversity of accounts lends credibility to the narrative, as it demonstrates that the resurrection was a significant event impacting various individuals in distinct ways.
3. In what ways does believing in the resurrection affect a Christian's daily life?
   Answer: Believing in the resurrection profoundly influences a Christian's daily life by instilling hope, purpose, and courage. It provides assurance of eternal life and victory over sin and death. This belief motivates Christians to live righteously, share their faith, and endure hardships with the confidence that they are following a risen Savior. The resurrection also fosters a sense of community and mission, encouraging believers to share the Gospel with others, knowing that the power of Christ’s resurrection is at work in their lives.

Tuesday: The Women at the Tomb

Key Points:

1. The Women’s Vigil: The women waited for the Sabbath to pass and then hurried to the tomb early on Sunday to anoint Jesus’ body with spices, reflecting their devotion despite their despair.
2. Loss of Hope: Their journey was filled with sorrow; they did not expect Jesus to rise from the dead, symbolizing how grief can overshadow hope.
3. Jesus’ Prophecy Forgotten: Despite recalling His acts of mercy, they forgot Jesus' promise of resurrection, highlighting human forgetfulness in times of distress.
4. Initial Fear and Silence: Upon finding the empty tomb, the women were fearful and amazed, fleeing without initially sharing the news, echoing the motif of silence in the Gospel.
5. Transformation to Proclamation: Eventually, the women became the first proclaimers of the resurrection, breaking the silence and fulfilling the call to spread the good news.

Discussion Questions:

1. What does the initial reaction of the women at the tomb reveal about human nature in times of grief?
   Answer: Their fear and amazement reflect how grief can cloud our understanding and expectations, making it hard to see hope and possibility even when presented with evidence of it.
2. Why is it significant that women were the first witnesses of the resurrection?
   Answer: In a patriarchal society, their role as the first witnesses adds credibility to the resurrection account, as it is unlikely that the story would be fabricated in this way if it were false.
3. How can we overcome our own moments of doubt and silence about sharing our faith?
   Answer: By recalling the promises of Jesus and reflecting on our own experiences of His presence in our lives, we can find the courage to share our faith more boldly.

Wednesday: Appearing to Mary and Others

Key Points:

1. Mary Magdalene’s Encounter: Mary is the first to see the resurrected Jesus, emphasizing the importance of women in the resurrection narrative.
2. The Disciples’ Skepticism: Despite her testimony, the disciples initially do not believe Mary, illustrating a theme of disbelief that runs through the resurrection accounts.
3. Authenticity of the Accounts: The negative portrayal of the disciples' unbelief supports the authenticity of the resurrection story, as it would not make sense to create a narrative where they appear weak.
4. Commissioning of the Disciples: Jesus rebukes the disciples for their hardness of heart and commissions them to spread the gospel, showcasing His mercy and the call to action.
5. Connection to the Resurrection: The resurrection serves as a foundation for the disciples’ mission, transforming their fear into boldness in proclaiming the risen Christ.

Discussion Questions:

1. What does Jesus’ rebuke of the disciples suggest about His expectations for their faith?
   Answer: It indicates that Jesus expected them to believe in His resurrection based on His teachings and the prophecies, highlighting the importance of faith and understanding.
2. How does Mary Magdalene’s role as the first witness challenge societal norms of the time?
   Answer: It challenges the patriarchal views of the ancient world by elevating the status of women as crucial bearers of the most significant news in Christian faith, underscoring their value and importance.
3. What can we learn from the disciples' initial skepticism regarding our own doubts?
   Answer: We learn that doubt is a common human experience, and like the disciples, we can seek reassurance from Jesus and community as we work through our uncertainties.

Thursday: Go Into All the World

Key Points:

1. The Great Commission: Jesus commands His disciples to preach the gospel to all creation, emphasizing the universal scope of the mission.
2. Evidence of Faith: The signs accompanying the believers' preaching—such as healing and protection—demonstrate the power of faith in action, not as mere spectacle but as affirmation of their mission.
3. Rebuke for Unbelief: Jesus’ rebuke of the disciples for their unbelief serves as a reminder that faith is a continual journey, not a one-time event.
4. Promise of Presence: Jesus assures His disciples of His presence as they fulfill the Great Commission, offering comfort and strength for their mission.
5. Importance of Boldness: The transformation of the disciples from fearful followers to bold proclaimers of the gospel illustrates the empowering effect of encountering the risen Christ.

Discussion Questions:

1. What does the command to “go into all the world” mean for Christians today?
   Answer: It calls Christians to actively share their faith and the message of Jesus in all aspects of life, engaging with diverse cultures and communities around the world.
2. How can the promise of Jesus’ presence encourage us in our mission efforts?
   Answer: Knowing that Jesus is with us provides assurance and confidence, motivating us to step out in faith even in challenging circumstances, reminding us we are not alone in our efforts.
3. In what ways can we prepare ourselves to share the gospel effectively?
   Answer: We can prepare by deepening our understanding of Scripture, engaging in prayer, and building relationships within our communities, allowing us to share our faith naturally and authentically.

Friday

Further Thought

Read Ellen G. White, “ ‘The Lord Is Risen,’ ” pp. 779–787; “Go Teach All Nations,” pp. 818–828, in The Desire of Ages.

“To the believer, Christ is the resurrection and the life. In our Saviour the life that was lost through sin is restored; for He has life in Himself to quicken whom He will. He is invested with the right to give immortality. The life that He laid down in humanity, He takes up again, and gives to humanity. ‘I am come,’ He said, ‘that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.’ ‘Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.’ ‘Whoso eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.’ John 10:10; John 4:14; John 6:54.

“To the believer, death is but a small matter. Christ speaks of it as if it were of little moment. ‘If a man keep My saying, he shall never see death,’ ‘he shall never taste of death.’ To the Christian, death is but a sleep, a moment of silence and darkness. The life is hid with Christ in God, and ‘when Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.’ John 8:51-52; Colossians 3:4.”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, pp. 786, 787.

Even atheist historians, those who cannot accept the reality of the Resurrection, admit not only that Jesus had been killed but that after His death many people claimed to have seen the resurrected Christ, and as a result they began the nucleus of what became the Christian church. Some, in an attempt to explain why they claimed this, said that Jesus had a twin brother or that the early disciples hallucinated, thinking that they saw Jesus. Others said that Jesus never really died but only swooned and then, later, revived. Another person claimed that aliens came down and took the body. For a look at all these arguments and how they don’t work, see Clifford Goldstein, Risen: Finding Hope in the Empty Tomb (Nampa, Idaho: Pacific Press, 2021).

Discussion Questions and Answers

1. Why would the disciples have lied about the resurrection of Jesus? From all that we know, they faced nothing but hatred, alienation, and persecution for their belief. What would they have gained by making this story up?
   Answer: The idea that the disciples would have lied about the resurrection seems implausible given the severe consequences they faced, including persecution, imprisonment, and martyrdom. If they had fabricated the story, they would not have gained anything of material value or personal comfort; instead, they would have risked their lives for a falsehood. The disciples’ unwavering commitment to their testimony, despite the hardships, suggests that they genuinely believed in the resurrection. Their transformation from fearful individuals to bold proclaimers of the Gospel after witnessing the resurrected Christ indicates a profound conviction rather than deception.
2. What evidence of Jesus’ resurrection is most convincing to you? Share your reasons with your class.
   Answer: One of the most convincing pieces of evidence for Jesus’ resurrection is the transformation of the disciples. After Jesus’ death, they were fearful and in hiding, but following their encounters with the resurrected Christ, they became bold witnesses, preaching the Gospel even at the cost of their lives. This dramatic change points to a profound experience that would be difficult to attribute to a lie. Additionally, the empty tomb and the presence of women as the first witnesses lend credibility to the account, as women were not considered reliable witnesses in that cultural context. Their role in proclaiming the resurrection suggests authenticity, as it is unlikely that the story would have been fabricated in such a way.
3. Dwell more on the great hope that Jesus’ resurrection offers us. Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-58. How much importance does Paul put on the resurrection of Jesus?
   Answer: In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul emphasizes the centrality of the resurrection to the Christian faith. He argues that if Christ has not been raised, then Christian preaching and faith are in vain (1 Corinthians 15:14). Paul asserts that the resurrection is foundational, providing hope not only for life after death but also for the assurance of victory over sin and death. He highlights that Christ’s resurrection is the firstfruits of those who have died, promising that believers will also be raised (1 Corinthians 15:20-23). Paul’s thorough explanation of the resurrection underscores its significance, as it reassures believers of their future resurrection and eternal life, thus instilling hope and motivating them to live righteously in the present.