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19.0 The Resurrection
by Hubert F. Sturges, www.everlastingcovenant.com, August 2009

Topics:
Prologue
The Resurrection
The Roman Soldiers

The Prologue

Some are tempted to believe that the trial and crucifixion of Jesus represented the failure of His ministry. The Bible teaches us that Jesus came to die – to die that men might live. Even the disciples did not realize this until after the Resurrection.

   “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father” (John 10:17,18).
The above verse shows that Jesus willingly made the sacrifice on Calvary? And that this was the climax of His mission, His victory over Satan, and the proven success of the purpose of God?

The Resurrection

The story of the resurrection is the most fascinating story in the Bible. Jesus was most certainly dead. He lay in the tomb until early on the first day of the week. Pilate and the chief priests, still unbelieving, think that they can hold Him in the tomb and order the tomb sealed. A guard was set. There would be witnesses to a stupendous event. Was it not the purpose of God that the disciples also be witnesses? Had not Jesus told them He would rise again? Instead, they were totally discouraged and were in hiding. Could God be telling us today things that would open our eyes and give us courage? And we fail to listen?

Early on the first day of the week, “there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: and for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men” (Matthew 28:2-4).

   “Before anyone had reached the sepulcher, there was a great earthquake. The mightiest angel from heaven, he who held the position from which Satan fell, received his commission from the Father, and clothed with the panoply of heaven, he parted the darkness from his track. His face was like the lightning, and his garments white as snow. As soon as his feet touched the ground it quaked beneath his tread. The Roman guard were keeping their weary watch when this wonderful scene took place, and they were enabled to endure the sight, for they had a message to bear as witnesses of the resurrection of Christ. The angel approached the grave, rolled away the stone as though it had been a pebble, and sat upon it. The light of heaven encircled the tomb, and the whole heaven was lighted by the glory of the angels. Then his voice was heard, ‘Thy Father calls Thee; come forth’
    “If the soldiers at the sepulcher were so filled with terror at the appearance of one angel clothed with heavenly light and strength, that they fell as dead men to the ground, how will His enemies stand before the Son of God, when He comes in power and great glory, accompanied by ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands of angels from the courts of heaven” (SDA Bible Commentary, vol 5, 1110)?
The Roman Soldiers

The Roman soldiers abandoned their post and entered the city, still trembling with terror. They were met by the chief priests and the elders, who were now unable to counter this astounding event. They were unable to deny Who Jesus was. They added to unbelief, determined rebellion. They bribed the soldiers with money to tell a lie, “saying, say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept” (Matthew 28:13). A lie which could bring the soldiers certain death for abandoning their post of duty—except that Roman officials collaborated with them in perpetuating that lie (Matthew 28:12-14).

There is much evidence from this story that it is true.
• Men and nations have been changed by the story of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.
• How could twelve disciples silently steal the body in the presence of one hundred soldiers?
• If a Roman soldier should sleep or abandon his post in the line of duty, he pays with his life.
• Only a substantial bribe from government officials could get them to support the lie.
• The disciples were terrified and in hiding before the resurrection, joyful and bold afterward.
The resurrection served to make effective the sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary. The disciples were energized. The chief priests and elders deepened their hatred of Christ and were more fixed in their rebellion to Him. It seems that the closer a person comes to God, the more he loves and adores Him, or the more he hates Him. But to the disciples and most of the new converts to Christianity, the resurrection helped them to finally understand Jesus’ mission and gave power and impetus to their message.