TLC Lesson 3 - The Resurrection of Christ

Introduction

Is there life after death? Some people say that Jesus Christ rose from the dead, but is it really true? Listen carefully and look at the pictures while I tell you what happened.

Picture 108. The Crucifixion

Mark 15:25-39

About two thousand years ago Jesus lived in the land of Israel. Jesus said He was the Son of God and the Christ who would save the world. He taught the people about God and He worked many miracles. But the leaders of Israel would not believe in Him. Instead they sentenced Him to death. They crucified Him on a cross as you see in this picture. Two other men were crucified with Jesus. They were criminals. They died as punishment for their own sins, but Jesus had done nothing wrong. He died as the sacrifice to pay for the sin of everyone in the world. (1 John 2:2 tells us more about this.)

Picture 109. The Burial of Jesus

Mark 15:42-47

Before Jesus died, He told His followers that He would come alive from the dead, but they did not believe Him. After He died, two friends took His dead body from the cross. They wrapped it in linen cloths and they laid it in a tomb. They rolled a great stone across the entrance. Then the leaders of Israel sent soldiers to guard the tomb. They did not want anyone to steal the body of Jesus. They were afraid that people would say that Jesus had risen from the dead, just as He said He would. (This is also written in Matthew 27:62-66.)

Picture 110. The Women at the Tomb

Matthew 28:1-7

On the third day after Jesus died, an amazing thing happened! An angel of God appeared at the tomb of Jesus. There was a great earthquake. The angel rolled back the stone at the entrance of the tomb and sat upon it. The soldiers who were guarding the tomb were terrified. They fell down like dead men. Just then some women came to the tomb. They saw what had happened. The angel spoke to the women and said, "Do not be afraid. Jesus is not here. Go and tell his followers that He has risen from the dead."

Picture 111. Peter and John at the Empty Tomb

John 20:1-9

The women ran to Jesus' followers. One was called Mary Magdalene. She said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him." So two men named Peter and John, ran to the tomb. They entered the empty tomb. You can see what they found. The cloths which had been wrapped around the dead body were still lying there but the body of Jesus was gone. Then John believed the words of Jesus. He believed that Jesus was alive again.

Picture 112. Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

John 20:10-18

The two men went home but Mary Magdalene stayed outside the tomb. She was crying. Then she looked into the tomb and saw two angels. They said to her, "Woman, why are you crying?" Mary answered, "They have taken my Lord, and I don't know where they have put Him." Suddenly Jesus Himself appeared. Mary did not know it was Jesus. She thought He was the gardener, so she said, "Tell me where you have put Him." Then Jesus said to her, "Mary!" As soon as He said her name, Mary knew who He was. Jesus said to her, "Go and tell the other followers, I am returning to God." So she went to the them and said, "I have seen the Lord!" But they did not believe her.

Picture 113. Jesus on the Road to Emmaus

Luke 24:13-35

That same day two followers of Jesus left Jerusalem. They walked to their home in the village of Emmaus. They talked about Jesus. They thought that He was the Christ who would save Israel. They could not understand why He had died. Suddenly Jesus appeared and walked with them. The two men did not know Him. They thought Jesus was a stranger so they told Him what had happened in Jerusalem. They said, "Jesus was a prophet but our rulers killed Him. We hoped that He would save Israel." Then Jesus said, "The Christ had to suffer these things and then enter His glory." The holy scriptures showed why Christ had to die to save the whole world. So Jesus explained the scriptures to them. When they got to Emmaus, the two men asked the stranger to stay with them. As they ate together, Jesus broke some bread. Suddenly they realized who He was. It was true! Jesus was alive again just as the women said. Then Jesus disappeared from their sight.

Picture 114. Jesus Appears to His Disciples

John 20:19-23

Immediately those two men went back to Jerusalem. They told the other followers that they had seen Jesus! While they were talking Jesus Himself appeared among them. They were all amazed and very afraid. Then Jesus said, "Peace be to you. Why are you troubled? Look at my hands and my feet. It is really me! Touch me and see; a spirit does not have flesh and bones as I have." There was no doubt any more. Jesus had come back from the dead! (We can read this also in Luke 24:38, 39)

Picture 115. Jesus Appears to Thomas

John 20:24-31

When Jesus appeared to His followers, one friend was not with them. His name was Thomas. The followers told Thomas, "We have seen the Lord!" but Thomas said, "Unless I see the nail marks in His hands and put my finger where the nails were, I will not believe it." A week later they were all together again. Thomas was with them. All the doors were locked because they were afraid of their enemies. Once again Jesus appeared to them all. He said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Stop doubting and believe." Thomas said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" and Thomas worshipped Him. Jesus was the Living Christ!

Picture 116. Jesus Appears in Galilee

John 21:1-14

Some of the followers went back to their homes in Galilee. They were fishermen, so one night they went to the lake to catch fish. They worked all night but they caught nothing. Just as the sun rose, Jesus stood on the shore. They did not know who it was. Then Jesus called to them, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will catch fish." They did what the man told them. They caught so many fish that they could not haul in the net. Then John realized who the man was. John said, "It is the Lord!" So they came to the shore, dragging the net full of fish. None of the men said, "Who are you?" They knew it was Jesus. They ate breakfast together and He spoke with them.

Picture 117. Jesus Commissions His Disciples

Matthew 28:16-20

Another time, Jesus appeared to eleven of His closest friends. You cannot see them all in the picture. They were on a mountain in Galilee. He said to them, "God has given me all authority in heaven and on earth. You must go and make followers in all nations. Baptize them in the name of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach them to obey every thing I have told you. And I am with you to the end of the age." The Living Christ wants everyone to know that God raised Him from death. His resurrection showed that He really is the Son of God. (Romans 1:4 tells us this.)

Picture 118. Jesus Ascends into Heaven

Acts 1:6-12

For 40 days after Jesus rose from the dead many people saw Him. At one time He appeared to more than 500 people together. Jesus said to His followers, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth." He led the followers to a place outside of Jerusalem. Suddenly He went up into heaven. A cloud hid Him from their sight. Two angels appeared. They said to the people, "This Jesus who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." The followers returned to Jerusalem. There they waited. After ten days God sent His Holy Spirit to them. The Spirit gave them power and great courage. They went out and told people everywhere about Jesus. They told them, "God has raised Jesus to life. Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins and you will receive the Holy Spirit." (We read about this in 1 Corinthians 15:6 & Acts 2:24,38.)

Picture 119. Jesus at God's Right Hand in Heaven

Mark 16:19

Where is Jesus now? He is still alive in heaven. He is seated at the right side of God. There He hears the prayers of all who pray to Him. Jesus was the first one to rise from the dead. He is alive for ever. He is the Living Christ. He conquered Satan who caused mankind to die. He conquered death when He rose from the dead! This is why He can give us everlasting life. Our bodies will die, but all who believe in Jesus Christ will rise from death to live with Him. They will have new bodies like Christ's body. They will never die again. When will this happen? When Jesus comes to earth again. Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live even though he dies, and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die." Give praise to God! It is true! (We learn these things from Rev. 1:5; 1:17 & 18; 1 Cor. 15:42-55 and John 11:25.)