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Introduction: This lesson deals with what may be accurately
regarded as the single most important event in human history. While all the events in the life of Jesus were fundamental in
proving Him to be the Son of God, they all would have been for
nothing had He remained in the grave (1
Cor. 15:13-20). The
resurrection is the ultimate proof that Jesus is "both Lord
and Christ" (Acts
2:36). Discussion: I. JESUS
DID, IN FACT, DIE ON THE
GROSS OF CALVARY. A. Pre-crucifixion
events. 1. A sleepless night in the garden (Luke
22:39-46). 2. Betrayal by a "friend" (Matt.
26:47-50). 3. Desertion by all his closest friends (Matt.
26:56). 4. The "trial" a. He was subjected to the equivalent of six trials in the
matter of a few hours. b. He was accused with lies and false charges (Luke
23:2; Matt. 22:21) c. He was humiliated and mistreated (Matt.
26:67,68). 5. The scourging (Matt.
27:26) 6. The purple robe and crown of thorns (Matt.
27: 27-31) 7. He was forced to carry His own cross (John
19:17). B. The crucifixion 1. It was common to crucify
the victim with arms outstretched, but with the legs bent at the
knee. (In Jesus' case, His hands and feet were nailed to the
wooden cross (John
20:24-28). 2. This method produced
a slower death and prolonged the victim's agony. 3. When the authorities
were ready for the victims to die, the legs were broken and rapid
suffocation resulted. (John
19:31-37) C. Post-crucifixion events 1. Any possibility that Jesus
might have survived this ordeal is quickly dispelled when we
consider the final mistreatment of Jesus' body by a Roman soldier
at the scene (John
19:32-37). 2. Final confirmation of
death was made by the Romans (Mark
15:43-45). II.
THE BURIAL OF JESUS A. The
tomb 1. Just outside the city of Jerusalem (John
19:41). 2. "Hewn in stone" (Luke
23:53). 3. "Wherein never man before was laid" (Luke
23:53). B. The burial methods resulted in an encasement so tight
that it could hardly be removed and was nearly air-tight (John
19:38-40). C. A huge stone was placed at the entrance of the tomb (Mark
15:46). III.
SECURITY
PRECAUTIONS A. Roman guards (Matt.
27:62-65). B. The Roman seal (Matt.
27:66). IV.
EVIDENCE OF THE RESURRECTION A. The tomb was empty!!! 2. Both the Jews and the Romans attest that the tomb was empty. B. There were numerous
eye-witnesses who saw Jesus following the resurrection (1
Cor. 15:3-8). C. Circumstantial evidence 1.
The church 2. Baptism 3. The Lord's Supper 4. Changed lives V. SOME
SKEPTICAL ARGUMENTS ANSWERED A. Stolen by His disciples? B. "Swooned"? Conclusion: The unmistakable conclusion must be that Jesus Christ really did come forth from the grave, a victor over death. This great event gives us hope of a similar victory.
Glory
to God in the church by Christ Jesus
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