The Resurrection that is Convincing

“There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’” (Luke 16:19-31).

Jesus’ parable about the rich man and Lazarus reminds us that physical death is not the end of our story. We’re created in the image of our eternal Father and we will live beyond physical death... “Just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). Jesus’ use of the name Lazarus in this parable reminds us that there were other incredible resurrections in the Bible, but the difference between Heaven and Hell has everything to do with the resurrection that is convincing.

Jesus’ resurrection fulfilled the law of Moses. The Old testament reveals that after physical death the destiny of both the righteous and the wicked is in the hand of God… “But all this I laid to heart, examining it all, how the righteous and the wise and their deeds are in the hand of God. It is the same for all, since the same event happens to the righteous and the wicked, to the good and the evil” (Ecclesiastes 9:1-2). Jesus’ parable reveals Hades as a place of judgment and torment. Abraham’s side is a place of blessing and comfort. After His death and before His resurrection Jesus descended into Sheol and set righteous captives free… “Therefore it says, ‘When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.’ (In saying, ‘He ascended,’ what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth?” (Ephesians 4:8-9). He delivered those who strived to obey the law of Moses to a place called Paradise… “To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God” (Revelation 2:7). Since the death and resurrection of Christ, departed souls of true disciples go immediately into the presence of Jesus in Paradise because He fulfilled the law for us… “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43).

Jesus’ resurrection fulfilled the words of the prophets. Jesus pointed to this truth in His revelation to two disciples on the road to Emmaus… “’Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:26-27). The Spirit echoes this truth through the inspired words of the Apostle Paul… “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

Jesus’ resurrection fulfilled the promise of eternal life. Jesus promised eternal life to true believers… “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). He sealed this promise with His own resurrection… “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20).

As we grow up into Christ, we confidently look forward to victory over death because of…

The Resurrection that is Convincing.