A Biblical Vision, Part II: Mastering the New Testament Witness to Christ

Ses s i on 4: The Gospe l s : The Man i fes tat i on of Chr i s t , Par t I I I 129

II. The Resurrection and the Post-Resurrection Appearances of Jesus

Your Starting Place Determines Where You Wind Up

In view of the wide variety of ideas on the actuality of the resurrection, many fear that the historical fact of the resurrection cannot form a strong basis for a theological interpretation of the NT. Undoubtedly a NT theology which begins by assuming that the resur rection accounts are a myth, will present a very different account of early Christian thought, from that which regards a supernatural event as the real center and key to Christian thought. It will affect not only the Christological assessment, but also the understanding of the whole mission of Jesus. It is on this point that a fundamental cleavage occurs between different schools of thought. Some regard it as wholly unacceptable that Christian faith should depend on a single unverifiable event. Others maintain that belief in the resurrection even though unverifiable, provides a sufficient explanation for the rise of an otherwise totally inexplicable Christian faith.

~ Donald Guthrie. New Testament Theology . Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1981. pp. 384-85.

A. The Resurrection of Messiah Jesus and the first appearance at the tomb, Matt. 28.5-8; Mark 16.2-8; Luke 24.1-8; John 20.1

Matt. 28.5-8 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. [6] He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. [7] Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” [8] So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.

1. Sunday, early morning, spring A.D. 30?

2. The violent earthquake and the stunned guards

3. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary

4. Angelic testimony: “He is not here; he has risen. Come see the place where he lay.”

5. Second appearance: Matt. 28.9-10 – And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. [10] Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”