No Big Surprise, Christ Is Risen! I Told You So!   No Big Surprise, Christ Is Risen! Luke 24:1-53

Luke 24:1–3 - But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

The stone was not rolled away so Jesus could get out but so that we could see in.

How is it that they found the tomb of Jesus Christ empty?

Christ’s tomb was either: Occupied 1. Unknown tomb 2. Wrong tomb 3. Visions 4. Legends Empty 1. Naturalistic Expl. a. Disciples stole b. Jews moved c. Romans moved d. Jesus swooned 2. Supernatural Expl. Bodily Resurrection

What had Jesus said was going to happen?

Because of the resurrection we are winning with Jesus Luke 24:4-12

Luke 24:5–7 - And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?”

6 “He is not here, but has risen 6 “He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.”

He is not here! We can’t say that about the grave of Moses somewhere in Moab We can’t say that about the grave of Mohammad in Medina Saudi Arabia

We can’t say that about the grave of Confucius -Shandong Province, China We can’t say that about the grave of Buddha in Sri Lanka

But, He has risen

The Empty Tomb means Jesus is who He is said He is and that He did what He said He would do. He is Our Savior He is Our Redeemer He is Our LORD He is our Coming King

It also means He wins He wins over the ruler of this age and his minions He wins over the religious leaders of the time He wins over the powers of this world He wins over the death and the grave

He wins and we win with Him!

Remember – cause yourself to remember It’s a command.

Luke 9:21–22 - And he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one, 22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”

Matthew 12:40 - For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

The biggest surprise that first resurrection Sunday was not that the tomb was empty but that Jesus’ disciples did not believe He had risen from the dead.

They had trouble believing it and so do we: Luke 24:10–11- Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, 11 but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.

Because of the resurrection we are walking with Jesus Luke 24:13-35

Luke 24:25–27 - And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?”

27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

Two of His followers On the road to Emmaus, a village 7 miles from Jerusalem. They are having a discussion about the day’s events. Coming off the Sabbath and Passover.

Luke 24:15 - While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them.

They were arguing In their conversing - Greek “omileo” – to talk In their disputing - Greek “suzeteo” – to express an opinion in a forceful way

Jesus Himself Drew near Journey together -Grk – “sumporeuomai” With them

Their disputing revealed: Their depression – Jesus remarks that they are sad Their disappointment – They had hoped Jesus was the Messiah Their disbelief – They didn’t know what to make about the women finding the empty tomb

Isn’t it amazing to know that when we stagger in depression, disappointment and disbelief that Jesus draws near to journey together with us. We are not alone.

He said – Not “he rebuked” Foolish and slow of heart – Your head and your heart aren’t where they need to be To believe – it’s a head and heart issue

All that the prophets said. It was divine necessity for the Christ to suffer and then to enter His glory

Beginning from Moses (Genesis – Deuteronomy) From All of the prophets – The rest of the Old Testament except the Poetic Books Thoroughly explained – Greek “diermeneuo” – Like interpreting a foreign language

To them in all the Scripture concerning Himself In the Fall – The promise of a seed of a woman In the promises to Jacob – A King from Judah In Exodus – The Passover Lamb

In Leviticus – The Sacrificial System, A Priesthood like Aaron’s In Numbers – The Serpent in the Wilderness In Deuteronomy – A Prophet like unto Moses

Why are you surprised? I told you so through Moses and the Prophets

They had trouble understanding and believing what the Scriptures said and so do we!

Later in Emmaus as the day was ending He broke bread with them and blessed the bread And their eyes were open – to be opened completely, probably both physically and spiritually

And then Jesus was gone Did not our hearts burn – “kaio” – to ignite.

There is nothing like Jesus journeying with us and teaching us the Scriptures to set our hearts on fire.

They return to Jerusalem to report to the disciples and find the eleven - Luke 24:34 – Saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!”

Because of the resurrection we are witnessing with Jesus Luke 24:36-49

Luke 24:46–48 - And said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

48 “You are witnesses of these things 48 “You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

They are having trouble accepting and so do we! Luke 24:38 & 41 -And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?.... 41 And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?”

He offers them peace Luke 24:36 - As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!”

He offered them proof Luke 24:39–40 - See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.

He offered them purpose Luke 24:48 – “You are witnesses of these things.”

He offered them power Luke 24:49 – “And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

Luke 24:44 - Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”

I told you so! He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures – Luke 24:45

So….What’s it to me? 1. Through this resurrection we can experience a new life Because He won for us.  

2. Through this resurrection we can experience a new understanding. Because He walks with us.  

3. Through this resurrection we can experience a new power. Because He witnesses through us.

He told us so. No surprise. Believe Him Receive Him Tell others about Him