Eight Days, Part 6: Resurrection Sunday – He is Alive!

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor

“To be alive at all is to have .”
John Steinbeck

The Story of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ MATTHEW 28:1–7
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
        There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
        The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

An Encounter With the Risen Jesus JOHN 20:24-29
Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
        But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
        A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
        Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
        Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

I believe Jesus kept his scars for three reasons:

1. The scars of Jesus tell a story of

For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Hebrews 2:17–18

2. The scars of Jesus tell a story of

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Romans 5:6 

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

While [the disciples] were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”
        When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.
        He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
        Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. Luke 24:36-48

3. The scars of Jesus tell a story of .

Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. Revelation 5:5–6

Satan wants to define you by .
Jesus wants to define you by .

Small Group Questions

1. How did you celebrate the resurrection of Jesus this year?
2. Do you have a scar? What’s the story behind it?
3. How do you feel about the scars on your body and heart? What healing has Jesus done on the scars of your life?
4. What healing still needs to be done in your life? Is there one wound you can bring to Jesus right now that you will entrust to his good work and future healing?
5. The Lamb of God is standing, covered with healed wounds at the end of the Bible. What does that mean to you?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?