The Resurrection

Luke 24: 1-12

In today’s Gospel, Saint Luke writes, “ Jesus isn’t here! He has been raised from death. Remember… He told you,’ The Son of Man will be handed over to sinners who will nail Him to a cross. But three days later He will rise to life.’” (24: 6-7) From this verse we learn three things.

First, we know that Jesus was dead. He did not faint or go into a coma. Jesus died. Amen? Amen! Many say the movie; “ The Passion of the Christ” is too violent. Yes, it is violent. But it also is historically very accurate. People complain about the graphic way Mel Gibson portrays a Roman scourging. But it is historically accurate. One witness to a Roman scourging gave this description: “ The sufferer’s veins were laid bare, and the very muscles and tendons and bowels of the victim were open to exposure.” This is why Jesus was dead when the soldiers came to break his legs. The depiction of the Roman soldiers is also accurate. In the first century Roman soldiers were the best soldiers in the world and very brutal. They had crucified thousands of people. Also if they failed in carrying out a crucifixion, then they, themselves would be crucified. Today we know when the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, and water and blood came out that this meant Jesus was dead. In a dead body the blood separates from the serum thus looking like blood and water. Brothers and sisters make no mistake at all…Jesus was dead! Amen? Amen!

Second, we know that Jesus rose from the dead. The resurrection is an historical event not a myth or story. We know this from the empty tomb and the people who saw Christ physically alive. First, the women, and then the apostles, and then over five hundred people saw Christ alive after he rose from the dead. Jesus is the only man in history to rise from the dead. No other great religious teachers ever rose from the dead. In nineteen hundred B.C. the Jews father Abraham died. In four hundred and eighty three B.C. the Buddhists say Buddha died. In six hundred and thirty two A.D. Mohammed died. In thirty three A.D. Jesus died but came back to life appearing to over five hundred people in forty days. So whom can we trust? Only Jesus! Amen? Amen!

Possums are considered to be very smart animals. You see, if the possum sees one set of tracks going into a hole he won’t enter. He knows there is something in the hole and perhaps it is a predator. However, if the possum sees two sets of tracks going into a hole, he will enter a hole because he believes the occupant has left and the hole is vacant and safe. In the same way we don’t have to fear death, because there are tracks leading out of the tomb. Amen? Amen! Jesus is alive! Amen? Amen!

Third, we know if we remember Jesus’ words by reading our Bibles, we can know Him personally. Just like the women in today’s Gospel. And we can also live in relationship with Him. Amen? Amen!

Professional golfer Paul Azinger was diagnosed with cancer. After chemotherapy his cancer is in remission and he is back playing golf. Paul Azinger writes,” I have made a lot of money since I’ve been playing golf and I’ve won a lot of tournaments but that happiness is always temporary. The only way you will have true contentment is in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I’m not saying that nothing ever bothers me and I don’t have problems, but I think I’ve found the answer to the six-foot hole, the grave. The answer is Jesus.” Amen? Amen!

Brothers and sisters, today, we learn that Jesus died and rose from the dead and that by remembering his words we can know him personally. We know the answer to the six-foot hole, the grave. Knowing Jesus is the only way to defeat death and live forever…Amen? Amen! We come to know Christ by reading his word…the Bible. If you need a Bible then just ask me for one after mass. Now we are going to pray and invite the living Christ to enter our hearts so that we can live with him forever.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus we know you died and rose from the dead because you love us...today we ask you to enter our hearts that we might know you and live in relationship with you…keep us rooted in your word, the holy Bible that we can know you… in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…Amen!