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The story of Jesus doesn’t end, at the end of chapter 23, with Jesus’ burial. It continues on, into chapter 24, with His resurrection. The mighty resurrection of Christ is proclaimed in Luke 24:6 – “He is not here. He has risen.”

Before turning directly, let’s notice something significant about His burial. The man who attended to Jesus’ burial was Joseph of Arimathea – “he was waiting for the Kingdom of God” (Luke 23:51). He didn’t have long to wait for a mighty demonstration of the life-giving power of God’s Kingdom. In His resurrection from the dead, Christ shows to us the life of the ultimate future, the life of the coming Kingdom of God, the life that takes us beyond the grave.

The great event of Christ’s resurrection stands at the very heart of the New Testament.

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What does the New Testament teach us concerning Christ’s resurrection?

- (1) The resurrection was predicted in the ministry of Christ.

- (2) The resurrection was presented as a miracle of God.

- (3) The resurrection was proclaimed in the message of the Church.

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(1) The resurrection was predicted in the ministry of Christ.

The important passages are Luke 9:18-22; Luke 11:29-30 and Luke 18:31-33. We must note that it is the event of the resurrection which makes the meaning of these verses clear.

(2) The resurrection was presented as a miracle of God.

There is only one explanation of Christ’s resurrection – God did it!

(i) Who moved the stone? – God.

(ii) Who met with the disciples? – Christ.

(iii) Who empowered the disciples for witness? – The Holy Spirit.

God’s work in us is His miracle, from beginning to end.

- He takes away the stony heart of unbelief.

- He comes to us, in Christ, and gives us new life.

- He comes to us, in the power of the Holy Spirit, to equip us for witness.

(3) The resurrection was proclaimed in the message of the Church.

(i) “witnesses of the resurrection” (Acts 1:22).

(ii) Preaching the resurrection (Acts 2:24; Acts 4:33).

(iii) Paul preaching the resurrection (Acts 17:18).

Today, the resurrection of Christ must still be the heart of the Church’s message: “He is not here. He has risen!”