WHAT HAPPENED AFTER RESURRECTION?
Intro.
1. Matt. 27:51-53 - Grave opened, many saints raised & appeared to many.
2. How did their resurrection occur? Why did it happen? What became of them after they
were resurrected?
3. What we know for sure:
a. Tombs were opened by earthquake when Jesus died.
b. Many bodies of dead saints were raised from the dead.
c. They came out of their graves after Christ was resurrected.
d. They went into Jerusalem & appeared to many.
e. THEY WERE ALIVE -- Not zombies ("a will-less and speechless human in
the West Indies capable only of automatic movement who is held to have died and been
supernaturally reanimated…a person held to resemble the so-called walking dead."
(according to voodoo belief, jrp ) -Merriam Dictionary
4. Some have speculated they ascended into heaven (McGarvey).
-Little doubt "these resurrected are symbolic, showing that the resurrection of
Christ is the resurrection of the race" (The Fourfold Gospel, 732).
5. Take a look at bodily resurrection to strengthen understanding & faith.
I. WHAT IS BODILY RESURRECTION?
A. The Life Force Is Restored To The Flesh.
1. cf. Death - Jas. 2:26.
2. cf. Resurrections from the dead:
a. 1 Kgs. 17:17-23 - Soul (nephesh, life) comes back to the
body.
b. 2 Kgs. 4:32-35 - Flesh is warm (functioning, alive) once
more.
c. Lk. 7:15 - Resurrected could speak.
d. Lk. 8:55 - Normal bodily functions resumed.
e. Jno. 11:14, 17, 43-44 - Another example of full bodily
function.
f. Acts 9:37, 40-41 - Cognitive responses.
B. Summary Of Characteristics Of Those Raised From The Dead:
1. They were living - Lk. 24:5.
2. They had bodies - Lk. 24:36-43. (Not spirits or ghosts)
3. They were conscious & cognitive with physical activity -
Jno. 12:1-2.
II. WHY WERE PEOPLE RAISED FROM THE DEAD?
A. As An Act Of Divine Mercy - cf. Lk. 7:12-13.
B. To Give Confirming Evidence Of God's Power, Presence & Approval.
1. 1 Kgs. 17:24 - By this she knew Elijah was a prophet.
2. Lk. 7:16-17 - Evidence of God's approval & presence.
3. Matt. 27:52-53 - Though not stated, we conclude the same purpose was
behind these resurrections.
C. What Was Accomplished By These Resurrections? Faith In Those Who Considered
& Accepted The Evidence.
1. Many believed - Jno. 11:45; 12:10-11, 17-18; Acts 9:42.
2. If true in the case of Lazarus & Dorcas, why not also Matt.
27:52-53?
-(Not a deterrent or distraction to faith, but an opportunity to
glorify God - cf. Lk. 7:16).
III. WHAT HAPPENED TO THOSE WHO WERE RESURRECTED?
A. They Continued To Live Out Their Lives Until Death Came - cf. 1 Cor. 15:22
("all die").
1. 1 Kgs. 17:22 - "See, your son lives!"
2. Lk. 7:15 - "And He presented him to his mother."
3. Jno. 12:1-2 - Lazarus resumed his normal activities of life.
4. To do otherwise would defeat the purpose & lesson of
resurrection!
B. What About The Saints In Matthew 27:52-53?
1. First, no direct statement of them after they "appeared to
many." (So, we would do well to not conjecture.")
2. Two possibilities:
a. If they lived out their physical lives & died, it
would be as others who had been raised from the dead. (Exception: Jesus - Acts 2:24; Col.
1:18; Rev. 1:18 - He will resurrect our bodies - 1 Cor. 15:20- 22).
b. If they appeared & then ascended to God's presence
(paradise), they may be viewed as demonstrating "that the sting was now taken
from death, that the power of the grave was broken, that men shall rise again with their
bodies and be known and recognized…" (Pulpit Comm., XV:595). - cf. 1
Cor. 15:20, 22
-Lessons for us:
1. Christ has power over physical & spiritual death - Jno. 11:25-26.
2. We must have faith in Him & His power over death (Rev. 1:18).
3. We will experience bodily resurrection - Jno. 5:28-29.
4. We must experience a spiritual resurrection to have the resurrection of life - Col.
2:12.
Conclusion
1. The resurrection of people in the past assures us of God's power over
death. It proves Jesus is the Christ. And, as a Christian there is comfort in knowing
death is not the end of our existence.
2. Are you ready for death & your resurrection?