The resurrection of Jesus was an unexpected event to the disciples. Despite all the passion prophecies by Jesus, the disciples still did not expect events to turn out the way they did. This was largely due to the Jewish worldview in which they had been brought up.freelancer no-cd
The Jewish understanding of the resurrection, was an event that occurred on the last day - at the end of the age. There was no thought of someone being resurrected before this time. Of course there had been 'resuscitations', where someone had been temporarily brought back to life - but they still died. There was no thought of someone being raised in a glorified body before the end of the age. We see this in John 11, where Jesus says to Mary that Lazarus will rise again. She assume sthat he means the resurrection on the last day - not right now.freelancer no-cd
Yet one thing that most New Testament historians agree upon is that the disciples preached that Jesus had conquered death. But where did they get this idea from? It was something totally outside their frame of reference, making it impossible to be a hallucination, since hallucinations can only contain events from previous experience. It is unlikely that the disciples were making it up, as they were willing to die because of their beliefs, and in addition, it would have been an action totally contrary to their teaching. freelancer no-cd
In addition, just after the crucifixion, the disciples were totally dejected and demoralised. Some fled from Jerusalem. Others hid away, scared that they would be next. None of them gave any thought to preaching about Jesus.freelancer no-cd
But shortly afterwards, they were all preaching the resurrection of the dead. I'm afraid that an explanation of a conspiracy simply doesn't cut it here. These people were totally transformed, and willing to die for their faith (in fact, all bar one of the apostles were killed for their faith).freelancer no-cd
The reason for the sudden transformation was that they met the risen Lord. They spoke to Jesus, glorified on earth. Jesus transformed their lives into the apostles who would reshape the world with his message.freelancer no-cd
Jesus is alive today. His transforming power is at work today. Will you let Him transform you?freelancer no-cd
Comments
'This was largely due to the Jewish worldview in which they had been brought up'freelancer no-cd
Why? What Biblical texts supported the Jewis worldview in which they had been brought up?freelancer no-cd
And hadn't they spent 3 years listening to a teacher who taught with real authority, who had given them the secret of the Kingdom of God (Mark 4), and had given them the power to raise the dead themselves?freelancer no-cd
Surely when Peter heard the news that Jesus was not in his grave, he would just have said 'Oh Thomas is up to his old tricks again - raising the dead.'freelancer no-cd
And hadn't Herod believed that John the Baptist had risen from the dead (despite the Jewish worldview he had been brought up in)freelancer no-cd
And didn't many people think that Elijah or Jeremiah had returned?freelancer no-cd
And hadn't the disicples seen Moses himself return from the grave, never to die again?
freelancer no-cd
'Of course there had been 'resuscitations', where someone had been temporarily brought back to life - but they still died.'freelancer no-cd
The little girl that Jesus raised had died at the time of the crucifixion? And Lazarus? And the son of the Widow of Nain? All dead?freelancer no-cd
And the many saints who were raised at that Easter? They all died again in a day or two?freelancer no-cd
And when Moses returned from the grave at the Transfiguration, he died again?freelancer no-cd
Had a son die in my arms, and went to the hospital morgue and said good-bye to him until the ressurection. Came home and read where Jesus said 'I am the ressurection and the life.' Pondered on his words didn't he mean to say " i was and I will be the ressurection .." then saw scripture where jesus said " until this present time you have not asked anything , ask that your joy may be filled' On that day this person stepped over the line..freelancer no-cd