1 Let me now remind you, dear brothers and sisters,[a] of the Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then, and you still stand firm in it. 2 It is this Good News that saves you if you continue to believe the message I told you—unless, of course, you believed something that was never true in the first place. 3 I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. 4 He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. 5 He was seen by Peter[c] and then by the Twelve. 6 After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers[d] at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. 7 Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as though I had been born at the wrong time, I also saw him. 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 New Living Translation (NLT)

The four Gospels, Matthew, Mark Luke and John, all tell us that Jesus was crucified, died and was buried in an unused tomb. What do these four Gospels say about the resurrection and Jesus’ rising from the dead? Let us first look at the sequence of events over the period after Jesus death till he ascended. Some of the sequence events have more than one Gospel reporting them, but for brevity, I will only give one reference to Scripture. The tomb is empty

• Two Marys watch the burial: (Matthew 27:61, Mark 15:47, Luke23:54-55)
• Roman soldiers guard the tomb (Matthew 27:62-66)
• Women prepare spices then rest: (Luke 23:56)
• Women arrive at dawn with spices: (Matthew 28:1, Mark 16:1-4, Luke 24:1-3, John 20:1)
• An angel rolls the stone away: (Matthew 28:2-4)
• Angels appear to women: (Matthew 28:5-7, Mark 16:5-7, Luke 24:4-8)
• Women run back to tell the disciples that the tomb is empty: (Matthew 28:8, Mark 16:8, Luke 24:9-11, John 20:2)
• Peter and John investigate the empty tomb: (Luke 24:12, John 20:3-9)
• Peter and John go home: (Luke 24:12, John 20:10)
• Mary Magdalene weeps by the tomb and sees two angels: (John 20:11-13)

Jesus’ appearances

• Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene: (Mark 16:9, John 20:14-17)
• Jesus appears to the other women: (Matthew 28:9-10)
• Women report to the disciples that Jesus appeared to them: (Mark 16:10-11, John 20:18)
• Guards testify to the priests: (Matthew 28:11-15)
• Jesus appears to Simon Peter: (1 Corinthians 15:5, Luke 24:34)
• 2 report to disciples in Jerusalem: Luke 24:33-35)
• Jesus appears to the Disciples less Thomas: (Luke 24:36-43, John 20:19-24)
• Disciples report to Thomas: (John 20:25)
• Jesus appears to the Disciples, including Thomas: (Mark 16:14, John 20:26-29)
• Jesus appears to seven people: (John 21:1-14)
• Jesus questions Peter 3 times: (John 21:15-23)
• Jesus appears to 500 people: (1 Corinthians 15:6)
• Jesus appears to James: (1 Corinthians 15:7)

Evidences for the resurrection These facts remain for the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. Note the amazingly changed attitude of the disciples after seeing the risen Jesus. They were like new people: changed from a group of defeated, cowardly people to victorious, brave people who rejoiced. Next, if Jesus’ body was still lying dead in the tomb, then surely the Roman or Jewish authorities would have produced his dead body in order to quench the new movement. But they didn’t. Nobody who could have produced the dead body of Jesus, did so. Their silence is as significant as the preaching of the Apostles. With that in mind, look at the multiple appearances of Jesus to various numbers of individuals and groups of people at various times of the day and in differing circumstances. Finally for today, note the survival, growth and impact of the early church and the church down through history. If there was no bodily resurrection of Jesus’ would people have risked persecution and death for a knowing lie? Jesus Christ really did physically rise from the dead, conquering satan, sin and death and into a new body! WOW! But what about dealing with doubts that naturally occur? We will look at that in the next podcast.

  Part 8. Non-Judgment and Forgiveness

It is not right to judge anyone, even if you have seen someone sinning and wallowing in the violations of God’s laws with your own eyes, as is said in the word of God: "Judge not, that you not be judged" (Mt. 7:1). "Who are you that you judge another man’s servant? to his own master he stands or falls. Yea, he shall be held up: for God is able to make him stand" (Rom. 14:4). It is much better always to bring to memory the words of the apostle: "Wherefore let him who thinks he stands take heed incase he falls" (1 Cor. 10:12). One must not harbor anger or hatred towards a person that is hostile toward us. On the contrary, one must love him and do as much good as possible towards him, following the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ: "Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you" (Mt. 5:44). If then we will try to fulfill all this to the extent of our power, we can hope that God’s light will begin to shine in our hearts, lighting our path to the heavenly Jerusalem. Why do we judge our neighbors? Because we are not trying to get to know ourselves. Someone busy trying to understand himself has no time to notice the shortcomings of others. Judge yourself — and you will stop judging others. Judge a poor deed, but do not judge the doer. It is necessary to consider yourself the most sinful of all, and to forgive your neighbor every poor deed. One must hate only the devil, who tempted him. It can happen that someone might appear to be doing something bad to us, but in reality, because of the doer's good intentions, it is a good deed. Besides, the door of penitence is always open, and it is not known who will enter it sooner — you, "the judge," or the one judged by you.

An excerpt from the teachings of Seraphim of Sarov of the 18th & 19th centuries. He was one of the most renowned Russian saints in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Seraphim extended the monastic teachings of contemplation, theoria and self-denial to the layperson.

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A question often asked is what has Jesus’ death done for humanity?

• Our natural state – We are all sinners, separate from God (Romans 3:23).
• Forgiveness – God forgives our sins – (Ephesians 1:7).
• Reconciled us to God – We are no longer enemies of God (2 Corinthians 5:19).
• Peace – We have peace with God – (Romans 5:1).
• Justified us – Makes us just before God - (Romans 3:24-26).
• Cleanses from sin – (1 John 1:7).
• Makes us right before God (2 Corinthians 5:21).
• Freedom from the power of slavery to sin (Galatians 5:1).
• Gives us direct access to God (Ephesians 2:18).
• Freedom from the power of the devil – (Hebrews 2: 14).
• Gives us Christ’s intercession (Hebrews 2:17-18).

None of the above things apply to those who do not follow Jesus and are therefore not in an active, dynamic, personal and intimate relationship with Him. Are you following this Jesus yet and interacting with Him?

“Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. For your hands are stained with blood, your fingers with guilt. Your lips have spoken falsely, and your tongue mutters wicked things.” (Isaiah 59:1-3).

The Problem

Sin is what separates humans from God and consequently leads to both a spiritual and physical death (Isaiah 59:2; Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23,). In the Old Testament, sins were dealt with by blood sacrifices of atonement as coverings for sin (Leviticus 17:11), for without the shedding of blood there can be no remission of sin (Hebrews 9:22). A blood sacrifice is God's way of dealing with sin. These blood sacrifices of the Old Testament signified several things:

• It provided a covering for sin
• It showed the great cost of sin
• It was an exchange or substitution
• It was only always going to be a temporary measure, as it pointed forward to Jesus' death

The Solution If that is the problem, what therefore is the solution and who can provide it? We see this solution clearly here:

It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: ‘Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. Then I said, “Here I am – it is written about me in the scroll - I have come to do your will, my God.”’ (Hebrews 10:4-7)

The solution was not to be through the continual animal sacrifices, because as we see in Hebrews 10:7, the blood of animals simply cannot take away sin. This blood could only ever only be a veneer or mere covering. That was why it was necessary to repeat time and time again. However, there is a permanent solution. That permanent solution was achieved only through the death of Jesus. His death sees that sin can be completely taken away (Hebrews 9:11-15, 26-28. Our Response We are to respond to God with love. A love of which we need to willingly go to God to accept. It is a love which is always giving, always sacrificial and always present.

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” (1 John 3:16).

How have you responded to this love of Jesus Christ for you, if indeed you have? If you are a Christian Disciple, when was the last time you told somebody this good news of Jesus Christ and what sacrifices are you prepared to do for the sake of God’s Kingdom here on earth?

Part 7. Mercy

It is necessary to be merciful to those wretched and wandering. The great light givers and Fathers of the Church took great care concerning this. In relation to this virtue we must try by all means to fulfil the following law of God: "Be merciful, as your Father also is merciful," and, "I will have mercy, and not sacrifice" (Luke. 6:36; Matthew 9:13). The wise heed these saving words, but the foolish do not heed them. For this reason the reward is also different, as is said: "He which sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully" (2 Corinthians 9:6). Giving alms to those in need must be done with a spiritually kind disposition, in agreement with the teachings of St. Isaac the Syrian: "If you give anything to him who asks, may the joy of your face precede your alms, and comfort his sorrow with kind words." An excerpt from the teachings of Seraphim of Sarov of the 18th & 19th centuries. He was one of the most renowned Russian saints in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Seraphim extended the monastic teachings of contemplation, theoria and self-denial to the layperson.

13 See, my servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted. 14 Just as there were many who were appalled at him— his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and his form marred beyond human likeness— 15 so he will sprinkle many nations, and kings will shut their mouths because of him. For what they were not told, they will see, and what they have not heard, they will understand. Isaiah 52:13-15 10 Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand. 11 After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Isaiah 53:10-12 The prophet Isaiah, centuries before Jesus’ birth, was speaking about the Messiah who was to come. As we have seen together, Jesus is this Messiah. As we look together briefly at John 19, correlate the two passages and see how they interlink. Jesus condemned Pilate gave in and permitted the flogging and mockery in the hope of shaming Jesus’ accusers (John 19:1-3) despite affirming Jesus’ innocence after the scourging (John 19:4). Jesus knew that his work of bring people back to God in a loving relationship did not rest on the actions of a mere Roman governor. Therefore, Jesus’ refusal to answer Pilate, stung Pilate into reminding Jesus of his Roman authority (John 19:10) – an authority that could grant pardon or death. Jesus, however, corrected Pilate’s idea of authority and told him that although Pilate may have power on earth, his power did reach beyond earth (John 19:11). Pilate was more concerned with his own position than he was for justice... Jesus crucified

• Jesus, bearing his own cross, was killed as a common criminal (John 19:17).
• Pilate was responsible for fixing the sign “The King of the Jews” (John 19:21-22).
• Jesus showed concern for his mother, even when he Himself was in agony, committing her to the Apostle John (John 19:26-27).
• The crucifixion site was outside the city walls on purpose. This was because the Law forbade execution within the walls of the city. It was also for sanitary reasons as often the rotting crucified corpse would hang on the cross for day. This also served as a vivid image to warn others of the disgrace and to act as a deterrent
• Jesus’ uttered some final words moments before his death – “I am thirsty.” (John 19:28) and “It is finished.” (John 19:30).
• The breaking of legs speeded up the process of death (John 19:32-33).
• The desire of the Jews (John 19:32) to fulfil their rituals was important because the Sabbath fell within the Passover festival.
• The piercing of Jesus’ side and the flow of blood and water proved Jesus was truly dead (John 19:34).

Jesus buried Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus buried Jesus. The significance of “in which no-one had ever been laid” (John 19:41) is to demonstrate that the body of Jesus at no point encountered the decay of a dead body.

Part 6. Love for Neighbours

One must behave affectionately toward one’s neighbours, not showing even a hint of offense. When we turn away from a person or offend him, it is as if a rock settles on our heart. One must try to cheer the spirit of an embarrassed or dejected person with words of love. When you see a brother sinning, cover him, as counselled by St. Isaac the Syrian: "Stretch out your vestment over the sinner and cover him." In our relations with our neighbours we must be equally pure towards everyone in word as well as in thought; otherwise we will make our life useless. We must love others no less than ourselves, in accordance with the law of the Lord: "You shalt love your neighbour as yourself" (Luke 10:27). But not so much that our love for others, by extending past the boundaries of moderation, diverts us from fulfilling the first and main law of love towards God, as our Lord Jesus Christ himself taught: "He that loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me" (Matthew 10:37).

An excerpt from the teachings of Seraphim of Sarov of the 18th & 19th centuries. He was one of the most renowned Russian saints in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Seraphim extended the monastic teachings of contemplation, theoria and self-denial to the layperson.

Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. You are those who have stood by me in my trials. And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Luke 22:25-30). In this teaching, we can clearly see that:

• The disciples, the new leaders, will judge the tribes of Israel.#
• His followers are to serve gladly,
• His followers will be tested
• His followers will face persecution and are to show love.

Plans Compared

Let us now go on to see the contrast between the plan of Jesus and those of his enemies. We see that all the elements in the plot conspiring against Jesus had been allowed for. The death of Jesus was no accident and we see clearly that the plans concerning Jesus involved:

• Jesus is in total control of the events
• Jesus plans the Passover meal (Luke 22:7-12).
• The meal is part of his plan (Luke 22:16).
• He knows Judas’ plan (Luke 22:21-22).
• Replaces the old leaders of God with his men (Luke 22:30).

The plans of his enemies involved:

• Plotting to kill Jesus (Luke 22:2).
• Arranges for Judas to betray Jesus (Luke 22:3).
• Satan’s purpose is to destroy Jesus (Luke 22:3, Luke 22:31).

New Covenant

The new covenant is a new meal, to remind his followers in every age about the work of Jesus Christ on the Cross. Today we call it, amongst other names, the Lord’s Supper or Holy Communion. In this new covenant (Luke 22:20) Jesus claims that his death was spoken about by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 31:33-34). It was a new covenant in which God’s people will be able to know Him intimately, for their sins will be forgiven.

When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfilment in the kingdom of God." After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed, but woe to that man who betrays him." They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this. (Luke 22:14-23)

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Part 5. Love for God

He who has acquired perfect love for God goes through this life as if he did not exist. For he considers himself a stranger to all that is visible and awaits with patience that which is unseen. He is completely transformed into love for God and has abandoned all worldly attachments. He who truly loves God considers himself a wanderer and newcomer on earth, for in him is a striving towards God in soul and mind, which contemplates Him alone. As for care of the soul, a person in his body is like a lighted candle. The candle must burn out, and a person must die. But as our soul is immortal, so our cares should be directed more toward the soul than the body: "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:26)" for which, as is known, nothing in the world can serve as ransom? If the soul alone is worth more than all the world and the worldly kingdom, then the Kingdom of Heaven is incomparably more precious. We consider the soul as most precious for the reason stated by Macarius the Great, that God did not desire to bond and unite His spiritual essence with any visible creation except man, whom He loves more than any of His creations.

An excerpt from the teachings of Seraphim of Sarov of the 18th & 19th centuries. He was one of the most renowned Russian saints in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Seraphim extended the monastic teachings of contemplation, theoria and self-denial to the layperson.