JESUS TRIUMPH OVER DEATH

JESUS TRIUMPH OVER DEATH

 

Ideas about life after death

 

vSome believe life continues in one form or the other. vOthers do not believe in life after death at all.

vThere are those who believe that the dead have the influence on the living. vOther people believe that a person’s actions in this life determined the next life. vChristians believe that there will be a resurrection of the dead.

vBasically people hold on to the following beliefs about life after death e.g.

 

 

v Death is the end of everything. vLife goes on beyond death.

vChristian preachers believe and teach that there will be a resurrection.

vThose who believe in death as a cessation of life have no bearing on the next, since they say there is none.

vIn Zambia Traditional Religion, believe that life continues beyond death. vThough they may not say that the present life determines the next life.

vThey also believe that those who die badly, either by a disease or away from home, tend to deal with the living in a bad way.

vThey bring curses, bad luck, disease, death and bareness.

 

JESUS RAISING DEAD PEOPLE

 

During the time of Jesus, many people faced death. Jesus was concern      about the people’s welfare both physically and spiritually.

 

a) The widow’s son at Nain– Luke7:11-16

 

vNain was a small town, east of Nazareth. vThe widow lived there and had only one son. vUnfortunately her only son died.

vThis meant that the widow would remain in a terrible state of poverty. vThis miracle made people to recognize Jesus as great prophet. vJesus used His divine power to triumph over death.

 

b) Jesus raises Jairus’ daughter-Luke 8:40–42, 49-56 vJairus held an important position.

vHe was a ruler of a Synagogue, responsible for all organization of the Synagogue. vAt that time, there was an increase in the official disapproval of Jesus.

vTherefore it took much courage for Jairus, a Jewish leader, to approach Jesus to heal his daughter.

vWhile on the way, there were two interruptions.

vThese were a healing miracle; this delayed the procession to Jairus’ house. vJesus received a report that Jairus’ daughter had died.

vJesus responded to the report by saying the child had not died. v‘’Only believe only believe and she will be well.’’

vThe son of God used His power to overcome death by death by raising the girl from death back to life.

vThis miracle too shows that Jesus is Lord both life and death. vIt is only faith in Him, which saves.

 

c) Raising of Lazarus– John 11: 1-44 vLazarus lived in Bethany and was very sick.

vJesus was near this location and heard about the sickness.

vHowever, Jesus never hurried to Bethany, though He heard that His friend had died.

 

vJesus was to raise him back to life and prove that He was in unity with the father as son of God.

vMartha Lazarus’ sister believed that it was too late for Jesus to heal her brother. vJesus told her that Lazarus would rise to life.

vJesus saw physical death as an enemy to be destroyed and as the weapon of Satan. vJesus was filled with sorrow and determined to win a victory over death.

 

TEACHING ABOUT LIFE AFTER DEATH

vThe stories teach clearly that Jesus is the resurrection and the life.

vWe also learn that Jesus is Lord over death and death cannot conquer Him. vJesus has power over death to set free those who are bound by the power of Satan.

 

THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS-LUKE 24:1-48 a) The women at the tomb –Luke 24:1-12

vThe women went in the morning and found the tomb empty. vThe Angel said that Jesus had risen.

vThe women told the Good news to the disciples who did not believe.( John 20-11-18) v( Mary Magdalene sees the risen Lord)

 

b) Jesus on the road to Emmaus- Luke 24: 13–53

 

vJesus appeared to the two on the road to Emmaus to show them that He had risen. vJesus reminded the two about the Old Testament prophesy of suffering Messiah.

 

Jesus appears to his disciples in the upper room- Lk 24:36-53

vThe disciples were behind locked doors, talking about these appearances, when suddenly Jesus appeared to them.

vSince the doors were locked, the disciples thought it was a Ghost and were afraid. vJesus calmed their fears by showing them His body of flesh and bones and marks of

crucifixion.

vHe told them to touch Him and asked for some food to eat so that they could be sure that He was alive, since the sprit does not food. – (Lk 24:36-43).

 

The meaning of Christ’s resurrection for the early Christians vActs 2:22-36( Peter’s sermon)

vPeter told the crowd that God had raised Jesus from the dead as foretold in the Old Testament and now He is at the right hand of God.

vThe life, death and the resurrection of Jesus Christ meant that; vJesus was the Messiah spoken of in the Old Testament.

vThe other meaning was that this resurrection brought about new birth (Life). vIt gave them hope of eternal Heaven.

 

Paul writes about the resurrection– (1 Corin 15:1-58)

vJesus’ resurrection is of the greatest importance for Christian religion.

 

vIf Christ is not alive then Christians are biggest liars, losers and fools. vChrist’s resurrection implies our resurrection.

vOne day we will believe in His glory.

vChrist’s resurrection gives assurance of human resurrection, triumph over death and evil and gives power for Christian service.

vPaul teaches that at resurrection time, God will give his people different new bodies.

 

What Christians believe about Jesus Resurrection

vJesus resurrection is God’s approval of Him after being resurrected and killed.

vIt is the confirmation that Jesus is the Messiah, the son of God, through Him we get a new life.( peter 1:3).

vThe resurrection of Jesus is the fulfilment of God’s plan of salvation, showing self–giving love of God in the origin of our salvation.

vIt shows that man can be reconciled to God through Christ’s death. vThe resurrection gives Christians hope for the future life.( 2Cor 5:17) vThe Christian church bases its faith on the death and resurrection of Jesus.

vThe resurrection of Jesus means that God’s power is greater than that of Satan. vThe resurrection is the greatest miracle of all.

 

Religious Comparison on Life after Death

 

a) Christianity Vs Zambian traditional Religion

 

Similarities:

 

vBoth believe in life after death.

vBoth believe that the spirit survive death.

 

Differences:

 

Christianity–Spirits of the dead do not return to earth.

 

Z.T.R- Some spirits return to work as wondering spirits and may cause.

 

Christianity– Spirits of the may not be contacted.

 

Z.T.R- Spirits of the dead may be contacted.

 

b) Christianity Vs Hinduism

 

Similarities:

 

vBoth believe that the Soul does not die.

vBoth teach that there is life after death, depending on how we lived on earth.

 

Differences:

 

Christianity– The spirit of a dead Christian go to live with God.