February 27: Jesus lives forever

Steve Smartt is pastor of Moultrie Baptist Church in St. Augustine.

We close this study of the Gospel of Luke with the conclusion that provides us with the greatest impetus for hope. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is, without a doubt, the most substantial proof for our expectations beyond the grave. If Christ is not raised and alive today, then there is no resurrection, life is meaningless, and the Christian life is a charade. However, because Christ is alive, everything about His sacrificial atonement and His life of obedience is established. The existing proof guarantees us that, having completed His atoning work upon the cross unto death, Jesus is alive, seated in honor, and is interceding on our behalf.

In his book, Immortality—The Other Side of Death, co-authored with J.P. Moreland, Liberty University Professor and respected theologian, Gary Habermas expresses his confidence in the resurrection and its implications. He writes that “well over 300 verses are concerned with the subject of Jesus’ resurrection in the New Testament. [This] event is a sign for unbelievers; as well as the answer for the believer’s doubt. It serves as the guarantee that Jesus’ teachings are true and is the center of the Gospel itself. Further, the resurrection is the impetus for evangelism, the key indication of the believer’s daily power to live the Christian life and the reason for the total commitment of our lives.” Therefore, the resurrection of Jesus Christ remains the most significant historical event in history as it provides powerful assurance for the believer.

In the days following the crucifixion, however, there was uncertainty among His followers as many questions remained unanswered. As two of those disciples were walking along the road to Emmaus, they were greeted by the resurrected Lord and were “kept from recognizing Him.” Imagining that He must be a visitor to Jerusalem, the manner in which they recollected the events to Him revealed their desire to understand what had happened in light of the reports of His disappearance and the claims that He was alive (22-24). Like anyone else seeking to understand the resurrection, they were faced with unintentional doubts. Little did they realize that the proof was standing right beside them!

As Jesus began to reveal to them the truth of the Christ’s suffering and resurrection, He did so by reminding them of the unmistakable evidence spoken of centuries before in the prophetic Scriptures (25-29). In the pages of the prophets, the identity of Christ is revealed, His mission proclaimed, and His resurrection assured. In addition to the prophecies fulfilled and the detailed accounts of Christ’s physical presence among His disciples and friends (such as those on the road to Emmaus) are the more than 500 others who witnessed His resurrection life (30-36). These were eyewitness testimonies agreeing to the certainty of the resurrection.

Returning to Jerusalem “with great joy,” the disciples remained at the temple praising God (50-53). Having witnessed His ascension and His promise fulfilled, their only appropriate response was to worship Him and to tell others of this Good News.

We know that Jesus is alive not only because of the historical and biblical evidence but also because He has miraculously touched our lives. As Kurt E. DeHaan explained, “Christ is alive, and the evidence is overwhelming.” Jesus predicted it; the Old Testament prophesied to it; the empty tomb verified it; people touched Him, heard Him speak, and saw Him eat; His disciples were emboldened; His church was explosive; and His Spirit lives in His followers today. Jesus is alive and He lives forever! Just as the disciples responded in worship, we should likewise adore His glory and wait joyfully for His return!