Life After Life After Death
March 27, 2016
When the resurrected Jesus told Mary not to cling to Him, he was gently correcting Mary’s hope that Jesus, like Lazarus, had been been returned to her and the disciples and life could now “get back to normal.” As humans our perspective of life and death is limited. We always assume that life as we know it is preferable to the life to come. What Mary couldn’t understand, was that Lazarus had been raised to life only to die again. Jesus, however, would never again die. Mary wanted to hold on to Jesus, but He wanted her to understand that there is something better than resuscitation, He came to give us RESURRECTION. How often we long for the return of our dead loved ones, wanting to hold on to them for just a little while longer. Jesus’ invitation to “let go” is an invitation to believe that resurrection is better than resuscitation; that life after life after death is the ultimate victory.
What is Jesus’ mission? (See John 10:10)
What are the purposes of the “signs” recorded in John’s Gospel? (see John 20:31)
What was the significance of the “seventh sign” in John’s Gospel? (see John 11)
What is the “eighth sign” in John’s Gospel? (See John 20)
Jesus’ resurrected body is immortal but not immaterial
(see John 20:17; 20:27; 21:12-13; Luke 24:13-31)
Three things the resurrection could mean for you:
- You no longer need to fear judgment for your sin – its been forgiven.
- You no longer have to worry about death – its been defeated.
- You no longer need to worry about your life or your future – its been secured.
What do you need to do in response to the claims of the resurrection?
- Investigate these claims on my own
- Investigate these claims with others
- Accept these claims as true and place my faith in Jesus Christ
- Like Mary, tell others that Jesus is Alive!
Suggested Resources:
Josh McDowell, More Than a Carpenter
Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ
Gary Habermas, The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus