Mark’s reporting has caused us to investigate the Good News of Jesus’ life and ministry. Our aim is to learn the essential elements of the Good News so that we may have a clear and accurate understanding of “the news” our family and friends need to hear about Jesus.   

The third essential element of the Good News is the “Resurrection of Jesus.” I assure you that after examining the facts reported by Mark you will come away with a clear understanding as to the meaning of the resurrection. 

The Bible states that Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after His crucifixion.  This happened according to the many predictions He had made to His disciples. Jesus’ victory over death enables those who believe in Him to experience a “new life” now and beyond the grave. Consider the following… 

A. Jesus’ resurrection was Predicted: As already mentioned, Jesus predicted his own death and coming back to life again on several occasions. No one in history has ever predicted their death and coming back to life again (Mark 10:32-34) 

B. Jesus’ resurrection was Proved: Jesus appeared to His disciples on at least ten separate occasions following His crucifixion and resurrection. At these times, His disciples were invited to touch Him and eat with Him to help their belief (16:1-8). 

C. Resurrection Meaning: Acts 10:39-43 records the Apostle Peter speaking to Cornelius, a Roman Centurion and non-Christian, who had been stationed at Caesarea. There are five things to note in this encounter between Peter and Cornelius regarding the meaning of the resurrection… 

1. All people will be RAISED: The Acts passage refers to the “living and the dead.” This helps us to understand that death is not the end of our lives.  First Corinthians also points to the day when all people who have ever lived will be raised from the dead: “But the truth is that Christ has been raised from death, as the guarantee that those who sleep in death will also be raised” (15:20). This is “good news” for some, but not everyone.  The next point explains why. 

2. All people will be JUDGED: Why will some people not be excited about being raised after death? The purpose of being raised is judgment! We are not free agents, but must give an account for every thought and action to the God of Creation who gave us life (Acts 10:42). Romans 14:10-12 says, Remember, each of us will stand personally before the judgment seat of God. For the Scriptures say, “As surely as I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow to Me and every tongue will confess allegiance to God.” Yes, each of us will have to give a personal account to God (NLT). 

3. The risen Jesus will be the JUDGE: Jesus is the one whom God has appointed judge over the living and the dead. Now, this is good news! Why? Because Jesus is a perfect judge. We will get justice! Jesus knows everything about everyone and all things.  We will be treated according to how we have responded to Him and what He did for us (v. 42). Psalm 139 says that God “discerns our thoughts from far away” and is “acquainted with all our ways”. 

4. All people will be DIVIDED into two groups: At Judgment, everyone will be divided into two groups: The positive side is for those who believe in Jesus now. Their sins have now been forgiven, and they will be accepted by Jesus then. The negative side is for those who reject Jesus now. Their sins are not forgiven, and will be rejected by Jesus then (Mark 8:38). 

5. The division is FOREVER: In the Bible there is no concept of a second chance after death. This life, now, is our one and only opportunity to set our affairs right with God (2 Thess. 1:9-10). Scripture says that the decision we make regarding Jesus will have eternal consequences. How long is forever? Imagine your lifetime as a dot which starts a never-ending line. 

In conclusion: It is right to say that our attitude to Jesus in this life will be the same as His attitude to us in the next. If we accept Him now, He will accept us then. If we reject Him now, He will reject us then. Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in Me, even though they die like everyone else, will live again. They are given eternal life for believing in Me and will never perish” (Jn. 11:25-26). 

Friends, the resurrection of Jesus is our confident hope that takes us beyond the grave into the everlasting presence of God. That is why the resurrection of Jesus is Great News that is worth reporting to our family and friends. 

(Next week’s topic under investigation – “The Good News: Grace versus Good Works”.) Bill