Introduction:
1. The resurrection is one of the central tenets of Christianity.
2. Such a weighty theme naturally raises questions.
3. Thankfully, the Bible gives us all we need to know to live in hope.
Discussion:
I. How Will We Appear in Heaven?
A. We all have likely wondered about this question (1 Corinthians 15:35).
B. The NT gives no clear description of our eternal bodies, but we can glean some valuable insights.
1. Unlike our earthly bodies, our heavenly bodies do not decay or decline (1 Corinthians 15:42-46, 50-54; 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:4).
2. It is a body transformed to be like Jesus’ resurrected body (Philippians 3:20-21; 1 John 3:1-3).
C. Though we cannot know what our appearance will be, we do know the essence of our resurrection bodies.
II. How Did Martha Know of the Resurrection?
A. This question arises from the lack of a fully formed doctrine of the resurrection in the OT.
B. However, it may be more complete than we realize.
1. Four resurrections occurred in the OT breeding familiarity (1 Samuel 28; 1 Kings 17:17-24; 2 Kings 4:32-37; 13:21).
2. Abraham was willing to sacrifice Isaac due to his faith in God’s power to resurrect him (Hebrews 11:17-19).
3. David understood he would go to his deceased child (2 Samuel 12:15-23).
4. Ezekiel’s valley of dry bones, though likely describing the restoration of Judah, discusses resurrection (Ezekiel 37).
5. Daniel 12:2 is the most prominent OT passage in this vein.
6. The Pharisees clearly had a developed doctrine of the resurrection (Acts 23:6-8).
C. Finally, she had no doubt learned of the resurrection from Jesus’ prior teachings (Luke 14:12-14; John 5:21, 28-29; 6:39-44, 54).
III. Who Raised Jesus from the Dead?
A. Various passages seem to give different answers:
1. Jesus indicated that He would (John 2:18-22; 10:17-18).
2. Acts 2:24, 32; 4:10; 5:30 all say the Father raised Him.
B. Though difficult to grasp, Jesus’ dual nature helps.
1. The term “God” is not a name but a description:
a. Heb. Elohim- plural, divine ones, gods, the true God (BDB)
b. Gr. Theos- gods (Acts 7:40; 14:11), the true God
c. Jesus was God and man while on earth and remained “the man, Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:6-8; 1 Timothy 2:4-5).
2. When He died, His human body remained in the tomb, but His Divine Spirit went to paradise (Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 12:1-4).
3. We cannot know what transpired while He was back in the heavenly realm.
4. What we can know is that when His Divine Spirit returned to His inanimate human body, that body was raised.
C. It was certainly the Father’s doing, but could this be a case like that of the creation of the cosmos?
1. Genesis 1:1 says God created the heavens and the earth.
2. John 1:1; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2 all confirm that Jesus created all created things.
3. Since Jesus is God (Deity), if one asked if God or Jesus created the cosmos, the correct answer is yes.
4. It seems this may also be the best answer to the question of who raised Jesus from the dead.
Conclusion:
1. Though we will all likely carry some questions concerning the resurrection to our graves, they will all be answered by and by.
2. Thankfully, we have enough to live in the hope of eternity.
3. May we always ponder these tremendous blessings.