"Jesus spiritually rose from the dead." That's what certain cults teach.
Is that what the Bible teaches?
John 2:18-21 says, "So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the temple of his body. When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken."
Read Jesus' words carefully. What was Jesus going to raise up after three days? His physical body.
But did this really happen?
Luke 24 says, "And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet."
Jesus told the disciples to examine his resurrected body. They did and they believed.
For the resurrection to happen, Jesus had to die. He did die. He did rise. The disciples saw Him. That event changed the world and history as we know it.
Reflect:
Read Luke 24. What do you think was going through Peter's mind as he ran to the tomb? Why did Jesus go back to the Scriptures after they saw Him alive again?
Respond: Do you still struggle with believing a physical resurrection? Why or why not? How does God's resurrection power encourage you?
Please share your comments below. I'd also love to know what your questions are so I can answer them in the weeks ahead.
If you want to share this Bible reading plan with friends and family, here is the link: https://bttb.org/hard-questions