8. =Jesus on the Cross.= At Calvary Jesus was fastened to the cross by nails through his hands and feet (Luke 23. 33; John 20. 25). He was crucified at nine o"clock in the morning and lived until three o"clock in the afternoon (Mark 15. 25-34). The stupefying potion offered to him before he was crucified (Mark 15. 23). Note the four versions of the superscription (Matt. 27. 37; Mark 15. 26; Luke 23. 38; John 19. 19).
The witnesses (John 19. 25).
9. =The Seven Words from the Cross.= The first word (Luke 23. 34). The second word (John 19. 26, 27). The third word (Luke 23. 43). The fourth word (Matt. 27. 46). The fifth word (John 19. 28). The sixth word (John 19. 30). The seventh word (Luke 23. 46).
10. =The Death on the Cross.= The fact (Mark 15. 37). A remarkable testimony (Mark 15. 39). A remarkable event (Matt. 27. 51-53). An evidence of his death (John 19. 32-35).
11. =The Burial.= Why the body was taken away (John 19. 31). How it was obtained (John 19. 38). The preparation (John 19. 39, 40). The place of burial (Matt. 27. 59, 60). The witnesses (Matt. 27. 61). The sealing of the tomb (Matt. 27. 62-66).
Blackboard Outline
DAY OF CRUCIFIXION
I. =Gen. Vie.= 1. On. Da. 2. Ev. Da. 3. Imp. Da.
II. =Pla.= 1. Gar. Geth. 2. H. P. Ho. 3. Pil. Pal. 4. Her. Pal.
5. Cal. Gol.
III. =Jour.= 1. Geth. H.-p. Ho. 2. H.-p Ho. Pil. Pal. 3. Pil. Pal.
Her. Pal. Re. 4. Pil. Pal. Calv.
IV. =Events.= 1. Betr. 2. J. bef. Ann. 3. J. bef. Cai. 4. J. bef.
Pil. 5. J. bef. Her. 6. J. Con. Dea. 7. J. Bear. Cro. 8. J.
on Cro. 9. Sev. Wo. Cro. 10. De. Cro. 11. Bur.
Questions for Review
How long was this period? What was its date in the Jewish year? What shows that it was an eventful day?
Why was this the most important day in the world"s history? What are the five places named in this period? State the probable location of each place.
Name four journeys of this period. Name eleven events of this period. Before what rulers was Jesus brought for examination or trial? State the seven utterances of Jesus on the cross. What took place at the moment of Jesus"s death? Why was the body buried so soon? Why was the tomb sealed? Who witnessed the burial?
TENTH STUDY
The Forty Days of Resurrection
From the Resurrection to the Ascension of Christ
I. =The Necessity of Christ"s Resurrection.= Strange as the resurrection may appear to men in general, and unexpected as it was to the disciples of Jesus, it was the necessary completion of his work on earth.
1. It was necessary =from the nature of Christ=. A divine man, it was impossible that he should be held in the grave (Acts 2. 24). His resurrection showed that he was the Son of G.o.d (Rom. 1. 4).
2. It was necessary =for the fulfillment of prophecy=. Jesus himself declared that the prophecies pointed to his resurrection (Luke 24. 45, 46). The apostles constantly appealed to the Old Testament prophecies (Acts 13. 34, 35; 26. 22, 23; 1 Cor. 15. 4).
3. It was necessary for the =work of redemption=. He lived as our example, and he must appear before G.o.d as our high priest and mediator (Rom. 4. 25; 8. 34; 1 Cor. 15. 17).
4. It was necessary for the =faith of the disciples=. If Christ had not risen the world would never have heard of his life and the church would never have existed (1 Cor. 15. 19, 20; 1 Pet. 1. 3).
5. It was necessary to =attest Christ"s authority=. But for the resurrection the name of Jesus could have possessed no more weight than any other name. Raised from the dead he has all power (Matt. 28. 18; Acts 13. 33; 17. 31).
6. It was necessary as a =pledge of our resurrection=. If Christ rose we too shall rise (Acts 26. 23; 1 Cor. 15. 12, 20-23).
II. =The Fact of Christ"s Resurrection.=
1. =It was proved by the testimony of witnesses.= See Acts 1. 3; 2. 32.
The conduct of the disciples before and after the resurrection was in itself a proof. Before they were in sorrow (Mark 16. 10; Luke 24. 17).
Afterward they were glad (Luke 24. 52; John 20. 20). The Christian Church to-day is the best evidence; for without the resurrection it could never have been established.
2. =It was effected by the power of G.o.d.= (Acts 3. 15; Rom. 8. 11; Eph.
1. 20). Jesus speaks of his own power in connection with this (John 2.
19; 10. 18). The Holy Spirit is also mentioned as raising Christ from the dead (1 Peter 3. 18).
3. It took place =on the first day of the week=. (Mark 16. 9). In commemoration of this event the first day of the week was observed by the early Church (Acts 20. 7; 1 Cor. 16. 2). The name given to this day (Rev. 1. 10).
4. It took place on =the third day after his death=. The body of Jesus was in the grave between thirty and thirty-six hours--from sunset on Friday to daybreak on Sunday. But in the Jewish notation of time this was three days (Luke 24. 46; Acts 10. 40; 1 Cor. 15. 4).
III. =The Ten Appearances of Jesus after his Resurrection.= It is not easy, perhaps not possible, to harmonize precisely all the accounts in the gospels and in 1 Cor. 15. 4-7. But the best authorities unite in the following order of the manifestations of Christ between the resurrection and the ascension:
1. =To Mary Magdalene= (Mark 16. 9). This was at the sepulcher, very soon after the resurrection. Several women went to the sepulcher, found it open, and were told by an angel that Jesus had risen. They went to bear the news to the disciples (Mark 16. 1-8; Matt. 28. 1-8; Luke 24.
1-10). Mary Magdalene returned after the rest had gone and saw the risen Lord (John 20. 1-18). Notice that this Mary is to be carefully distinguished from Mary of Bethany, John 11. 2, and from the unnamed woman in Luke 7. 37.
2. =To the other women= (Matt. 28. 9). This was near the sepulcher, a few minutes later than the first appearance. The names of these women (Mark 16. 1; Luke 24. 10).
3. =To two disciples= (Luke 24. 13-32). The place where Jesus was revealed (Luke 24. 13). The name of Luke"s probable informant (Luke 24.
18).
4. =To Peter= (Luke 24. 33, 34; 1 Cor. 15. 5). This was in Jerusalem.
What took place at this meeting has not been revealed.
5. =To ten disciples= (Luke 24. 36-43). Another account in John 20.
19-25. This was in the upper room in Jerusalem, where the Last Supper had been partaken, and it was on the evening of the day of resurrection.
6. =To eleven disciples= (John 20. 26-29). This was in the same place a week later.
7. =To seven disciples= at the Sea of Galilee (John 21. 1-22). At this interview Peter was reinstated in his apostleship.
8. =To five hundred disciples= (1 Cor. 15. 6). This was the official manifestation of Christ appointed before his death (Matt. 26. 32; 28.
16). It took place "on the mountain" (Rev. Ver.), probably where the Sermon on the Mount was preached. At this time the great commission was given (Matt. 28. 18-20).
9. =To James= (1 Cor. 15. 7). Nothing is known about this meeting. The relationship of James to Jesus (Mark 6. 3; Gal. 1. 19). Allusions to him in Acts 15. 13; 21. 18. His epistle (James 1. 1). Probably this appearance was in Jerusalem (Acts 1. 14).
10. =The Ascension= (Luke 24. 50-53; Acts 1. 9). This was at Bethany, on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives (Acts 1. 12). The promise at his departure (Acts 1. 10, 11).
This list of appearances should be carefully memorized and the place of each noted on the map, with its circ.u.mstances and events.