THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST IN THE GOSPELS

In the previous text, we deal with the resurrection of Christ from the thought of Paul and, briefly, we quote John. In this new text, we will approach this question according to what the authors of the four gospels say. A new text on this subject is justified because of its considerable scope; so much that the contents of this post and of the previous one is only a brief introduction to the subject.

The resurrection of Christ is present throughout the New Testament. It is mentioned explicitly in seventeen books and, implicitly, in the others. All four evangelists devoted part of their gospel to present a detailed narrative of this event. It was also openly taught by Jesus (Mark 12: 18-27) not only theoretically but with practical demonstrations of power by raising three people (Mark 5: 1-24, 35-43, Luke 7: 11-17 and John 11: 1-44).

However, these resurrections that He performed during his ministry were not similar to his, for people who returned to life had to face death again. They were miracles that pointed to the new reality of existence that opened to humanity in the cosmic event of his resurrection, inaugurating a new kind of human life, free from the power of sin and death. In the resurrection, Jesus reached a horizon that surpassed the earthly experience, for even being in the world, it no longer belonged to it; so that after forty days with the disciples, after being resurrected, He ascended to heaven (Acts 1: 3-9-11).

While He was with the disciples, near his end, Jesus warned them three times that He would die, but on the third day He would rise again (Mark 8.31, 9.31, 10.33, 34). After the Last Supper, already in Jerusalem, before being arrested, He said to them, "but after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee" (Mark 14:28). Jesus knew He was going to die and be resurrected. This, however, does not authorize us to think that this destiny would be easy for Him. See his prayer in Gethsemane: My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me..." (Matthew 26.39). And on the cross, He prayed in these terms: "my God, my God, why have you forsaken me? " (Matthew27.46).

The death and resurrection of Christ were an unexpected outcome for the disciples. They imagined that Jesus was going to take the power of the Romans and restore the kingdom of Israel. So much so that the disciples of Emmaus said, "but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel" (Luke 24.21). But instead, Jesus died and they were bewildered. But when they saw him resurrected, the incomprehension turned to amazement. The four evangelists recorded this feeling in the people who went to the empty tomb. It was only after the descent of the Holy Spirit who reminded them of Jesus' teachings that the disciples understood the Master. If Christ had not been resurrected, Christianity would be just one more religion like many others in the world.

Antônio Maia – M.Div.

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