The Resurrection is Not a Metaphor

"Acts 13:13-41

The resurrection of Jesus attested with the language of history

How can you be sure that you have been forgiven? How can you know that death is not the end? How can you be assured that you will have eternal life?

You can be sure of all this because of the historical facts of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

Luke was writing history. Whereas the psalm for today is poetic, metaphorical, and non-literal, this passage is a different type of literature. At the beginning of his two-volume work (Luke and Acts), Luke says that the evidence of ‘eye-witness’ accounts have been handed down to them. He has carefully investigated everything and written an orderly account ‘so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught’ (Luke 1:3–4).

Today’s passage describes the history of Paul’s travels and reports his speech. Likewise, in his speech, Paul talks about historical facts. He speaks of the death and, in particular, the resurrection of Jesus. He makes four affirmations about the resurrection:

It was an act of God

‘They took him down from the cross and buried him. And then God raised him from death’ (Acts 13:29–30, MSG). What God had promised in the Old Testament, he fulfilled in the New Testament, by ‘raising up Jesus’ (v.33). It had been prophesied in the Old Testament (v.34). ‘He raised Jesus, exactly as described in the second Psalm’ (v.33, MSG).

It is a fact

‘The fact that God raised him from the dead …’ (v.34). The resurrection is not a metaphor. It is not something that is only experienced existentially within our hearts. It is, Paul says, a historical fact. The physical resurrection of Jesus actually happened. Jesus rose bodily from the dead.

‘There is no disputing that – he appeared over and over again many times and places to those who had known him well in the Galilean years, and these same people continue to give witness that he is alive’ (v.31, MSG).

It is unique

The resurrection of Jesus was a unique event in history. Paul contrasts Jesus with David, who ‘has been in the grave, dust and ashes, a long time now’ (v.36b, MSG). Others may have been resuscitated (and then later died), but Jesus was resurrected and his body never saw decay. ‘When he raised him from the dead, he did it for good – no going back to that rot and decay for him’ (v.34a, MSG).

It is good news (v.32)

This is the good news that Paul preached. The resurrection means that the cross was effective, and forgiveness of sins is possible (v.38). Everyone who believes is justified (v.39). Our past can be dealt with and we can live in a right relationship with God.
The historical fact of the resurrection has huge implications for our lives and for the future. If Jesus died, was buried and then raised by God, it means that one day, those who believe in him and have died, will be raised by God to eternal life (see 1 Corinthians 15 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18).

Thank you, Lord, for the amazing good news of the resurrection. Thank you that I need no longer fear death. Thank you that God raised Jesus from the dead and that he was seen by witnesses. Thank you that we have this message of the forgiveness of sins and that everyone who believes in Jesus is justified. Help me, like David, to serve your purpose in my generation by proclaiming this message to as many people as possible."

1. Thank You for the historical facts to affirm the resurrection! Halellujah!

2. The last exam is over! Praise God! Thank You for letting me pass my exam! :)

3. I am so relieved, thank You for giving rest to my mind and some time off.