The Man of Galilee
The resurrection of Christ is the central fact of Christianity, proving His power over death and sin.
Selwyn Hughes emphasizes the foundational importance of Christ's resurrection in Christianity, highlighting it as the core truth that sets Christianity apart from other world religions. Despite modern voices questioning the bodily resurrection of Jesus, Hughes affirms the essentiality of this event for the Christian faith. He addresses the skepticism surrounding Christ's resurrection, refuting claims that the bones of Jesus may still exist and emphasizing the significance of the empty tomb. Through his message, Hughes aims to deepen the congregation's understanding and conviction regarding the truth of Christ's resurrection.
Text
"For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance ... that he was raised on the third day ..." (vv. 3-4)
For reading & meditation:
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
What other world religion has at its heart such a glorious fact as our Lord's resurrection? Christianity is the only faith whose Founder died upon a cross, was buried for three days, and then returned from the dead. There are voices in today's church trying to persuade us that the resurrection of Christ never took place - that our Lord did not rise from the dead in bodily form. "It is not necessary to believe in the bodily resurrection of Christ in order to be a Christian," says one modern-day religious teacher. He goes on to claim: 'We may freely say that the bones of Jesus are still lying somewhere in the land of Israel." "I quite expect," says another religious writer, "that the bones of Jesus will be dug up one day." And a few years ago, David Jenkins, the former Anglican bishop, shocked the Christian world, as you probably know, with the statement: 'I have not the slightest interest in a conjuring trick with bones.' In the British Museum in London there used to be a grim exhibit known as 'The Galilee Man," so called because the remains were found in the area surrounding Galilee. I remember thinking to myself the first time I visited the British Museum and saw that the exhibit was captioned "The Galilee Man," how wonderful that the disinterred bones of the Galilee man are not the remains of the Man of Galilee.
Loving heavenly Father, help me understand even more deeply the truth of Your Son's resurrection, for such an important truth cannot be left to lie in the realm of uncertainty. Take my hand and lead me more deeply into this truth. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Sermon Outline
- The Significance of the Resurrection
- The Denial of the Resurrection
- The Contrast Between the Galilee Man and the Man of Galilee
- The Disinterred Bones of the Galilee Man
- The Significance of the Man of Galilee's Resurrection
Key Quotes
“What other world religion has at its heart such a glorious fact as our Lord's resurrection?” — Selwyn Hughes
“There are voices in today's church trying to persuade us that the resurrection of Christ never took place - that our Lord did not rise from the dead in bodily form.” — Selwyn Hughes
“I have not the slightest interest in a conjuring trick with bones.” — Selwyn Hughes
Application Points
- Believing in the bodily resurrection of Christ is essential to understanding the significance of His sacrifice and the hope of eternal life.
- The resurrection of Christ gives us hope and assurance of eternal life, and reminds us of the power of God to overcome death and sin.
- We must not be swayed by modern-day voices that question the resurrection of Christ, but instead hold fast to the truth of Scripture.