Sermon Date: April 24, 2011
Sermon Title: Easter – Tabloid or Truth?
Sermon Text: Matt. 28:1-8
Small Group Text: Matt. 28:1-8
Don’t be skeptical of the resurrection (v.1-5) The resurrection of Jesus Christ can be an unsettling thought. It’s just not natural! Indeed, the resurrection of Jesus from the dead was as surprising to his friends as it is unsettling for some to believe to this day. And yet, taking all the evidence together, it is not too much to say that there is no historic incident better or more variously supported than the resurrection of Christ. Nothing but the antecedent assumption that it must be false could have suggested the idea of deficiency in the proof of it.” (quote from Canan Wescott of Cambridge University)
28:1-4. The Sabbath had ended at sundown on Saturday evening. At the first light of dawn, several women made their way back to the tomb where Jesus had been buried (Mark 16:1). The Scriptures give two reasons for their visit: • Matthew said the women “went to look at the tomb.” The Greek word “to look” literally means to acknowledge and experience the tomb. In other words, the women were drawn there to grieve the loss of the one who had meant so much to them and to contemplate again all that had happened relative to his life, ministry and death. • Mark’s gospel noted that the women came bringing spices to anoint his body (Mark 16:1). Herein was expressed the deepest love and devotion for Jesus: Even in his death, they cared for him. Upon their arrival, events unfolded that changed not only their lives but the course of human history forever. A forceful earthquake shook the ground as an angel “sent from Heaven” moved the stone that had sealed the tomb’s entrance. There was no mistaking it: the angel was in control and presiding over the scene – his appearance was like that of lightning—flashing, startling, striking, frightening, brilliant. His clothes were like snow— white, pure, glistening. Mark reported that the women “saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed (Mark 16). Luke’s account added another dimension, saying, “suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them (Luke 24:4). It is conceivable that several angels were present at the resurrection and rejoicing over what God had accomplished. Angels typically terrified the people to whom they appeared (e.g., Judges 6:22-23; Judges 13:19-20) and this was no exception. Roman soldiers, stationed for the purpose of guarding the tomb’s access, were stunned – falling to the ground – either unconscious or fully conscious but daring not to move a muscle. They soon deserted their post.
He is risen! 28:5-8. Though the soldiers abandoned their duty in fear, the angel had an extraordinary message for the women. Fear was not the appropriate emotion – but rather, joy! Jesus, who they sought, would not be found in the grave among the dead: He was alive – risen from the dead just as He said (Matthew 16:21; 17:23; 20:19; 26:32). Though he had been tragically killed by the hands of men, Jesus had been gloriously brought back to eternal life by the power of God (Romans 1:4; Ephes. 1:19-20).
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Look at the evidence for the resurrection (v. 6) See for yourself! The women were invited to investigate the evidence for themselves, “Come, see where his body was lying.” They were to be eyewitnesses of His resurrection. That there were hundreds of other eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ resurrection is fundamental to the Christian faith. For if Jesus had failed to rise, He would have been a deceiver, unworthy of our worship and devotion. And if Christ did not rise from the dead, then Christians are, of all people, most deluded and still lost and helpless in sin. Paul in 1 Cor. 15, argued that Christianity stands or falls with the resurrection, the decisive turning point in human history: And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. [15] More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. [16] For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. [17] And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 1 Cor. 15:14-17
Why the resurrection of Jesus Christ is important
(See also the addendum to this lesson from Paul Little’s book, Know Why You Believe)
Jesus’ resurrection is integral to the Christian faith for many reasons. For example: Every promise Jesus uttered in his teaching ministry is ratified by his resurrection and underscores our confidence and faith. In the absence of the resurrection, all his words fall to the ground. • The resurrection of Jesus Christ sets him apart from every founder of man-made religion and validates his deity as the Christ, the King of kings, and the ruler of God’s eternal kingdom. • The expectation of every believer’s resurrection and eternal life hinges on the historicity of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christians can be certain of their resurrection because Jesus was raised from the dead. Death is not the end—there is a future life (Romans 6:8-10). • The Holy Spirit’s power that brought Jesus back to life is the same transformational power that regenerates people who are “dead in sin” to make them “alive with Christ” in this life, here and now (Ephesians 2:4-7). • The resurrection is at the core of the Church’s mission – the Great Commission – to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ, that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. (2 Cor. 5:19) Go proclaim the Good News of the resurrection (v. 7-10) Now that you have been told, go and tell others! News this good had to be shared! It was (and still is) the greatest news of all history: Christ (the Son of God incarnate) is risen. He will meet you personally and you will see him face to face! Two times the women were commissioned to spread the good news. And this is an interesting point from an historical perspective – a fact that adds credibility to the veracity of the account. In ancient Jewish culture, the witness of women was considered unreliable in a court of law. And yet, Jesus chose to first reveal himself to several women – instructing them to take his message to the male disciples. This detail is definitely not one that ancient Christians would have invented, since it was so out of context from the prevailing culture. First, the angel instructed them to hurry to Galilee and tell the disciples that Jesus had risen from the dead and that he, in fact, was already on his way into Galilee. The women could look forward to seeing him there (Matthew 28:16-20; John 21:1-23). As they made their way toward Galilee, once again they were commissioned, but this time by Jesus himself in his first post-resurrection appearance. Suddenly, becoming eyewitnesses was elevated to a whole new level. They saw him, recognized his voice and •
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fell at his feet in awe, fear and in worship. Jesus repeated the angel’s message alleviating their fears and encouraging them to tell the disciples (“my brothers”) to meet him in Galilee. The Personal Appearances The resurrection of Jesus is one of the best-attested events of history. Who saw the risen Lord? • Three women at tomb (Luke 23:55-24:9) • Peter, John see empty tomb (John 20:3-10) • The women see Jesus (Matthew 28:9-10) • Peter sees Jesus same day (Luke 24:34) • Two on Emmaus road (Luke 24:13-31) • The Apostles, Thomas absent (Luke 24:36-45) • The Apostles, Thomas present (John 20:24-29) • Seven at Lake Tiberius (John 21:1-23) • Five hundred in Galilee (1 Cor. 15:6) • James in Jerusalem (1 Cor. 15:3-8) • Many at Ascension (Acts 1:3-12) • Paul near Damascus (Acts 9:3-6) • Stephen at his stoning (Acts 7:55) • Paul in the temple (Acts 22:17-19) • John on Patmos (Rev. 1:10-19) To quell the stir around the resurrection, the enemies of Jesus started the rumor that Christ’s body had been stolen. But the overwhelming number of eyewitnesses exposed the inane cover-up and the news of the risen Lord swept the nation, the Roman Empire and the world. Each Gospel account of Jesus’ life and ministry culminates in a description of this great act of God and views it as the most significant point of the Gospel message (Acts 2-5; Acts 7; Acts 10). Dying, Jesus won forgiveness and eternal life for his church. Rising, he presents believers with all the benefits of a regenerate, transformed life (Romans 4:25; Romans 5:9-10; Romans 8:1-2; 1 Cor. 1:30). Today, 2,000 years later, the resurrection is still a valid historical fact as is the transformational power of Christ’s presence in the lives of millions in every age. Jesus Christ, as the risen Lord, is the cornerstone of the Christian faith and the hope of all who believe. Note: See addendum to this curriculum for more evidence of the resurrection.
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