The Tomb is Empty (Mat. 28:1-10)

Intro

Easter eggs have always been a peculiar part of the holiday celebration

And they come in all sorts! Real eggs you decorate, plastic eggs you fill with goodies and hunt for, tinfoil wrapped chocolate eggs, mini eggs, cream-filled eggs… mmmmmm

There is a good reason we use Easter eggs; a reason that becomes more clear when we read the Easter story

The Tomb is Empty

On Sunday morning, the Marys went to visit the tomb of Jesus

Friday = crucifixion; Saturday = Sabbath (rest); Sunday morning = bright and early (Easter sunrise services)

Mary Magdalene = an early follower of Jesus who had demons cast out of her

“other Mary” = called “Mary the mother of James and Joseph” in Matt. 27:56.

Possibly the mother of Christ (unlikely with the way she is mentioned)

Most likely the mother of the Apostle James the Lesser (Mary was a very common name)

When they arrive, the stone is rolled away

For the women, a stone that size would have been a problem (really big; designed to not be moved)

Mark records them worrying about this Mark 16:3 “And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?””

Matthew gives us another obstacle to rolling the stone away: It was sealed and guarded by the authorities at the request of the Pharisees

Read Matthew 27:62-66.

Sealed = like a wax seal (prove if broken)

Guarded = NOT Roman guards, but Jewish Temple guards (Pilate told them to use their own guards)

Moving the stone was impossible… for men...

… But not for God. He rolled the stone away through an earthquake and an angel descending from heaven

Earthquake is a similar experience to what happened at the moment of Jesus’ death

Angel is a fearsome sight to behold; like lightning, clothed in white like snow (imagery used in Daniel and Revelation)

The guards shake, tremble, and faint from fear

The women are also afraid, but the angel addresses them directly: (Read Matthew 28:5-7)

“Do not be afraid” = Usual greeting from a majestic supernatural being to terrified human beings

Angel didn’t seem to mind the fear of the guards, though...

“He is not here, for he has risen, as he said”

Jesus is alive! He was dead and now He lives!

This was all according to God’s plan that Jesus foretold numerous times (recorded in Matthew 16:21; 17:23; 20:19)

Specific reference by the angel is Matthew 26:32 “But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.””

“Come, see the place where he lay” = The Marys served as proof of the resurrection of Jesus

They saw him die (listed in Matthew 27:55)

They saw him buried (listed in Matthew 27:61)

They saw the empty tomb (here in Matthew 28:6)

The stone was never rolled away for the benefit of Jesus, but of the witnesses

He didn’t need the stone moved to rise again… when the stone was rolled away the TOMB WAS ALREADY EMPTY

The witness of the women (and shortly thereafter the disciples) was a problem for the Pharisees

Matthew gives great evidence that the empty tomb is PROOF of the resurrection of Jesus Christ

Through establishing the witness of the Marys

Acknowledging the concern of the Pharisees (guard)

Exposing the attempted cover-up by the Pharisees afterward

Read Matthew 28:11-15.

What do you believe about the empty tomb? What evidence do you find compelling?

This is one of the most important decisions you will ever make, because the empty tomb changes EVERYTHING

Fear and Great Joy

The women saw Jesus die, saw Him buried, and saw the empty grave… they also then saw the resurrected Jesus ALIVE

Read Matthew 28:8-10.

After witnessing the rolling away of the stone, seeing an angel and looking upon the empty tomb, the women are filled with FEAR and GREAT JOY

Fear would be a natural emotion (and complex)

Afraid for seeing an angel; afraid of what the authorities might do next, afraid for their own lives as Christ followers...

But the empty tomb also brought out great joy (also complex)

Joyful that the one they loved was dead, but is now alive; joyful that their Messiah was not defeated after all; joyful of what the resurrection of Jesus might mean for their own eternal destiny

With all these many emotions rattling around in their hearts, Jesus appears to them

“Greetings” = common Koine Greek greeting… “hello!”

When they fall down and worship Jesus, it shows that the resurrection has confirmed that He is Lord

“Do not be afraid” = leads to instructions as to what to do next (tell the disciples to meet Jesus in Galilee)

Was Jesus telling them not to be afraid the same way that the angel did? That looking up on the resurrected Christ was that awe-inspiring? Or was there something more?

Armed with the knowledge that the women were full of fear and great joy, the words of Jesus speak deeper than first glance

“Do not be afraid” = Everything will be okay! God’s plan of salvation has been carried out. This is just the beginning of something that will change the world

“Greetings” = Greek word that literally means “Rejoice!” (Same as in Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”)

Full of fear and joy; Jesus frees from one and encourages the other

Resurrection day was THE day to rejoice!

Rejoicing in the Empty Tomb and New Life in Christ

What do easter eggs have to do with Jesus? They symbolize the source of our rejoicing

Easter eggs symbolize the empty tomb

In early Orthodox churches, easter eggs were handed out during the Paschal vigil (service on Saturday)

The empty tomb is VITAL to our hope as Christians

Vital to trust the historic account

Matthew took GREAT PAINS to persuade everyone of the fact that Jesus truly rose from the dead:

The Marys were first hand witnesses to Jesus death, burial and resurrection

The tomb was heavily guard it to make it impossible for Jesus’ body to be stolen

Jesus Himself appears to His followers

The guards were bribed to tell an alternate story

The evidence and witness of the empty tomb remains an important reminder today

Cf. 1 Corinthians 15:3-8.

Peter, Paul and the other apostles have seen, and given their testimony so we might believe

Easter eggs symoblize new life in Christ

The hard shell represents the tomb and the cracking of the egg symoblizes the resurrection

We know this about eggs; new life awaits within *show picture*

The hope we have of new life in Christ hinges on the resurrection

If Jesus did NOT rise again, our hope is in vain (Cf. 1 Cor. 15:14-19)

This HAD to happen; it is our key to life

Since Jesus DID rise from the dead, it changes everything for us

Cf. 1 Cor. 15:20-22.

Firstfruits = first of many

Just as Jesus was raised from the dead, we too share this hope

Talk about Paul Emmer and his terminal diagnosis

Because Jesus alive, we can face all things - even death - knowing that our hope extends beyond the grave

There is NOTHING and NO ONE else that can give you this life, and give you this hope

Conclusion

Do you believe that Jesus Christ rose from the dead? Do you believe that He is the only way to eternal life? Are you really, truly, alive?

There is no better day than Easter Sunday to believe and come to life