04.09.23

Scripture Reading - Matthew 28:1-10

Message “”

History is filled with defining and great moments. Open any internet browser and type in greatest moments in history and you will find any number of webpages that pop up. Greatest moments in English history. Greatest moments in world history. Greatest moments in sports history. Greatest moments in European history. Greatest moments in military history. The top 10. The top 20. The top 100.

But this morning, I come to you to tell you about the two greatest moments in history. The first one is described here in our text in Matthew. On Friday, Jesus Christ was crucified, dead, and buried. There were no doubts about this among those who considered themselves to be His followers. And there were no doubts about this among those who considered themselves His enemies.

While those who were His followers spent the Sabbath mourning and weeping, His enemies spent the day in celebration. Another problem has been dealt with. Another false prophet has been put to death. Again, there was no doubt in the minds of any who had been there that Jesus was most definitely dead.

Now, while Jesus had been technically put into the tomb, His body had not yet been completely prepared for burial. And Matthew records that these two ladies, both named Mary, took the appropriate spices to complete the task that was begun on Friday. And they did that because they knew what they had witnessed as Jesus hung on the cross. They heard His final words, “It is finished”. They watched as Roman soldiers took His lifeless body off the cross. And as a few took His body to the tomb.

They watched as the stone was rolled over the entryway, not as an attempt to keep Him in but more to keep His crazy followers out. And they posted guards in front of the stone, blocking the tomb as “assurance” that no one would be able to break in to steal the body. There was never any doubt in their minds that Jesus was dead.

Which is what makes what Matthew says, the greatest moment ever in history. Because as the women go to the tomb, when they get there, they don’t see three things. They don’t see the guards. Because they’ve run off. They don’t see the stone blocking the way, because the stone has rolled away. And they don’t see the body they came to embalm.

The single greatest event in history is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Because it is this event that changes everything. It is the resurrection of Jesus Christ that gives us hope. Ever since Adam and Eve took of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, and were cast out of the garden, humanity has faced the reality of death. For every single one of us, death will occur. But because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, death becomes like getting a new car.

In other words, you have been driving around for years in a Yugo. The paint is rusty, the brakes are questionable, the floorboard has holes, the tires are thin, the engine starting is a 50/50 proposal. I mean this thing is on it’s last legs. And then you trade it in for a Rolls Royce. Paid in full Rolls Royce. It’s shiny, it’s equipped with all the bells and whistles and everything works, it’s solid, and it’s fast.

But that’s the future. And Christ’s resurrection changes that. But His resurrection also changes the present. Because Christ rose from the dead, you and I can put our trust in Him and rely on Him for the events that occur day to day. Like climbing a mountain. When I was younger, I lived in Colorado Springs which meant that when I went into the backyard, I could look up and see the mountains and in particular Pikes Peak. Now, I’ve never climbed up the side of a mountain but I do know that it’s almost impossible to climb a mountain by yourself. In order to safely scale the side of a mountain, it’s best if you have a partner who can help spot you. Someone who can help hold you as you climb.

Life is too hard to try to do on our own. There are all kinds of difficulties and obstacles. Too many traps and tricky places Too many thorns and brambles. And when all of our friends have let us down or gotten too busy, or all of the things we have looked to have left us empty and broken, the one thing we have to hold on to is the person of Jesus Christ and His love for us.

Which brings me to the second-greatest moment in history. Remember a little bit ago I told you there were two great moments in history? The first is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The second is when you accept Him as your personal Savior. When you quit pushing Him away. When you quit rejecting His invitations to walk with Him. When you stop making excuses as to why now isn’t a good time. If you will simply open your heart and let Him come in, you will be making a decision that will be known as the second greatest moment in history. If you haven’t yet, will you make that decision now? If you always have a reason, or an excuse, let me challenge you this morning to accept Christ as your Savior and see how He changes everything. Let Him become your Living Hope.