Who Saw Him First? - Luke 24:1-12

Do 24, beginning in verse 1. On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this suddenly too many clothes that gleam like, lightning Stood Beside them and their fright, the women bow down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to him, why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not. Here he is risen. Remember how we told you while he was still with you and Galilee the son of man must be delivered over to the hands of Sinners, be crucified. And on the third day, be raised again. Then they remembered his words when they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the 11 and to all the others was Mary Magdalene Johanna, Mary, the mother of James and the others with him who told us to the apostles. But they did not believe the women because their words seemed it in like, nonsense. Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb bending over. He saw the strips of linen line by the And he went away wondering himself would have happened. The word of God for the people of God. Thanks, be unto God. You may be seated.

So kiddos, you can tune into this question right here. How many of y'all like birthday cake. Like birthday cake you in general, right? How many do? This is a genuine question. How many? If you genuinely, like birthday cake. I'm not talking about the events. I'm not talking about the day off. I'm talking about the actual typically drive out cake that we consume. Some of you. Do I say that? Because I personally the cake, but self not a huge fan. I would much prefer ice cream cake or a good cinnamon roll. But regardless before you eat birthday cake, what is it customary to do? Blow out the candles. That's exactly what I was looking for. Before you eat the cake, it's customary to blow out the candles. Now, is there some kind of rule book by what you learn that that you have to follow? Is it possible in theory to the candles are lit for you to just grab a piece from the side with your bare hands? It just start eating it. Is that possible? Yes, it is possible and expected. Left your key. It's expected. What the intended order we can all agree upon, you blow out the candles before you eat the cake. Alright, table that fought for just a moment. In all four gospel accounts, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John Every gospel author, mentioned the burial or the Tomb of Jesus. And in 1st Corinthians 15, which is a wonderful passage to soak in Baskin and read constantly 1st Corinthians 15. What did Paul do at the very beginning? He stated this, I want to remind you Church of the Gospel. I preached to you. For what I received I passed on to you as a first importance and then what does Paul state right? After that? The Christ died for our sins. According to the scriptures that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day, according to the scriptures, DC, awful gospel authors the Apostle Paul in recruiting the gospel message, they all thought it very important to mention the burial or Dimensions, the tomb that Jesus was buried that he was in the Tomb. Why do that, why do the gospels mentions that? What is Paul mention that will? I believe it's because of this empty tomb prepares us to meet the Risen Savior. Still slightly differently before you meet the Risen Savior. It's important to experience the empty tomb. Do you have to do that? Logically? Do you have to follow that order strictly? Can you leave people to Christ by just looking at the resurrected Christ in and looking at the glory of him coming back from the death of course. But there's no rule that says you have to read it exactly like this. But none the less the order by which God revealed himself by which he revealed his son, the gospel work. But what about what you did, that was crucifixion. Burial. Raised from the dead. So it's kind of significant for you. I then to pay attention to what happened at the tomb. And when I talked about seeing the to countering the tomb, experiencing the tomb. I mean, what happened there, who was there? What was said at the tomb? What was the feelings? What did they experience there? Because you, and I try to immerse ourselves in the shoes of the women. Well, then, it helps us to experience the Risen Savior, and verse 13 and following, which will do next week. You might be wondering, how is that the case? How do we, how does the empty tomb help us? Well as we can look at the experience of the women in verses 1 to 12 we're going to be looking at number 1. The revelation of the empty tomb number to the remembrance of Jesus's words. Then finally the report what the women saw Firstly, the revelation of the empty tomb versus from versus 125. So, the Earth is still sleeping. Sunday morning, everything is very quiet. Is still due on the ground. The Earth is not yet woken up.

But there's a handful of women. Love the Lord who serve the Lord and early in the morning. Early in the morning weather still in bed. They shoot up out of bed, just a Wise, Eyes Wide Open. Because why? Because they have a goal. They have a mission, they want to honor their Lord and Master, Discourse Jesus is dead but they want to honor his dead body. They want to care for his body into it by bringing perfume and spices and oils to anoint him. Which according to John, 19 verse 40. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. How many of you have ever had that happen to you. That there's something looming on your schedule and then you just shoot up out of bed because it's just so pressing. And I know we experienced at least me personally when we went to Louisiana cuz our flight was at 6 in the morning and we had to have course round up all the kids and stuff. So as soon as the alarm went off I just immediately Eyes Wide Open cuz I had a mission. I had a task, I had something I needed and wanted to do it. Certainly had to have been the case for these women. Of course they were grieving yet at the same time. They were there very, very early in the morning when it was still gone. So the women go there to honor their lord when they love. Fascinating that when you fill in the details with Matthew, Mark, and John of the Resurrection account in Mark, 16 to we find a few interesting details because when you try to Blind the accounts, it just gives a fuller picture Mark 16 to I, give us a little detail, its kind of significant the women as they were on their way to the two, they were asking one another who's going to roll the way the stone for us. Have you ever seen that in? The text was going to roll the way they're stone for us? Implying right. We're not going to do and we can't do it. That thing is massive there's no way we're going to be able to do that. Who is going to roll the stone away from the tomb. And I think this woman didn't know precisely how they were going to honor the Lord. I don't know precisely how things were going to play out but they did know that they wanted to honor him, they didn't know that they wanted to worship Him and because their heart, if you will was in the right place, the Lord saw to it in a sense that the door was open for them, but in the most magnificent way possible. So any in your own life, or this is just a tiny little reminder that though, you might be facing some unknowns, you might be thinking to yourself. I'm not quite sure how this is going to work out next month or this week or tomorrow. I don't really know how things are going to play out. How it's going to unfold, I remind you simply that. It's okay. That your goal. Your responsibility is to honor the Lord for your heart to be in the right place. Because if that's the case. What is a God's word? Say he will prepare an order, your steps and God will open the door for you in the best way possible. Back to the text, though. To imagine the scene the women are walking to the tomb. All right, I was just trying to imagine what? What happened? So let's say there are 50 feet away and Joanna are getting remember it's very pretty dark. Still Squints her eyes and she looks and she sees the stone was rolled away. imagine, if you eating Deceased loved one at the graveside, right? If you were walking there, if you were 30 feet away and you saw where they laid, just a big hole in the ground. What would you think immediately?

You would not, I guarantee you would not be thinking o the Lord's back because hopefully you're still here. Are some conflicts, are you not be thinking? If I can go see them, know if I saw that with one of my loved ones who passed out immediately, just like, The shop. Confusion what on Earth. What I imagined again, if I saw it I'll be shuffling a little faster. Like what happened over there. I need to go look more closely and the women were doing the same thing. They look, they see. The stone is rolled away and perhaps they start shuffling their feet to get there faster.

But then what happened? Well, look at the text. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. But when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. You have to understand these women did not go. They're looking for Risen Savior. They went there with oils. With perfumes with spices to anoint, a dead body. Hey, this is so important, keep in mind, I did not go eagerly hopeful and expectant. The Jesus is back from the dead. They came knowing and thinking believing The fact that he had died, which he indeed had, but that they would see his dead body. And they're not jumping to conclusions, yet. You have to keep that in mind too. They're just trying to frantically look around for evidence. Look around for anything in that kind of shocking and stupor that confusion. They look around, they look for Jesus body where they laid him, but they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. But significant verse 3. You look at their they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. This is the only time in the gospel accounts in which the phrase Lord is found. That phrase is common in the book of Acts. It's commonly in the Epistles, but in the gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. This is the only time lord Jesus appears and it's as if Luke is indicating to us, that the crucified Jesus is now the exalted Lord Jesus. So the women undoubtedly were in shock but things get more intense. While they was wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes glean, like lightning Stood Beside them. You know, that feeling of being startled by somebody. You walk around the corner, you don't know the right on the other side or you might just be standing in. Somebody kind of puts their hand on your back, and you jumping, you're scared slightly. Just imagine. Are the women were already playing, right? This is just this is what they say, they're already in hysteria, they're already experiencing shock. They're already confused their grief. The full of grief and full of confusion, all this. Now, imagine how would they have reacted with two? Men appearing out of nowhere standing. Right beside them. How would you have reacted in that situation? Imagine some of them. I mean, maybe one of them fainted or something, I don't know. Maybe they screamed. But the text tells us what they did. In the Fright, the women bow down with their faces to the ground. They were just terrified. They were scared in their fight, the women, bad, their faces to the ground. This is all. So frankly, a sign of submission, I would, this is something much more powerful, a grand. And something I can't explain is before me. I'm down down. I'm not about to get on their bad side. I'm downtown and submission.

A five tells us the whole past versus 125. What does it tell us? The tomb is empty. Brothers and sisters. I tell you this morning. The tomb is in fact empty. The tomb is empty. Keep us in mind. Is the empty tomb. Good news.

Think about it. Is the empty tomb be qualified in and of itself. Good news.

I say yes or no. Why is that? Well, if all you see is an empty tomb, as some of the other gospel salute to some people might think and say his body was stolen. I think about it the the Christian symbol is not your the stone rolled away from that. That's not the sign of Christianity because an empty tomb is meaningless. Without I've heard it explained also that you need both the empty tomb and the experiences with the Risen Savior for this to make sense because it always seemed to do him. Like I said, somebody could have stolen the body but if all you saw, he'll say the tomb was still sealed. And if all you saw with the resurrected body of Jesus or haven't you heard of people, we sometimes see their loved ones who have passed. To potentially, some people might argue all, you're just seeing things, you're just seeing visions. He's still in the two of you just saying random stuff you need, both the actual body and the empty tomb for the resurrection to make sense. Empty tomb is meaningless without a Risen Savior and this is where the words of the Angels coming to play. When number to the remembrance of Jesus's words this is quite significant. Why do you look for the living among the Dead? He's not here. He is risen. Remember how he told you while he was still with you and Galilee? The son of man must be delivered over the hands of Sinners. Be crucified on the third day, be raised again. Then they remembered his words.

I think that first question I asked, why do you look for the living among the Dead? You really think that one apart? Keep in mind that women did not come looking for a living person. Maybe it's just me. But when I read that, I sent a slight note of teasing, perhaps, from the Angels. Why do you look for the living among the dead? They didn't come doing that. They're kind of, like, teasing him. He's not dead, he's living. And if you don't believe me, I think that is the heart of Christ, because this is the most glorious thing that ever happened in human history. And when Jesus himself reveals who he is to the two, he definitely teases them. If you don't believe me, we'll look at that next week. So why you look for the living among the dead? He is not. Here he is risen. and then the Angels speak common Command biblical command. That is true in the Old Testament and in the new, what is it? was that come in and I say, I want to tell me.

Remember, yes, the Angels say remember, that's the command. I see imperative. Remember how he told you. She had a funeral. It is proper to remember, person's life. Property reflect on those Cherished Memories. But at this graveside service, if you can call it that the women are called to remember what Jesus said, back in Galilee, the son of man must be delivered over the hands of Sinners, They Crucified. And on the third day, be raised again. Jesus predicted prophesied, his death, at least three times and the Gospel of Luke beginning in chapter 9. So quite a ways back and the angels are saying, remember what he said to you, I looked in check, I preached that sermon on the first time that Jesus gave his prophecy a preset sermon, two years ago. So I don't know if it was two years prior, it might have been, but never lies, he was quite a bit ago, remember what he told you. Then we're safe. I think it's beautiful. A beautiful short, little verse. It's easy for us to run over these kinds of things, but then they remembered his words. Then they remembered his words. Brothers and sisters. I remind you that this is the essence of the Christian Life. This is the ever continuing need for every single Christian. Because when you're worried about the serious health concerns, you may be facing remember his words that he will never leave you or forsake you when you experience the birth of a new healthy baby, Remember his words to give thanks. When you're tempted to click on the website that you should not visit, remember his words to flee, Temptation. When you need hope, remember his words when you need wisdom, remember, his word when you need wisdom and guidance and comfort. Remember his words? This is our calling, to remember, And for the women that specifically their call to remember what he said back in Galilee. Why do I mention that? Why do I focus on that? Here's why. This is why significant listen to this closely empty tomb? Only makes sense with Divine words from above Empty tomb, only makes sense with the vine instruction with Divine guidance from above. That is the same for you. And I today, it's the same for, not just the tumor. It is about the tune primarily as we look at the text, but about everything to understand anything in life. You need Divine instruction from above One Minister, I follow Answers in Genesis, they're big on creation and that kind of thing. One thing I talk about is the age of the Earth in this kind of thing is that young as that old billions of years old shorter than that. They used example of the Grand Canyon. A lot of the time they say who has more evidence creationist or evolutionist, when you look at the Grand Canyon, I'm just ask you who has more

creationist not quite everybody has the same evidence, they're all looking at the same slab of rock the exact same. It's the same amount of evidence. The question is who has the right interpretation who has the right explanation, right Viewpoint, the same regarding everything. And especially the two, you look at the two met, anybody can look at the empty tomb and think somebody stole the body, the same evidence, but to understand what truly happened. You need to find words from above that is with the angels provide here he is not, here he is risen, he is alive. I think about it also like this, the women then believed they didn't see the tomb first and then believe they believed after they heard these words and I love to have one commentator pointed out. How do you never see faith? Romans 10:17, faith comes from hearing the message hearing the word. In the message is heard through the word about Christ. That's how you and I receive cultivate enhance our faith by hearing the proclaimed truth. It's no different for these. Women are here. It's are proclaimed. You Church. The Jesus is, if he is not, here he is risen. Leslie number 3, the report of what the women saw verses 9 to 12. and I came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the 11 and all the others who was Mary Magdalene Joanna, Mary, the mother of James and the others with him who told this to the apostles

when you remember Jesus's words, God willing. It leads to belief when you believe you speak. We read about that this morning and 2nd Corinthians chapter 4. Michigan, find a really quick. 2nd Corinthians 4. 3413 it is written. I believed therefore, I have spoken. In other words, you see the evidence right before you with the spirit convicting, you you believe that evidence, you believe that claim and then you speak it, you share it. You cannot see glory and remain silent. You have to share, you have to speak it with others, so they do, they hightail it back to the 11 to keep in mind you. This is no longer part of the 12, you've committed suicide by this point, to hightail it back to the 11, they report to them, what they saw the text. I came back from the gym, they told all these things eleven and all the others, what they saw that, they heard who they met the tell, all of these things to 11 and all the others. And then finally, Luke tells us who these women were Mary, Magdalene Johanna, Mary, the mother of James and as the gospel of Mark, includes inventions Salome or salame. How do you pronounce your name? You may do it and also here, It says Mary Magdalene Joanna, Mary, the mother of James, and the others with them. So, there were at least five women there, at least five perhaps more. And how did the apostles respond? How would you respond? They did not believe the women text says because their words seemed to them like nonsense. There's at least two reasons for this to explain verse 11. Number one, firstly, faithful Jews in the first century. They did hope for Resurrection. But they understood, they believed it to be something that would occur at the end of time where all the righteous would be raised from the dead. They had no category, no conception no way of thinking frame of reference to think of one man resurrecting in the middle of time. So when they hear this news of Jesus rising from the dead, they think it's absurd because they probably thought. Oh really? So death and disease are all gone. Now the lion has lie down with the lamb that there's true justice has been established across the world. Give me a break. That's not true. That's part of it. And no, I no conception of one resurrecting from the middle of History. But secondly, in the first century world. May not be news to you but women did not have a high social status at all. So, in a courtroom their testimony was not admissible evidence. And it's one scholar, put it women were thought by educated men to be gullible and religious matters, especially prone to superstitious fantasy and excessive religious practices. So this is the underlying current and then you kind of combined those two things with a third, physical reality of their report cuz they're not just like a cone sermon the most likely frantic and just flip their heads around everywhere. And all of those things, they didn't believe the words of these women cast of them was like nonsense. Then, of course. Peter went up. He went and ran to the tomb and got a whole nother Resurrection account happens there. I want to just camp on the detail of the women, for just a moment because it's significant for two reasons for you. And I 1. This is a reminder that God's kingdom turns the values of the world upside down. God, kingdom turns the values of the world upside down. Jesus exalts, the lowly. He ministers to the Brokenhearted to the least of these two least deserving, which in that Society was certainly included women. And that's why Jesus had a lot of ministry to women healing them. I forgiving them exalting them, raising them up, elevating them. God cares for these ladies and he see if use them as Witnesses of his resurrection. The first witness is the first eyewitnesses of his resurrection so this speaks about God's high value of women in a society that did not The second light, this insignificant detail for you and I to keep in mind, apologetic, wise, meaning defending the faith, how to explain the truth of the Resurrection. Somebody by what's known, as the principal of embarrassment, the principle of embarrassment. So think about it like this. If Matthew, Mark, Luke and John if Paul and others wanting to propagate a false message, it's a fabricated this if you just did not truly rise from the dead, but they wanted people to buy into their belief system. Their new philosophy is secular people think how Christianity started. Well, they certainly most certainly would not have chosen women to be the first eyewitness. Has the most likely would have chosen maybe Nicodemus, or even Joseph of Arimathea who we just read about where Jesus from Jesus's tomb, where he was buried in Joseph's tomb. Are because these two men were highly respected in the Jewish community so that they could have been saying, you've Nicodemus saw Jesus. He's respected, you to believe this guy. So why? Then do they mention the women all four and is John record, smearing was the first person to meet the Risen Savior, never Court. This Because it actually happened. Because that was the history of what happened. The only sound reason anybody can think of why this was recorded because it truly happened in history. And they wanted to be faithful because this is actually what happened in history. a significant for you and I Because this speaks to write the principle of embarrassment. Another way, another component of that when the disciples constantly Bumble and fail and messed up and stumble, it shows that they're human show that these things actually happened. These are not perfect men. They were there not Flawless know that the gospels record their faults because this is true history. This is the God. We serve a God who flips the values of the world upside down. To church. I'm wrapping up right now. The empty tomb prepares us to meet the Risen Savior. What about you least me preaching through this preparing, the sermon, I'm eager to now see what happens next. I know what happens next, but just to walk through it with you empty tomb. Prepares us to meet the Risen Savior.

92mm. Keep in mind again it means nothing if the savior is not living. But it's a beautiful song goes, but Because He Lives I Can Face Tomorrow. Because He Lives all fear is gone because I know he holds the future and my life is worth living now because he lives Amen to that. Hey man. Let's pray.

Jesus, thank you for this good news in which we Able to bask in a little bit.

It's hard for us to fully immerse ourselves in the context. The first century try to relive the experience with the women and the even the apostles experience, the first Easter Sunday, What a wild ride, it must have been.

father, will you please help us to See the history here to be confident that this truly happened in time and space. Please help us to see the significance of your Resurrection. What that means for our lives, how the darkness may seem to have the upper hand now. But because of your Resurrection, we know the light and glory and life and Beauty has the last say because you have the last day Please help us to hold on, in the midst of Darkness. Help us to cling to Hope in the midst of confusion.

Please Jesus help us to have open eyes that we might see you.

Not only to see you, but the favor you to follow you and then to speak of you to others. Beginning with one another beginning, with our own families, beginning with our friends, beginning with our neighbors. And then spreading it to the ends of this Earth.

Thank you for this beautiful gospel truth that you have entrusted to us broken Jars of Clay. We thank you that you created us. You've molded us And that we are loved by you. Look forward to next week as We Gather in your due time, has to be faithful and persistent until that day. Comes. Prepare our hearts even now to receive the continuing through that you have for us Jesus name, we pray. Amen.

Amen.