Outline The Fact That Jesus Has Risen is Astonishing based on Mark 16:1-8

I. Mark 16:8 then and now. The last verse of our Gospel lesson from Mark 16 seems strange: “And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.”

II. We have an advantage over the women.

III. Reaction to angel and his reassuring words to them. When they saw that the stone was rolled away, they were glad that they did not need to find someone to roll the stone away. Then they saw the angel and they reacted like most people who saw angels in the Bible and they were afraid. Mark 16:6-7 tells us, “And (the angel) said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.”

IV. Our reaction probably the same.

V. Odds for jackpot, pro baseball, struck by lightning? If someone buys a lottery ticket, what are the odds that you will win a multi-state power-ball jackpot? Over 100 million to one. If you play baseball in high school, what are the odds of playing in the major leagues? Over 6000 to one. What are the odds that you will be struck by lightning? Around 3 million to one. By the way, a man named Roy Sullivan holds the world record for being struck by lightning. Roy has been struck seven times.

VI. Most important “what are the odds” question.

VII. Odds for Israel to leave Egypt and Exodus 15:4–5 “Pharaoh’s chariots and his host he cast into the sea, and his chosen officers were sunk in the Red Sea. The floods covered them; they went down into the depths like a stone.”

VIII. Opposition began early in Jesus’s ministry.

IX. Arrested, beaten, and buried.

X. Angel announced in Mark 16:6-7. Just when everyone thought everything was all over, the angel announced, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” (Mark 16:6-7) Mary shouts, “Teacher!” Then Thomas declares, “My Lord and my God!” Against all the odds, Jesus lives! Hallelujah!

XI. Sometimes the odds seem against us in life.

XII. Lee Capps against all odds.

XIII. Conclusion. Sometimes we might fear that we will crash and burn in life. The good news is God shows us mercy and love and forgiveness. Against all odds, the same God who enabled the people of Israel to walk out of Egyptian slavery shows us mercy and love and forgiveness. Against all odds, the same Jesus who suffered, died, and arose on Easter morning shows us mercy and love and forgiveness. Those facts are astonishing, but true. In John 14:19 Jesus said, “Because I live, you also will live.” To that we say, “Christ is risen! He has risen, indeed! Alleluia!” Amen.