See Where They Laid Our Savior

As we gather together on this glorious Easter morning, I invite you to envision the scene from that first resurrection day. Picture the empty tomb, the bewildered disciples, and the echoing words of the angel: "He is not here; he has risen!" (Matthew 28:6). In the midst of our celebration today, we can ponder the profound invitation given to us by the angel and echoed by Jesus Himself: "See the place where they laid Him" (Mark 16:6). These words beckon us to encounter the risen Christ, to behold the transformative power of His resurrection, and to embrace the fullness of His victory over sin and death.

I. The Foundation of our Faith:

In examining the significance of Easter, we must first anchor ourselves in the foundational truths of our faith. The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, encapsulates these truths succinctly: Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, He was buried, and He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

1 Corinthians 15:1–4 (ESV)

Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,

What is the significance of Easter?

Christ's Death:

According to the Scriptures: The prophet Isaiah foretold of the suffering Messiah who would bear our sins and bring us healing Isaiah 53:5-6

Isaiah 53:5–6 (ESV)

But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Why did Jesus have to die?

We know that according to scriptures that Jesus needed to die in order for us to receive the forgiveness of sins.

Christ's Burial:

Fulfilling the Prophecies: The psalmist David prophesied that God would not abandon His Holy One to the grave but would raise Him to life Psalm 16:10

Psalm 16:10 (ESV)

For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.

What is the significance of Jesus being buried in the tomb for three days?

Christ's Resurrection:

The Power of God: Through Christ's resurrection, we see the unparalleled display of God's power, conquering death and offering eternal life to all who believe. Romans 6:4

Romans 6:4 (ESV)

We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Why do you think Jesus rising from the dead is the most important part of the Christian faith? (1 Corinthians 15:14)

II. The Witnesses of His Resurrection:

The reality of Christ's resurrection is affirmed by the testimony of numerous witnesses who encountered the risen Lord.

Mary Magdalene:

In the early hours of that first Easter morning, Mary Magdalene encountered Jesus at the tomb, experiencing the transformative power of His resurrection firsthand John 20:11-18

John 20:11–18 (ESV)

But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.

Peter:

Despite his earlier denial of Jesus, Peter was not only restored by the risen Christ but also commissioned to strengthen his fellow believers. John 21:15-17

John 21:15–17 (ESV)

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.

The Disciples:

From their initial doubts and fears to their eventual joy and conviction, the disciples experienced a profound transformation upon encountering the risen Christ Luke 24:36-43

Luke 24:36–43 (ESV)

As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them.

What is the significance of the eye witness accounts?

III. The Transformational Power of the Resurrection:

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not merely a historical event but a reality that continues to transform lives today.

Paul's Testimony:

The apostle Paul, formerly known as Saul, encountered the risen Christ on the road to Damascus, resulting in a radical transformation from persecutor to preacher Acts 9:1-22

Acts 9:1–22 (ESV)

But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; and taking food, he was strengthened.

For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?” But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.

How has the gospel changed your life?

Grace Made Manifest:

The resurrection demonstrates God's abundant grace, offering salvation to all who believe, irrespective of their past or present shortcomings Ephesians 2:8-9

Ephesians 2:8–9 (ESV)

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Does the gospel make this life easier or harder?

The Call to Proclaim:

Just as the early disciples were commissioned to proclaim the good news of Christ's resurrection, we too are called to share this message of hope with the world Mark 16:15

Mark 16:15 (ESV)

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.

How can the gospel change the people you know? How about the rest of the world?

IV. Seeing the Empty Tomb in Modern Life:

Even today, the invitation to "see the place where they laid Him" holds profound significance for each of us. There are three main ways faith is troubled, they are the tombs of which we are warned in scripture about where if we are not paying attention, not listening to the truth we can find ourselves slipping away.

The Tomb of Doubt:

Like Thomas, many among us grapple with doubts and uncertainties. Yet, encountering the risen Christ dispels our doubts and strengthens our faith John 20:24-29

John 20:24–29 (ESV)

Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

What causes you to doubt?

The Tomb of Fear:

In a world filled with uncertainties and anxieties, the resurrection of Jesus Christ empowers us to face our fears with courage and confidence. 2 Timothy 1:7

2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)

for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

1 John 4:18 (ESV)

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

In fact there are some who have counted how many times it says not to fear in the Bible and it comes to about 365 times. Which means we could go on and on about how fear gets in the way of faith, but when we have faith, especially faith in knowing that Christ has risen from the dead and we too will rise from the dead, then there is nothing to fear, not even death, for it too has been defeated.

What is your biggest fear?

How can the gospel help you overcome this fear?

The Tomb of Sin:

The resurrection of Jesus Christ not only offers forgiveness of sins but also liberation from the bondage of sin and death. Romans 6:6-7

Romans 6:6–7 (ESV)

We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin.

The whole of the gospel message revolves around this that we are forgiven, Jesus has died, was buried and yet has risen, therefore our sins our forgiven, we have been set free and no longer does sin reign in our mortal bodies, but it is now Christ who lives in us. That even when we sin, not that we want to keep on sinning, but we have an advocate who intercedes for us, that when we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

1 John 1:9 (ESV)

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

What sins have you not confessed?

V. Conclusion:

As we reflect on the profound significance of Easter, may we heed the invitation to "see the place where they laid Him." Let us encounter the risen Christ with hearts full of awe and gratitude, embracing the transformative power of His resurrection in our lives. And as recipients of this glorious message of hope, let us boldly proclaim to the world: Christ is risen indeed!