Sunrise Service; Mark 16: 1-8

Introduction

The disciples were afraid, even this early morning, locked away in Jerusalem hiding fearing they might be next

who could blame them

Interesting if you think about it

they were heading to Jerusalem and I believe Thomas was the one who said, “Let’s go die with him.”

yet after the week that he had in the temple

defeating the Pharisees and religious leaders at every test they threw at him

clearing out the money changers

the crowds that were coming to hear him teach

they thought his kingdom was coming!

they were correct, but still they misunderstood

He is betrayed, arrested, crucified dies and his buried

the ladies seeing where they laid him, come back with spices after the sabbath

Mark 16:1–8 (CSB)

1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they could go and anoint him.

2 Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they went to the tomb at sunrise.

3 They were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone from the entrance to the tomb for us?”

4 Looking up, they noticed that the stone—which was very large—had been rolled away.

5 When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side; they were alarmed.

6 “Don’t be alarmed,” he told them. “You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they put him.

7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see him there just as he told you.’ ”

8 They went out and ran from the tomb, because trembling and astonishment overwhelmed them. And they said nothing to anyone, since they were afraid.

The resurrection was personal

Go tell the disciples and Peter…

some see Peter as the leader of the group and just how Jesus would speak of them

do not lose the understanding the Peter just denied Jesus three times just three days ago.

Peter needs to know that he is not excluded now from the group

His sin was not so big that the cross could not overcome it

we have denied our Lord… every time that we go our own way

every time that we walk in disobedience

as we gather this morning, remember that the cross was enough for your sin as well

today… because he is alive, we live a new life in the resurrection of Christ!

The resurrection was astonishing

they ran from the tomb… trembling and astonished!

at different times we have read about people in the bible being raised from the dead.

we have heard the Easter story so many times that we can become callused to it

Jesus is ALIVE!

they ran in fear

there was a lot for them to be fearful of

fear of the Jews, they had just witnessed Jesus being crucified just days before

they had not received the Holy Spirit yet… what were they to do

but you dear friend have the scriptures and the Holy Spirit

you know that he has risen, that he has ascended and that he has sent the Holy Spirit to us

may you not live in fear, but may you never lose the astonishment of the empty tomb

may the thought of you cause you to tremble in excitement and cause you to run out and tell the world

HE IS ALIVE! HE IS RISEN!