Jesus has Risen!

Jesus has risen! He has risen indeed!

after the grim scene of Jesus’ crucifixion,

after being laid in Joseph’s tomb cut out of rock,

after the chief priests and Pharisees put their seal on the stone Joseph rolled in front of Jesus’ tomb and posted guards to prevent anyone from stealing Jesus’ body

after all the grim events of Good Friday, the scene Matthew describes 3 days later feels very different!

It’s dawn, the beginning of a new week, a new era! An angel of the Lord, came down from heaven: “His appearance was like lightning and his clothes were white as snow.”

After rolling the big stone away, the angel sits on it. Seated atop the stone, the angel greets Mary Magdalene and other Mary when they arrive:

Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Matthew 28:5b–6 (NIV)

I can’t imagine what Mary Magdalene and the other Mary experienced. The turn-around of emotions, disappointment and grief to surprise and joy: it must have left their heads spinning.

There’s irony too. Chief priests and the Pharisees remember Jesus’ promise to rise again. Jesus’ disciples seem to forget. Even after all the miracles, maybe Jesus’ death is too devastating and too final for the disciples even to hope Jesus will rise again.

The religious leaders sealed the tomb to prevent the disciples from faking Jesus’ resurrection. But they couldn’t stop Jesus’ from rising. If anything, the guards verify the woman’s account of the appearance of an angel so bright it made their eyes water. The guard’s report confirms that the tomb is empty, no matter what lies they were paid to tell afterwards.

The truth is, Jesus’ resurrection is good news. It is a vital part of the gospel. Paul is blunt about the significance of Jesus’ resurrection in the NT letter Danielle read from earlier:

And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. I Corinthians 15:14 (NIV)

God’s word goes on to say:

If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. I Corinthians 15:17 (NIV)

Sinful behaviour pushes people apart. Sin cuts people off from God. It’s a major problem. Ever since Adam & Eve rebelled against our Creator, humankind has been prone to disobey and estranged from God.

I admit I catch myself disobeying God’s instructions for holiness. You can judge your own success:

How are you doing at loving God with all your might?

How are you at loving your neighbour as yourself and putting their interests ahead of your own?

It’s a problem if it’s not going well. Sinful behaviour leads to death, to being eternally cut off from God. God is holy and can’t just ignore sin.

That’s why Jesus’ death and resurrection are such a big deal. On the cross, Jesus took the punishment that humankind deserves. He is able offer his life as atonement for human sin because he fully loved God and neighbour. He’s the first human to live without sin since Adam & Eve disobeyed.

Because he is God, Jesus could endure the hellish punishment. He endured being forsaken by his heavenly Father. Jesus was crucified and died to rescue humankind from sin and death.

Rising from the tomb 3 days later demonstrates Jesus’ victory. His resurrection is the exclamation point! Three times in the gospel of Matthew, Jesus described to his disciple, not just that he would suffer and be killed, he also told them three times that “on the third day he will be raised to life” (Mt 20:19).

People are free to walk away from Jesus if he doesn’t live up to his promises. You can dismiss Jesus as a fraud IF he doesn’t do what he says. After Jesus explains to his disciples three times that he will suffer and be killed and 3 days later he will be raised to life, you need to pay attention when Matthew records what the angel told Mary and Mary:

Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Matthew 28:5–6 (NIV)

After Mary and Mary see Jesus and touch him on their way out of the garden, you can’t ignore Jesus’ resurrection.

Since Jesus has risen after dying, the best response is to imitate Mary Magdalene and the other Mary: bow before Jesus and worship him. Honour and praise Jesus for his victory!

That’s what today’s worship service: songs, readings, sermon, and LS is all about! We’re gathered to worship our risen King!

Jesus’ resurrection is one of the best attested facts from the 1st century. The apostles mention that Jesus appeared to more than 500 people at once. The ripples of the good news of Jesus’ resurrection travelling throughout the world are still being felt today. It is why Christians celebrate with confidence, “Death has been swallowed up in victory!” (I Cor. 15: 54).

Jesus’ resurrection means life and renewal for all who believe. It means forgiveness of sins. Later in the NT, God’s word says:

There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1–2 (NIV)

Jesus’ resurrection gives us confidence to live as forgiven people, obeying everything Jesus taught about life in the kingdom of heaven. Because Jesus rose from the tomb, you can be sure that you have life with God, even if you die. Jesus’ resurrection leads to our resurrection as well. Death does not get the final word.

That’s why we will celebrate with the sacrament of baptism in our worship service next Sunday. In an age-appropriate way, Nicole Colgan-Stojkovic will profess her faith and be baptized.

Being sprinkled with the water of baptism is a sign and seal that, along with her parents and other believers, Nicole is included in Jesus’ promises and in his victory. Participating in Nicole’s baptism as a witness is a tangible reminder for you too: if you have been baptized, then by faith you’ve died with Christ and been raised to life with Jesus.

Today we also celebrate with a sacrament. Coming to the Lord’s Supper table is a celebration of Jesus’ victory. Eating and drinking the bread and the cup together, you are reminded and assured that you are included in all God’s promises.

The Lord’s Supper is a proclamation of Jesus’ death and celebration that Jesus has risen until he comes again in the glorious splendour of the renewed creation.

Today is a day of celebration!