The Paused Lamb

Matthew 27:57–66 NKJV

57 Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. 58 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him. 59 When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed. 61 And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb. 62 On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate, 63 saying, “Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise.’ 64 Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead.’ So the last deception will be worse than the first.” 65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.

I. The Reality of Death.

Matthew 27:57–61 NKJV

57 Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. 58 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him. 59 When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed. 61 And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.

II. The Silence of God.

Have you ever had a long night? Maybe sitting by the bedside of a dying loved one. You pray for healing or relief, but the hours pass on. It feels as if Heaven is silent. The clock ticks, but slower and slower. Time seems to almost stand still as the second hand on the wall drags on but with ever increasing sluggishness. You look away and purpose not to look at it again for along time. After what seems like an eternity you glance once more, only to find a few minutes have passed.

I can imagine this was the way it felt for the disciples from Friday to Sunday.

A seed that is buried looks silent, DEAD.

But, under the soil something is happening. Something powerful that is about to explode with new life.

The disciples said, “Look who we buried”, but the Father says, “Look at what I have planted.”

III. The Fear of the Enemy.

Rome feared a resurrection, yet history tells us they didn’t deny that it occured. They sealed the tomb, rolled a stone over its entrance, and used every power within their resources to make sure Christ didn’t leave the tomb. But, they couldn’t contain Him.

They were trying to Guard a Grave, but Jesus resurrection Validated the Victory.

Matthew 27:62–66 NKJV

62 On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate, 63 saying, “Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise.’ 64 Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead.’ So the last deception will be worse than the first.” 65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.

IV. The Faith of a Few. Matt 28.1

Matthew 28:1 NKJV

1 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.

Mary may not have come expecting a resurrection, but she came.

Mark 9:24 NKJV

24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”