The Resurrection

Last week, we proclaimed “Hosanna! Hosanna! to the Son of David!”

During the course of this week, we have seen Jesus clear the temple. ~ Our “Meek” Savior, turned on the religious with a whip driving them out. He again predicted his death. We find Jesus’ friend, Judas arrainging the betrayal of Jesus. We find Jesus and His followers going into the Upper Room and partaking of what we have come to know as the “Last Supper.” From there Jesus goes to the garden to pray, praying to the Father, “If this cup can pass…but not my will but thine be done.” Then, the unthinkable, the ultimate betrayal. His friend, betraying Him with a kiss. From there being paraded to the religious leaders, to Herod, to Pilate, to the Roman Flagellum, back to Pilate, only for the people He came to save crying out, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” then ultimately choosing to release the rapist, murderer Barrabbas. Him carrying His Cross through the streets of Jerusalem, all the while being mocked, spit upon, struck relentlessly. Needing Simon of Cyrene to carry the cross just for Jesus to be able to live long enough to make it to the top of the “Place of the Skull” where He was ruthlessly stripped of His clothes where the soldiers threw lots for them. Then having his hands and feet pierced with nails as they nailed Him to the Cross of our Salvation and being raised for all mankind to see. There He felt the torment not of men, but of the “forsaking of the Father” allowing Him to die for all of our sins, then being placed in a cold, dark tomb…

Shattered Stones, Shaken Guards

While everyone else was hiding, sulking, wondering what was next. Two women had a job to do. Something they could not let go without being done. They were to anoint the body for proper burial. Jesus died on the eve of the Sabbath. Sabbath was sacred. They didn’t have time to properly prepare His body. So they went to the tomb…

Matthew 28:1 ESV

1 Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.

~ This Mary was the Mother of James.

Immagine this. You are are a Roman soldier. Just doing your job. Guarding a tomb? Why? What was up with that? Then…

Matthew 28:2–4 ESV

2 And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4 And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men.

OH! That’s why? Probably not what their Praetor had in mind, but… here they are, trembling with fear and became like dead men.

Angel's Assurance, Risen Reality

Not sure about you, but a great earthquake…An Angel of the Lord? Appearance like lighting, clothing, white as snow? If I’m them, I’m out too!

Matthew 28:5–7 ESV

5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.”

They were there when they Jesus died. They were probably there when Joseph of Arimathea placed His body in the tomb. They were there when the stone was rolled in place the Roman Guards were stationed.

…And He’s not here? He is risen? Now, they were there when Lazarus was raised from the dead. But, Jesus was beaten beyond recognition, nailed to a Cross, His side pierced with blodd and water flowing from the wound. He raised Lazarus, but how could He raise Himself?

An Angel of the Lord appearing and saying, “He is not here! He is Risen!”

Women Witness, Worshipful Wonder

Could this be? Our Savior? Our Lord? Risen?

Matthew 28:8–9 ESV

8 So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” …

What a day! An Angel of the Lord! Then seeing Jesus Himself!

Matthew 28:9–10 ESV

…And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

Now listen to this,

Matthew 28:10 ESV

10 …“Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

Do not be afraid. ~ So, why are we scared?

Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee. ~ Isn’t that the message that He was always telling us? “Go…”

There they will see me. ~ This is the other part of the message we are all supposed to spread. “Here is where You can meet Jesus…”

This is the message of the Resurrection. We are called to go. We are sent with a mission. “There, you will meet Jesus!”

Let us live in this hope…

Colossians 3:1–4 ESV

1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.