He is Risen!

Mark 15:42-16:8

Introduction

The objections…

1. The swoon theory: Jesus did not really die but fainted because of the enormous physical punishment He suffered. Later regaining consciousness in the cool, damp tomb, He unwrapped Himself from His grave clothes. He then managed to move aside the large stone that sealed the tomb. Jesus emerged bruised and bleeding; then He convinced His followers that He had risen from the dead.

2. The wrong-tomb theory: belief in Jesus’ bodily resurrection rests on a simple mistake. First the women and later the men went to the wrong tomb by accident. Finding that tomb empty, they erroneously concluded that Jesus had risen from the dead.

3. The hallucination theory: Jesus preconditioned His disciples to hallucinate by means of hypnosis. One person said - Jesus may have “prepared his disciples for his resurrection using the technique that modern hypnotists call posthypnotic suggestion. By this means he could have effectively conditioned them to hallucinate his appearances in response to certain prearranged cues” (Wilson, Jesus, 141).

You can trust that Jesus died and was buried sacrificially for you.

Explain

Jospeh of Arimathea

Respected member of the Sanhedrin

He was looking for the Kingdom of God

Luke 23:51 informs us that he did not support the counsels decision to seek execution of Jesus. ‘

John 19:38 tells us that Jospeh of Arimathea was a disciple of Jesus

Nicodemus

Mark does not mention this but there was another prominent member of the Sanhedrin present with Jospeh and his name was Nicodemus.

John 19:39–40 “39 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.”

Interesting to note… There is a contrast at play here… Jospeh and Nicodemus were in the shadows concerning their loyalty and love for Jesus during the life of Jesus… but now they do not care who sees their loyalty and love for Jesus but the disciples who once displayed their loyalty and love before the world are now in the shadows…

It is not how you start…its how you finish! And fortunately for the disciples and for us His mercies are new every morning!

Prove

Evidence for the death of Jesus

Swoon theory

#1 Pilate Verified Jesus’ Death (Roman Certainty)

In Gospel of Mark 15:44–45, Pilate doesn’t casually release the body

He is surprised Jesus died so quickly (since crucifixion could take days). 

He summons the centurion to confirm it.

Only after official verification does he release the body.

Why is this significant?

A Roman centurion was a trained execution officer.

If he falsely reported a prisoner dead,.then his own life would be on the line

According to John 19:34, Jesus’ side was pierced—producing “blood and water,” consistent with death

Pilate did not leave the death of Jesus up to guesswork… This was a legal and official military confirmation of death!

#2 The Burial Process Would Have Exposed Any Life

Look at who handled the body:

Joseph of Arimathea

Nicodemus

The women (including) Mary Magdalene

They didn’t just move the body—they:

Took Him down from the cross

Handled Him closely

Washed and wrapped Him in linen (John 19:39–40)

Applied spices (about 75 pounds)

Use logic, reason, and ask the question…

Would multiple people, in direct contact with His body, miss signs of life

They weren’t expecting resurrection.

They believed and were convinced that Jesus was dead

If there were breath, movement, or warmth—it would have been noticed.

The swoon theory cannot stand under the amount of evidence given!

The Wrong Tomb Theory

#1 The Location Was Carefully Observed

Mark 15:47 “47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.”

Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses witnessed were Jesus was buried

They planned to return after the Sabbath.

Mark shows us they had an intentional observation

#2 The Tomb Was Known, Owned, and Traceable

Matthew 27:59–60 “59 And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud 60 and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away.”

Jesus was buried in Josephs own new tomb

It was cut in the rock

a large stone sealed it

Isaiah 53:9 “9 And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth.”

Mark is telling us that the burial site was not random… we know the owner!

Press

Why does the death of Jesus really matter?

If Jesus did not truly die… then there is no

Sacrifice for sins

Resurrection

Victory over death

Gospel

But because Jesus did in fact die…

He became our sinless substitute

The wrath of God was poured out on Jesus so that we could have a way for our sins to be forgiven and our relationship with God restored.

God provided Jesus on the cross to be our substitute so that we might have forgiveness of sins and a right relationship with God.

Illustrate

Abraham and Isaac

Genesis tells the story of God calling Abraham to offer up his son, Isaac—the son of promise—on an altar. It is a shocking command, and yet Abraham obeys.

As they journey up the mountain, Isaac asks a penetrating question: “Father, I see the fire and the wood… but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?”

Abraham responds with remarkable faith: “God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.”

When they reach the top, Abraham binds Isaac and lifts the knife—but at the last moment, a voice from heaven cries out and stops him. Abraham has passed the test. He was willing to give up even his beloved son.

Then Abraham looks up—and sees a ram caught in a thicket. God had provided a substitute.

And Abraham names that place Jehovah Jireh—“The Lord will provide.”

Apply

About 2000 years later… and a few hundred yards from the spot where Abraham was to offer up Isaac

God did what He would not allow Abraham to do.

He gave up His Son.

There was no substitute for the Son of God—because the Son of God became the substitute for us.

Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, was offered on the cross. And there God provided salvation for all who would come and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ… Jehovah Jireh provided us salvation by the death of Jesus.

Not only did Jesus in fact die… Jesus did in fact rise from the dead… and

You can trust that Jesus rose from the grave victoriously.

Explain

Read Mark 16:1-8

It was now Sunday, the first day of the week. The Sabbath is over. The women, Mary Madelene and Mary the mother of Joses, who both were at the crucifixion and burial are now, along with Salome (the mother of James and John) heading back to the tomb of Jesus to anoint his body with more spices… which was a way to show honor…

Notice the conversation they were having along the way!

“Who will roll away the stone for us?

This stone probably took 4-6 men to roll it and seal the tomb… it would have taken no less to move it back open…

4 - They saw that the stone had been rolled away!

Could you have imagined the emotions and thoughts from these women?

They saw with their own eyes their Lord being crucified, Both Marys witnessed him being put into the tomb…

Perhaps someone else was there to anoint the body of Jesus…

Notice that a resurrection was the not even on their minds… they were coming to find a dead Jesus.

5 - Upon entering into the tomb they see an angel… the other gospels record that there were two angels… Mark only makes mention of the one talking to the women… As it is in Scripture when humans encounter an angel… they are afraid

6-7 - Listen to the message of the angel… a messenger of the Lord… Do not be afraid. You seek Jesus of Nazareth… He was crucified and now He is risen… He is not here! Look at the place they laid Him! Now go and tell His disciples and Peter that He is going there before you…. There you will see Him just as he told you!

3 times in the Gospel of Mark alone Jesus tells His disciples that He would die and rise from the grave!

Mark 8:31 “31 And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again.”

Mark 9:31 “31 for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.””

Mark 10:33–34 “33 saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. 34 And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise.””

Jesus kept His promise!

8 - Look at the women’s response

trembling and astonishment seized them… Mark says that they did not say a word to anyone… they were afraid!

Prove

Evidence for the resurrection

The hallucination theory

Some have argued that the disciples only thought they saw Jesus—that His resurrection appearances were hallucinations. One suggestion is that Jesus somehow “preconditioned” His disciples through something like hypnosis, planting expectations that later caused them to imagine His appearances.But this theory quickly falls apart.

#1 Nobody was expecting a resurrected Jesus The disciples were not anticipating a resurrection. Even though Jesus had foretold it, they did not understand or believe it would happen. When He died, their hope was gone.

#2 The followers of Jesus were fearful and scattered The women came to the tomb in fear, not faith. The men were hiding behind locked doors. This is not the posture of people expecting to see a risen Savior—it is the posture of people convinced the story is over.

Hallucinations don’t typically happen to groups, and they certainly don’t happen to people who are not expecting what they “see.”

Press

The evidence of the resurrection is overwhelming… The Bible records that Jesus appeared to over 500 people…

there are so many reasons why a resurrection is the only logical conclusion..

Let me give you two compelling reasons that strongly support the resurrection:

The Radical Change of the Disciples

At the death of Jesus, the disciples were afraid, scattered, and in hiding.

But after the resurrection—and especially after Pentecost—they became bold, fearless witnesses. They preached publicly, endured persecution, and ultimately gave their lives for their message.

People may die for something they believe is true… But they do not die for something they know is a lie.

Something happened to transform every one of them.

Acts 4:13 “13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.”

The Conversion of Skeptics

James (the brother of Jesus)

During Jesus’ ministry, even His own family did not believe in Him.

“For not even his brothers believed in him.”John 7:5 

His family thought He was out of His mind.Mark 3:21 

And yet later: James identifies himself as “a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.”James 1:1 

James went from skeptic to a key leader in the church in Jerusalem. What changed? The risen Christ appeared to him.

Paul

Paul was not just a skeptic—he was a violent opponent of Christianity.

He persecuted believers and approved of the death of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. He was on his way to arrest more Christians when everything changed.

He encountered the risen Jesus.

Paul, a strict monotheistic Jew who would have considered worshiping a man as blasphemy, now boldly proclaimed that Jesus is God Romans 9:5 “5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.”

All of these disciples gave their lives for Christ… who dies for a lie?

Illustrate

“I know the resurrection is a fact, and Watergate proved it to me. How? Because 12 men testified they had seen Jesus raised from the dead, then they proclaimed that truth for 40 years, never once denying it. Every one was beaten, tortured, stoned and put in prison. They would not have endured that if it weren't true. Watergate embroiled 12 of the most powerful men in the world-and they couldn't keep a lie for three weeks. You're telling me 12 apostles could keep a lie for 40 years? Absolutely impossible.” - Chuck Colsen

Apply

The Resurrection Changes Everything

The disciples lives were changed by this reality

Fearful → fearless

Hiding → proclaiming

Weak → Bold and willing to die

skeptics like James and Paul were radically transformed.

Because the resurrection is true that means that

This life is not all there is

Suffering has purpose

Death is defeated

So like those disciples we too can live with boldness, urgency, and hope.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow! Because He lives, All fear is gone. Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living, Just because He lives!

The story does not end with the death and resurrection of Jesus!

The mission of Jesus will continue through His people!

Explain

The disciples were radically transformed—and then they turned the world upside down through their bold witness of the risen Christ.

What the world needs most is not more opinions, not more politics, not more religion—but Jesus.

Have you truly met Him? And if you have, are you making Him known?

My prayer for you is this: that the resurrection of Jesus would not simply be something you believe—but a reality that shapes everything about you… how you live, how you love, and how you speak—My hope is that like the disciples, others will see something in us, the people of God, worth giving up their life for as well.

Invitation

Non-believer

We want to give you an opportunity to trust Jesus as Savior… He is the answer that you are looking for and possible the answer to the question you do not know you have…

Believer

You have a reason to praise and no reason to keep silent! May you be bold to share what God has done with those in your life!