The Empty Tomb and the Open Gate

Matthew 28:1–10 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. 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. 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.” 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!” 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.”

INTRODUCTION: A LONG WINTER AND A NEW DAWN

In Montana, we understand long winters.

There are seasons where everything looks dead— Grass buried under snow, cattle huddled against the wind, long nights, cold mornings.

You start wondering if spring’s ever coming.

That’s where the disciples were on that first Easter morning.

Their leader had been crucified

Their hope buried in a borrowed tomb

Their future looked as cold and lifeless as a January pasture

Friday felt like everything died. Saturday was silent. But Sunday… Sunday changed everything.

1. THE STONE WAS MOVED (Matthew 28:2–4)

“And behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended… and rolled back the stone…”

That stone wasn’t small. It was heavy. Sealed. Guarded.

Just like some of the things in our lives.

A. We know about heavy stones

Regret you can’t undo

Sin you can’t outrun

Burdens you can’t carry anymore

Shame that sticks like mud on your boots

Some of you walked in here this Easter Sunday morning carrying a load heavier than any rock.

B. God moves what we cannot

Those women didn’t move the stone. The soldiers didn’t move the stone. God moved the stone.

That’s the gospel.

👉 You don’t save yourself. 👉 You don’t roll your own stone away. 👉 Jesus does what you cannot do.

Cowboy Connection

Raising the Pine Creek head gate with pipe wrenches

That’s what Jesus did with the grave. He did what we could not do.

2. THE TOMB WAS EMPTY (Matthew 28:5–6)

“He is not here: for he is risen, as he said.”

This is the centerpiece of Christianity.

Not a philosophy. Not a set of good ideas. Not boxes to check

A risen Savior.

A. If the tomb isn’t empty, none of this matters

No forgiveness

No hope

No eternal life

But because the tomb it was empty…

👉 Sin is paid for 👉 Death is defeated 👉 Hell lost its grip

B. Jesus keeps His word

The angel said, “as He said.”

Jesus told them this would happen.

And just like a good ranch hand who keeps his word, Jesus does exactly what He says.

C. Death isn’t the end anymore

We understand death. Livestock and pets die. Family and friends pass.

But the empty tomb says:

👉 The grave is no longer the final stop 👉 It’s just a doorway

3. FEAR TURNED INTO JOY (Matthew 28:8)

“They departed quickly… with fear and great joy…”

That’s an interesting mix—fear and joy.

A. Encountering the living Christ changes you

They showed up expecting to see a dead body. They left not realizing they were about to meet a risen King.

B. Jesus meets you on the way (Matthew 28:9)

“And as they went… Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” “And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him.”

Notice this:

👉 They didn’t have everything figured out 👉 They were still processing 👉 But they obeyed—and Jesus met them

Notice something here, they recognized the voice of Jesus.

John 10:27 ESV

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

Application

Some of you are waiting to “get your life right” before coming to Jesus.

That’s backwards.

👉 You come to Him first 👉 He meets you where you are 👉 Then HE changes your life

4. THE EMPTY TOMB MEANS THERE IS AN OPEN GATE (John 10:9)

John 10:7–9 ESV

7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.

The empty tomb isn’t just a miracle to admire— It’s an invitation to enter.

A. Jesus is the gate

Gates matter.

The right gate leads to safety

The wrong gate leads to danger

Jesus says:

👉 “I’m the only gate that leads to life.”

Not religion. Not good works. Not being “a decent person.”

Only Jesus.

B. The gate is open—but you must walk through

A gate can be wide open, but it doesn’t help unless you go through it.

Easter declares:

👉 The way is open 👉 The price is paid 👉 The invitation stands

But you still have to respond.

WHAT THE RESURRECTION MEANS FOR US

1. Your sin can be forgiven

2. Your past doesn’t define you

3. Death is not the end

4. You have a purpose now

BECAUSE THE TOMB IS EMPTY, THE GATE TO ETERNAL LIFE IS OPEN

Three Questions to Ask:

Have you trusted Jesus Christ as your Savior?

Have you turned from your sin?

Are you living like the resurrection is real?

INVITATION (ALTAR CALL STYLE)

If you’re here today and you know you’re not right with God…

You’ve been carrying sin

You’ve been running your own way

You’ve never truly surrendered to Jesus

Today is your day.

Not next week. Not someday.

Right now.

Simple Gospel Invitation:

Admit you’re a sinner

Believe Jesus died and rose again

Call on Him as Lord and Savior

“Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

If you are a believer and you’ve been holding onto things that Jesus died for and washed away with His blood, write them down on the post it note and come lay them at the foot of the cross where they belong. (And leave them there)

Closing Prayer (Short and Strong)

“Lord, thank You for the empty tomb. Thank You for rolling away the stone we couldn’t move. Help us walk through the gate You opened. Save those who need saving. Bring the wandering home. And help us live like the resurrection is real. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”