He Is Risen—Victory at Daybreak (Mark 16:1–8)

Good morning, church! Jesus Christ was delivered for our offenses, and was raised for our justification. A dead Saviour cannot save anybody. The Resurrection proves that Jesus Christ is what He claimed to be, the very Son of God.

There is something special about gathering at sunrise on Resurrection Day. As the sun rises and pushes back the darkness, we are reminded of the greatest truth in all of history: Jesus Christ is alive!

That first Resurrection morning began in darkness—grief, confusion, and fear filled the hearts of those who loved Jesus. But by the time the sun rose, everything had changed. And today, because of that empty tomb, everything can change for us too.

Let’s look together at Mark 16:1–8.

I. A Morning That Began with Sorrow (vv. 1–3)

1 Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. 2 Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. 3 And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?”

These women came to the tomb carrying spices. They weren’t expecting a miracle—they were expecting a corpse. In fact, they had purchased spices to complete the anointing that Joseph and Nicodemus had so hastily begun. Their hearts were heavy with grief. The One they loved had been crucified. Their hope seemed buried behind a stone.

And notice what they were asking: “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” They were focused on the obstacle. Isn’t that just like us? We come into church sometimes carrying burdens—grief, fear, uncertainty. We look at the “stones” in our lives and wonder, “How will this ever be moved?” But what they didn’t realize was this: God had already taken care of the problem before they even arrived.

II. The Stone Was Already Rolled Away (v. 4)

“But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large.”

Their first surprise was finding the stone already rolled away from the door so that they were able to enter into the tomb. That stone wasn’t moved so Jesus could get out. It was moved so they—and we—could see in.

The empty tomb is God’s declaration to the world: Death has been defeated. The grave has been conquered. Jesus is alive! What looked like a problem for these ladies… God had already handled. And listen, whatever big stone you’re facing this morning, just remember this, God is still in the business of moving stones.

III. The Message That Changed Everything (vv. 5–7)

5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. 6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. 7 But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.”

The words He is risen! changed history.

The cross was not the end.

The grave could not hold Him.

Death could not defeat Him.

And then comes a beautiful, personal message: “Go, tell His disciples—and Peter…” Did you catch that? And Peter. Peter, the one who denied Jesus. Peter, the one who failed. Peter, who must have been drowning in guilt. And yet the message of the resurrection includes him by name. That’s grace. And that same grace is for us this morning.

No matter your past… No matter your failures… The risen Christ calls you by name.

IV. From Fear to Faith (v. 8)

8 So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

At first, they were overwhelmed—fearful, amazed, unsure. But we know the rest of the story. That fear would turn into bold faith. Those who once trembled would soon proclaim the Gospel to the world. Why? Because when you encounter the risen Jesus, you cannot stay the same.

V. The Victory We Have in Christ

Because Jesus rose from the dead:

Sin is defeated

Death is conquered

The grave has lost its sting

As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:55: “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?”

I want you to hear this clearly this morning: We do not serve a dead Savior. We serve a risen King! And because He lives:

We have hope in our sorrow

We have peace in our fear

We have life beyond the grave

Jesus didn’t just rise for Himself— He rose for you.

This sunrise reminds us that darkness does not win.

The tomb is empty. The Savior is alive. The victory is won.