The Resurrection they Didn't See Coming

Introduction

Jesus had told his disciples that he would rise again after being crucified.

Before Going to Jerusalem

Matthew 16:21 “From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.”

While Traveling through Galilee

Matthew 17:22–23 “And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.”

On the Way to Jerusalem

Matthew 20:17–19 “And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.”

In Jerusalem

Matthew 26:32 “But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.”

Yet, on the third day several people came to the tomb and none of them came to see if he had risen.

The Women

Mark 16:1–6 “And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.”

In conjunction with the culture the women decided to go and anoint the body of Jesus. They were wondering who would roll the stone away for them, but when they got there it was already done. That was unusual. Then when they entered into the tomb they found something even more interesting; a man in white raiment and no Jesus.

This angel told them not to be afraid, that Jesus that was crucified was now risen from the dead.

The Disciples

John 20:1–10 “The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.”

Mary ran to get the disciples. Peter and John ran together to the tomb to investigate what had happened. When they came into the tomb they indeed found Jesus was not there. John believed he had risen because the napkin was by itself and not with the other garments.

TELL ABOUT THE NAPKIN

Mary Magdalene

John 20:11–17 “But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.”

Mary stayed around after everyone else went home. She was saddened and was crying. Two angels asked her why she was crying. She was so grieved that she simply answered the question without even noticing. Then Jesus asked her the same question and so overcome with her grief she did not even recognize him. But when he called her by name, she recognized him immediately.

In addition to all those that came to the tomb without any expectation that Jesus rose from the dead there were 9 disciples and several other followers that did not even come to the tomb at all. There was no expectation despite Jesus telling them multiple times that he would rise from the dead.

All of these people had their lack of expectation in common, but in addition they had some other things in common too.

They were all Grieving Jesus

They were saddened by his death. Some people responded by going to the tomb. Some people responded by gathering together and helping each other. And some people did not go to the cross or to the tomb because their grief was so great.

They were all Followers of Jesus

The reason they were all so grief stricken was because they all loved him so much. They had followed him for 3 1/2 years and now they believed they had lost him. They had not remembered what he had told them about rising from the dead, but they followed him.

They were all believers in Jesus

They followed Jesus because they believed that he was the Messiah. His resurrection would solidify this for them. They believed that he was who he said he was. They didn’t understand his death because they didn’t understand fully the Scriptures, but they believed on him.

They all saw Jesus after the Resurrection

Mary saw him soon after the resurrection. Others saw him that evening and Thomas saw him the next Sunday. One by one they he showed himself to them. Their was rejoicing among his followers and shortly after they watched as he ascended into heaven. On the day of Pentecost there were 120 of them gathered together and experienced the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Conclusion

Each Easter we come to church expecting to hear the story of the risen Saviour. It is unlike their first Easter when they had no expectation of hearing of the resurrection of Christ. Now we get to rejoice every Sunday. We get to rejoice in the Salvation that we have because of his resurrection. We get to experience his power in our lives each time we pray. And one day we will get to see him face to face when he comes to rapture us all home.

If you are here as a believer in Christ this morning you are here to rejoice in his resurrection. Let me ask you if you follow him as much as you are rejoicing in him today?

If you are here this morning and you don’t know for sure if you are on your way to heaven I would like to introduce you to Jesus, the Messiah, the Saviour, the Son of God, the Resurrected Lord. I want you to know the joy of Jesus like we who are believers. The resurrection is the defining factor of Christianity. Without the resurrection there is no point to Christianity, but because he is risen we can rejoice because there is forgiveness of sin, there is redemption back to God, there is eternal life in Christ.

This morning if you come to celebrate as a believer and as a follower then it is my pleasure to rejoice with you. If you come this morning as a seeker still trying to figure out whether you believe in Christ or want to follow him then I welcome you to trust Christ as the Son of God and believe upon him as your Savior.