Whatcha Lookin' 4

The Gospel is more than a story

8:1

Matthew 28:1–2 ESV

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. 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.

There is an old saying, “the devil is in the details.” Sometimes, when people try to challenge the Resurrection of Christ, they make grand, sweeping charges about pagan beliefs that sound similar, or about the impossibility of the Resurrection.

After the Sabbath: it was the 1st day of the week, for the Sabbath was and is the 7th.

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb: in the first century, women were not valued as witnesses (Remember the Samaritan woman in ?). This incident begins with women going to the tomb.

Matthew (as are the other Gospel writers), makes it clear that this resurrection occurs, not on the Sabbath, but after the Sabbath, on the first day. Based upon , they - including Jesus - “rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.” Jesus said that he would rise in three days (; ), and the sinless Son of God does not lie, nor does He break any other commandment.

Matt 28:3-7

Matthew 28:3–7 ESV

His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 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.”

Things one should know about angels

a) The Bible does not give us a complete description of what the angels look like; they often appear in white clothes (; etc.) and surrounded with great light (; etc.). They inspire fear (; ), but should not be worshiped (; ). [1]

[1] Grindheim, S. (2013). Introducing Biblical Theology (p. 18). London; New Delhi; New York; Sydney: Bloomsbury.

b) Angels of the Lord do what they are told to do! That angel came down, rolled away the stone, and sat there. He didn’t say anything to ease the fears of the guard, nor did he say anything to Peter and John (; ). He only appears and comforts the women.

The Bible does not tell us why God gave these instructions. However, it is interesting that, just as it was a woman that brought a bad report to God’s representative, Adam (), so now, it is a woman that brings the Good News to Christ’s representative, Peter ().

The impact of Christ’s resurrection

Matthew 28:8–10 ESV

So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

Matt 28:8-10

They obeyed the angel, albeit with fear - Law can have that impact upon you. Then they see Jesus, and they “worshiped Him.” The full unveiling of the Gospel to them dispelled the fear that energized them before for says, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear....”

Colossians 3:1–4 ESV

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

Col 3:1-4

This is another aspect of the Resurrection: Now that He is risen, and established in His Kingdom, our orientation to life itself has changed. He died for us, and now He is risen. We died with Him, and in Him, we now have eternal life. We are not to live as those whose focus is death, but as those whose focus is life.

Whatcha Lookin’ 4

The women were looking to show their last respects.

Later, the men went, looking to clear up a crazy story.

Why are you here? What do you seek?

Christ is not in the tomb; He is not dead. You will not find Him with Buddha, nor will you find Him with Mohammed or Confucius. The philosophers, mystics, and law-enforcers have all died, but the Christ lives.

He is risen; He is risen indeed.