The Resurrection Response.

Introduction:

Introduction:

As Christians we love to be reminded of the glorious reality that our Saviour willingly went to the cross for our sin along with its punishment. Then have the joyous celebration of how Jesus was raised from the dead as the victor over death. We love to sing songs like “Up from the grave He arose” or “Because he lives”. We should love these songs as they draw our hearts to worship the Son of God.

But if I was to ask the question of what the resurrection means to you, how would you respond? I asked a few of you this question and the answers were great. Such as hope, new life, eternal fellowship with Jesus, power, freedom, victory. or some version of that.

For today, in light of those truths, I want to show that the resurrection has implications to our day to day living. The main theme from our passage that I want to bring out is that action follows an empty tomb. This happens first of all with the two Marys, followed by the guards and then the disciples.

Point #1 - Mary and Mary Magdalene tell the disciples.

What is evident from all accounts in the gospels is that everyone thought that when Jesus exhaled his last breath, the King was in fact dead. Their idea that Jesus would rule the earth and expel the Roman empire didn’t happen according to their reasoning. How often our human plans and common sense falls far short of God’s divine sovereign plan.

The disciples which included women like these two Marys had forgotten how Jesus had foretold his death and resurrection three times. So as the Marys make their way in the dark to the tomb to prepare his body the ground they are walking on shakes like they were walking on jello because an angel of the Lord had descended to earth to roll away the stone that covered the tomb. As they approach the tomb they see the angel sitting on top of the stone, dressed in garments white as snow with his appearance brilliant like lightning.

The guards were struck with fear and fainted. However, the Marys were told by the angel to not be afraid “…for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.” He spoke the truth. They were indeed coming to see a dead Jesus that had been crucified. Yet he was not condescending towards them. He tells them that the One you seek is not in the grave. He is alive! He is risen just like he had said.

Then the angel invites them to look into the tomb where the body was laid 3 days earlier. He then directs them to go to the disciples and tell them what they have seen. Tell the disciples that Jesus is alive and to meet him in Galilee where they also will see him. No faith was needed to believe what the eyes have seen. Throughout this chapter the words see, seek and saw is found six times. Eye witness accounts are supposed to be believed. This is why court cases value them so highly.

The angel then directs them to go to the disciples and tell them what they have seen. Tell the disciples that Jesus is alive and to meet him in Galilee where they also will see him. No faith was needed to believe what the eyes have seen. Throughout this chapter the words see, seek and saw is found six times. Eye witness accounts are supposed to be believed. This is why court cases value them so highly.

The Marys go quickly with fear and great joy and run to tell his disciples this great news! But then they were met by the risen Lord (9). “Greetings” “hello” a joyful welcome to someone you haven’t seen for a while. Much like you could imagine someone who was on death’s door, but by a miracle they recover and when you see them next your eyes light up and you shake their hand exuberantly or hug them.

The Marys fall on the ground and worship the risen King. He alone is worthy of worship and this is the right response toward our King. The two Marys have not only seen the empty tomb, now they have laid eyes on the risen Lord. Jesus then restates what the angel had told them. Do not be afraid of this supernatural experience. “Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee and there they will see me.”

So from Matthew’s account, as a result of the resurrection of the Lord, the two Marys are to go and tell the disciples what they have seen. The resurrection has turned sorrow into joy. It has turned hopelessness into being hope filled. Evidence verified by sight of an empty tomb and beholding the glory of the risen Christ has led to action. Going and telling about this reality to the disciples as a result of this truth.

The word “go” as instructed by the angel and Jesus is mentioned three times in this chapter. You could say that this verb is about going as instructed or as you move along, tell the disciples about the risen Christ. Wherever you go, talk about Jesus because the resurrection proves who he is. Go to Galilee.

So what we have seen so far from Matthew’s account is that as a result of the resurrection of the Lord, the two Marys are to go and tell the disciples what they have seen which is an empty tomb. The resurrection has turned sorrow into joy. It has turned hopelessness into hope. It has caused evidence verified by sight to believe that Jesus has been raised to life. This now has led to acting upon this reality to go and tell the disciples what they have seen and what they are to do as a result of this truth.

Tell, told, teach or similar words like this are used seven times. I think this gives evidence enough in that we use words to communicate what we see and what we believe.

So we could summarize this by stating that as a result of the resurrection, the Marys respond by going along and telling the disciples what they have witnessed.

Point #2 - The Guards tell a “story”.

Now we get to the guards who also saw evidence of the resurrection. It would do well if we give a little background. In the last 5 verses of the previous chapter, the chief priests and Pharisees gather on the Sabbath. While the disciples had forgotten what Jesus said about him being resurrected on the 3rd day, the Jewish leaders had not forgotten. They go to Pilate and tell him that this imposter Jesus had told everyone how he was going to come back to life. To prevent a scandal bigger than what has already happened in the city, set up a guard that will protect the tomb until after the 3rd day. This will ensure that the disciples don’t steal his body and tell the people that he has in fact risen from the dead. Pilate gives them guards and his official seal to secure the tomb.

On the 1st day of the week, Sunday, the Lord’s Day of his magnificent resurrection, the world of these guards collapses like a dandelion when it is stepped upon. Here they are, maybe sitting on the grass, backs resting against the rock of the tomb, anticipating the end of their shift when they can go home. All of a sudden the ground beneath them shakes and an angel so bright they can hardly look at him appears before them and moves the rock that covered the tomb of the rich man Joseph of Arimathea. At the sight of the glory of the heavenly host they tremble and faint like as if they were dead.

Now in (11-15) we move to a new scene in this narrative. The Marys are on their way to the disciples and some of the guards recover enough from their terror to go into the city and report what happened to the chief priests. The guards knew that failing to fulfill their duties could result in being executed so it is no wonder that not all dared to go into the city. But some did gather their courage to give their account of what they saw.

The chief priests then gather to themselves the elders of the community. They deliberate and reach a conclusion to buy off the guards to give a false report. They say to the guards “Tell people, his disciples came by night and stole him away while we were sleeping. And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.”

The guards take the money and go into the community telling people what they had been instructed to say. Notice a similar theme playing out here? What the guards saw was truth. Jesus was alive. An angel of the Lord of heaven had in fact moved the stone. They saw with their own eyes this reality, obviously before they fainted. They then report this reality to the chief priests. The Jewish leaders take the truth and twist it. They bribe the guards to go and tell the people a lie. Satan uses human agents to deceive and bear false witness.

This “story” has been spread among the Jews to this day. This is the exact opposite of what the Marys did. They both were eye witnesses to the same event in history. The two Marys reported truth, the guards however took money and reported a fabricated tale. Their response to the resurrection was an evil one.

Point #3 - The Disciples make Disciples.

This “story”

We now move to the last part of our passage (16-20). In what is known as the great commission, we have written for us the culmination in what our response to the resurrection is to be. Time has gone by, the Marys have reported to the disciples what they saw and were directed to do and now the eleven disciples, (the twelve minus Judas who hung himself) come to Galilee.

When they see Jesus (17), they worship him just like the Marys did and rightfully so as King of all kings and Lord of all lords. Yet it says some doubted. Now this could also be read as they worshipped and they doubted. The resurrection was indeed a supernatural miracle. The mind would have a difficult time processing this. They were perplexed, puzzled and yet overcome with joyful praise and worship.

What they saw was real even though it was hard to comprehend. The Lord says to the disciples:

18 All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. As Jason had pointed out last week in SS, Jesus as the Victor over sin and death has been given all authority. It was not taken or conquered by some cosmic fight, but given by God Almighty to Jesus. This authority is sovereign, it is authority that is so powerful that no legion of demons or the devil himself can ever take it from him.

Paul’s words in is helpful where he says that when God raised Jesus from the dead, he seated him at his right hand far above all rule and authority and power and dominion.

The resurrection of Jesus from that dark gloomy tomb means that Jesus is in fact the Son of God who lays down his life willingly and takes it up. Only the Author of life can vanquish death by living again. The resurrection of Jesus means he has all authority.

Jesus goes on to say: 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.

The disciples have seen the risen Jesus as the Son of God. As a result of this great truth they are instructed to go into the world and make disciples of all nations. Jews and Gentiles, rich and poor, slave and free, man and woman.

You may ask the question “How does one make a disciple?” I am glad you asked. The answer is through evangelism, bearing witness of the reality that Jesus is alive. That he now sits on the throne at the right hand of God. The resurrected King calls sinners to repent of their sin and trust that Jesus alone is victor over sin and death, that he alone is your Saviour from your debt of sin. By the regenerating power of the Spirit in giving sinners a new heart and the hearing of the gospel message, sinners that are called by God to his Son Jesus truly believe that their Saviour is the risen Christ. They now pick up their cross and follow Jesus. They are now a Christian. That by default means they are a disciple of Jesus.

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Some may think that there is a difference between a Christian and a disciple. Like on one hand is a content Christian waiting for the return of Christ, just coasting down the river trying not to rock the boat too much. Try to give money to the church, attend at least as often as you can, be as good as you can kind of believer. On the other hand is the “disciple” who is a go getter kinda Christian. Maybe what one would say is radical or on fire for Jesus. One who is active in ministry, sharing the gospel, discipling, and doing religious type things. There must be a difference right? Wrong! When one comes to saving faith by believing in the resurrected Jesus, they in turn make disciples as obeying the command of our King who has all authority.

Our Lord’s Commission does not end there. He says that the new disciples are to be baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. As we have discussed in SS lately, baptism by faith is to make a public proclamation that the Christian now identifies with Jesus in his death to this world and now lives in Christ. Taking serious what the Lord has taught and applying it now to their daily lives.

When one comes to saving faith by believing in the resurrected Jesus, they in turn make disciples as obeying the command of our King who has all authority. But our Lord’s Commission does not end there. He says that the new disciples are to be baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. As we have discussed in SS lately, baptism by faith is to make a public proclamation that they now identify with Jesus in his death to this world and now live in Christ.

He then moves on to the all important aspect of a life of discipleship. The meaning of disciple is learner. They learn from their Rabbi who is the Good Teacher. The disciples are to teach other disciples how to observe or obey all that Jesus commanded. Discipleship is not an option according to Jesus. Now some have more gifts that make evangelism and teaching easier than others. This is a grace of God and let us praise God for these gifts. But from our passage that we see in front of our eyes, it is very clear that as a result of the resurrection of Jesus, all Christians/disciples are to go along our life’s journey talking about the risen Christ, calling them to turn to Jesus as their own Saviour, getting baptized and teaching these new disciples how to obey Jesus.

You may find yourself getting sweaty palms thinking about this, maybe the heart is racing, thinking of excuses that we can give for why we can’t do this. Too busy, too shy, etc.

Like I said last week about the compassion of Jesus as our faithful High Priest who sympathizes with us in every matter of life. He also I believe is anticipating this great inner turmoil that fights within us. He encourages us at the end of this passage:

And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” How is he with us?

The risen Christ has ascended into glory and on the day of Pentecost, he poured out his Spirit into the disciples gathered there in Jerusalem (). The church age was birthed by God now living in his people forever. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues that was not just jibberish and baby talk like we so often see today, but rather they were understandable languages of all nations.

What were they saying in these tongues of the people groups around them? The good news of Jesus Christ’s resurrection. Peter’s sermon was evangelistic and true to what he had seen and believed. Those in the crowd were confronted boldly by Peter that they were responsible for murdering Jesus on the cross and the people under the conviction of the Spirit cried out to the disciples “Brothers, what shall we do?”

Peter responds “Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” He went on to continue bearing witness about Jesus exhorting them to be saved and those who received his word were baptized, 3,000 souls were added to the church. Jesus is with his people as Immanuel. This is how we can do the work of the Lord because Jesus has already done the work at the cross and in his resurrection.

Have you trusted in Jesus as your Saviour? Are you hoping your good works will gain favour with God as a righteous judge? Your good works will hold up as righteous about as good as a spider’s web holds a falling brick from a housetop. Turn to Jesus for their is no other name given among men by which we must be saved.

Application:

A few quick thoughts about how we can apply this text to our lives.

Evangelize. For many of us, including myself, this can maybe be the most difficult part of Christian life. Our sinful nature wants to protect our own skin. But let us be encouraged to know that because Jesus has given us this incredible gift of faith, that because Jesus lives in us, we can now go about our lives telling others about the risen Christ. I have included an insert in your bulletin that is a short read on some helpful tips on starting up that awkward conversation that may lead to the gospel. You and I can do this by God’s power.

Disciple. Encourage one another to keep learning about Jesus and his gospel. Encourage fellowship with one another to show one another what we know about God from the Scriptures. If you are a believer one day longer than another, you can still teach what you know to be true.

Pray. Come before the throne of God and plead with him to help you in areas where you struggle. Whether it is witnessing, teaching, or lack understanding, or even struggling with being passionate about Jesus. Call upon your Father, pour out your heart to him, ask him to reveal himself in the face of Jesus, trust that he will surely do this and have the faith of a child to believe that according to his will, you will be strengthened and filled with hope for what he will do through you in the future as you pursue him to know him more fully.

Conclusion:

The resurrection response for his people is about action. See, go, tell. See by faith to believe that Jesus is alive. Go along your life and tell others about the resurrection of Jesus. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Someday our faith will become sight as we will see Jesus as he is! May you be blessed as you seek to glorify God by your daily living in the power of the Spirit. Amen

Benediction: