Sermon Tone Analysis

The resurrection of Jesus is the most important event in history.

It was the event that transformed a bunch of fearful disciples into a group of valiant men who were willing to sacrifice their lives for their faith in the resurrected Messiah.

Despite the opposition and denial of the fact, these verses show us three facts:

No measure of security could stop Him.

The priests and Pharisees did all they could to eliminate Jesus and his influence on the people: on Friday, they put pressure on Pilate to scourge and crucify Jesus; on Saturday, they requested two things from Pilate, to seal the tomb, not only in the sense of stamping his seal, but in the sense of sealing (firmly closing, making secure) the tomb and posting a group of soldiers to guard it.

“And they made the grave secure, and along with the guard they set a seal on the stone.”

27:66

The word “secure” is the translation of ἀσφαλίζω, a word that might be the root of “asphaltos” (the seal used on roads); and the “seal” (σφραγίζω) is used for sealing in both senses, stamping and sealing.

The guard (koustodia) was made of a detachment of elite soldiers whose main job was to protect kings or important people like governors.

It could have been a “contubernia” (8-9 soldiers with a decano in charge) or a “squadra”, made of two contubernias, (16 soldiers with a leader).

In other words, there were three levels of security: the sealing of the stone, the seal of the governor, and the koustodia.

Who would dare to break through without facing death?

The tomb could not retain Him.

He had fulfilled His promise.

“He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said.”

6

Early in His ministry, He had told them that it would happen to Him something similar to Jonah:

Mat 12:40

Apparently, the disciples did not understand the metaphorical prophecy.

Therefore, later, Jesus had to say it to them in more explicit terms:

Mat 16:21

Either they did not pay attention or did not believe it.

Otherwise why were they surprised when the women came to tell them that Jesus was not in the tomb?

Oh, but Jesus’ enemies had not forgotten those words.

When they came to ask Pilate to seal and guard the tomb, they said,

The tomb could not retain Him because He had to fulfill His promise, but also because He was the life.

He was the life and giver of life.

When God made man, He formed him of the dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.

In his gospel, John declares about Jesus:

Death could not overcome the life and giver of life.

Jesus’ cry of victory over death could have been those prophetic words of Hosea in the Old Testament, and repeated by Paul, when he speaks about resurrection in the letter to the Corinthians: “Oh death, where is your victory?

Oh death, where is your sting?”

Such was His power over death that, after He rose from the dead, those who were in the sepulchers opened by the earthquake also caught life:

Mat 27:52-53

His resurrection gives us assurance.

Encouraging us to fear not.

Both, the angel and Jesus, gave the women the same encouragement:

“The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I Know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified.”

“Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and take word to my brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me.”

One of things man fear most is death.

There is fear of death because of fear to the unknown and fear to judgment.

Giving us assurance of resurrection.

Just before He was betrayed, Jesus promised His disciples that He was going to prepare a place for them in the house of His Father.

He had promised to redeem our soul and body.

How could that happen without resurrection?

It would be impossible!

To Lazarus’ sisters, He told:

and Lazarus came out of the tomb at Jesus’ call.

Such assurance is also given to the believers:

The resurrection of Jesus was the confirmation of all His promises!

His resurrection is the foundation of our faith!

He is not dead!

He is alive!