Jesus Christ Is Risen

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Matthew 28:1-8

Matthew 28:1–8 KJV 1900

1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. 2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: 4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. 5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. 6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. 8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

Introduction

There is a very popular topic among sports fans as to who is the G.O.A.T. in each sport or the athlete in any given sport. The word G.O.A.T. is an acronym for Greatest Of All Time. The criteria, which can be viewed from various perspectives, usually surround certain statistics and/or achievements like wins/loses, points scored/points allowed, awards or championships. This same topic is discussed and debated concerning other areas of life as well such as politics, acting, medicine, science, military, even religion. There are books written, movies made, and statues erected. Everybody has an opinion, and the debate never ends.

Who would you say is life’s G.O.A.T.?

When it comes to the question the greatest events of all time, I believe it comes down to three:

Creation

The Virgin [Mary] Conception, and

2) The Virgin [Mary] Conception, and the Resurrection of Christ from the dead. Concerning these events, there is only one person who qualifies to be in the discussion, and that person is none other than Jesus Christ of Nazareth. In Creation, the Bible declares that “All things were made by Him [Jesus Christ, my edition] and without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was life and His life was the light of men.” (); In the Virgin Conception, the Bible declares that the angel Gabriel said unto Mary, “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” (); and last but not least, concerning the Resurrection of Christ from the dead brings us to our text today. The bible declares that the angel said to the women that came to the tomb where Jesus was buried, “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”

The Resurrection of Christ from the dead

Concerning these events, there is only one person who qualifies to be in the discussion, and that person is none other than Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

In Creation, the Bible declares that “All things were made by Him [Jesus Christ, my edition] and without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was life and His life was the light of men.” ();

In the Virgin Conception, the Bible declares that the angel Gabriel said unto Mary, “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” ();

Finally, concerning the Resurrection of Christ from the dead brings us to our text today. The bible declares that the angel said to the women that came to the tomb where Jesus was buried, “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”

Today, we commemorate and celebrate the most holy day of the Christian faith—the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, known as Resurrection Day or as is traditionally referred to as Easter Sunday. Christianity rises or falls on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Resurrection of Christ from the dead is either true or false.

Today, we will look at the evidence that supports this miraculous truth. Resurrection Day coincides with the Jewish celebration of Passover, because it was the Passover when Jesus was crucified—becoming our Passover Lamb or the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world.

Note: Passover is celebrated on the first Sunday following the full moon that occurs on or after March 21—or one week later if the full moon falls on Sunday. In other words, Easter falls between March 22 and April 25

The resurrection is recorded by all the gospel writers:

Chronology of the resurrection events:

1. Finding the stone rolled away, the women entered the tomb, but found it empty ().

2. While they were still in the tomb, the angels suddenly appeared (; ).

3. The angel who spoke reminded them of Jesus’ promises (), then sent them to find Peter and the disciples to report that Jesus was risen (, ; , ).

4. The women did as they were told ().

5. The disciples were skeptical at first (), but ran to where the tomb was, John arriving first (), but Peter actually entering the tomb first ().

6. They saw the linen wrappings intact but empty, proof that Jesus was risen (; ).

7. They left immediately (; ).

8. Meanwhile, Mary Magdalene returned to the tomb, and was standing outside weeping when Christ suddenly appeared to her (). That was His first appearance ().

9. Sometime soon after that, He met the other women on the road and appeared to them as well (, ).

Later that day he appeared to two of the disciples on the road to Emmaus (), and to Peter ().

V.6 “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”

The angel told the women not to fear, because he knew that they were at the sepulcher seeking the crucified Christ. But He was no longer there because He had risen as He said He would.

When and where did Jesus say these words? This is an important question because the authenticity of His ministry is founded upon His resurrection from the dead. After cleansing the temple of the money changers and those that sold sacrificial animals in the temple, the Jewish leaders ask for a sign that justified His actions. Jesus responded and said, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” () In other words, the resurrection is your sign.

Other places in Scripture where Jesus made the same claim:

– “And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.”

– “Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, “After three days I will rise again”.”

– “And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.”

– “For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.”

– “And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.”

– “And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.”

– “Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.”

– “And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:”

This means that everyone should pay attention to everything Jesus said, Why? Because, He speaks the truth and speaks it with the authority of Almighty God.

. What else has Jesus said? Well, all that He ever said or did is not recorded, but what is recorded is enough to save any man woman, boy or girl who truly receives Jesus Christ as their personal Savior; and, enough to condemn all who reject Him.

What else has Jesus said? Well, all that He ever said or did is not recorded, but what is recorded is enough to save any man woman, boy or girl who repents of their sins and truly receives Jesus Christ as their personal Savior; and, enough to condemn all who reject Him.

Jesus said:

Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. (24) I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.”

“God so loved the world , that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (17) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (18) He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

“Let not your heart be troubled…I go to prepare a place for you…I will come again to receive you unto myself…I am the way, the truth, and the life…”

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you… Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: (26) And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

At His ascension, the angel said, “this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”

Conclusion

Jesus lives! And, because He lives, we live also. Death has been defeated. Therefore, death has no more dominion over believers. I heard Peter say, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,” Because Christ lives, we can, like Paul, ask the question, “Oh death, where is your sting? Oh grave, where is your victory? For the sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.” AMEN and Happy Resurrection Day!