EASTER 2020

Introduction

Good morning church on this beautiful Easter morning.

I don’t know how your feeling this morning but if it’s anything like how I’m feeling there is a lot missing today. I’m missing the opportunity to be with each of you and being able to worship Jesus together on this most special of days, when we remember the great sacrifice that Jesus did and his ultimate defeat of the grave for each one of us. I miss the fellowship that we get to have when we enter into our church together. But in the midst of all those things that I’m missing I’m excited and hopeful in knowing that the church is still together, we are still gathering together digitally, through mediums like this. I’m excited and hopeful that the mission and ministry of the church doesn’t stop because we can’t meet together. I’m excited and hopeful that Jesus is still being proclaimed here in Sicamous and around the world today as we remember together today all that Jesus has done for us.

So today being Easter Sunday we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. The fact that was crucified on cross and three days later he was raised to life, just like he said. And how all of that changed our world and our lives, even today 2000 years later. And this morning we’re going to spend our time together looking at the first 10 verses of Matthew 28, that our students read so amazingly just a little bit ago. We’re going to look at 3 different aspects to Jesus’ resurrection which I think will be helpful for us to understand what took place during this time and what it might look like for us as we read it today. So if you can turn with me one more time to Matthew chapter 28. We’re going to read verses 1-10.

“Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb.

2 Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. 3 His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. 4 The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.

5 Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. 7 And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.”

8 The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message. 9 And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”

1. FEAR (1-4)

The first emotion that we read in this passage is one of fear. We read that Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to the tomb. What they were going to do in going to the tomb was to finish the preparation of Jesus’ body. This preparation had be cut short because of the Sabbath and so they wanted to continue this process of preparation and mourning for their Saviour and Lord who was brutally taken away from them just a few days ago.

Then we read that suddenly there was an earthquake. The second earthquake that we learn having happened during this weekend. John Trapp notes, “The earth shook both at Christ’s passion and at his resurrection; then, to show that it could not bear his suffering; now, to show that it could not hinder his rising”. The first earthquake shortly after his death and now an earthquake just before his resurrection.

And it’s written that an angel of the Lord came down and rolled away the stone. This stone that was put in front of Jesus’ tomb, to make sure that his disciples and followers wouldn’t come and steal his body. It was no denying that it was an angel as the guard noted his face shone like lightening, blinding brilliant light.

Then we read about the first emotion that was felt in this section of scripture we have for us this morning, fear. The guard and the Mary’s were frightened. This was unlike anything they had ever experienced and they were afraid at what they had just witnessed.

Fear is a really interesting emotion and feeling. It’s sometimes debilitating, causing us to not want to move or sometimes even to run. It’s a probably an emotion that has become more real for a lot of us during the last few weeks.

But you also know what. Fear is a healthy emotion. It’s something that causes us to pay attention to what is happening around us, doesn’t it. I’m not afraid to admit it but I have a fear of heights. I just don’t like peering over cliffs or hanging off the side of high things. It is something that I’m just not a huge fan of. Which is pretty ironic because when Bethany and I got married we went to Arizona for our honeymoon and got to visit the Grand Canyon. We actually drove 5 hours from where we were staying to go and see the Grand Canyon. We spent a few hours visiting the touristy spots along the drive. Went it came time to actually go and see the look outs we actually only spent probably 10 min looking over the edge. Our combined fear of heights and seeing folks really work hard and looking over the edge and possibly fall over caused us to turn back and keep moving on.

Now I view this fear of heights as healthy cause I know I’m protecting myself from a fall. But there are times where I have to embrace that fear and get on a ladder to get stuff done. I have to look at the fear and understand that there are times where I need to push through and do what I need to do. Florence Nightingale said, “How very little can be done under the spirit of fear.”

We see 2 responses to this fear in our passage this morning. The guards fell into a dead faint. They were out. These powerful guys who were built for fighting and protecting couldn’t stand up to this being from heaven. But the women, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary stuck around. We know that they were fearful, we know they didn’t quite understand what was happening, but I believe that their faith and belief in Jesus as the Messiah caused them to push through and be in the presence of the angel of the Lord.

There is a lot of things to fear isn’t there. And I’m not specifically just talking about the virus that is preventing us from being together, although this is a fear. But in general there are a lot of things that we fear. We have financial fears, fears relation to our families, fears of the future and what it holds, fears in relationships. We can easily allow these fears to debilitate us, to cause us to be in a position where we can’t do anything. Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback church in the states says, “Fear is a self imposed prison that will keep you from becoming what God intends for you to be. You must move against it with the weapons of faith and love.”

But there is a great lesson and encouragement that we can get from the Mary’s here. That God’s love as experienced through Jesus is a freeing thing. It’s something that can make the scariest moment in our lives bearable. Knowing that you have a Saviour who would go through the worst punishment possible, to die on a cross to save us from a punishment that we deserve. Why? Because of his great love for us. Because he couldn’t think about eternity without us alongside him. In Romans 8:38-39 Paul describes this love that Christ has for each one of us when he says, “38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

And its that love from Jesus, in the midst of this fear that they face which kept them engaged and drew them to the next emotion that we come up to in this passage. This fear hasn’t and doesn’t leave them. But there is a knowledge that comes with this fear. That God will be there, there is expectant hope that God will show up in the midst of this fear. And that’s one of the things I hope we take with us today as we leave here. Fear is ok, but we must remember that God is with us, that God will show up like he did on this resurrection morning, like he will in our lives when we invite him in and ask him to be Lord of our lives. This love that he gives will never leave us and be apart of us in the midst of this fear! Billy Graham sums it up great when he says, “God proved His love on the Cross. When Christ hung, and bled, and died, it was God saying to the world, ‘I love you.’”

2. Peace & Hope (5-7)

The second set of emotions and feelings that I see experienced by the Mary’s in our passage this morning is peace and hope.

We see as we continue the story that the angel speaks to the women and he starts off with 3 important words. “Don’t be afraid”. Like we talked about the angel knew these women were fearful at his presence and so he makes sure to share with them words that I can only imagine provided a sense of peace and comfort during this time, letting them know that there is nothing to fear.

He goes on to let them know that he knows that they came to look for Jesus who’d been crucified. And then he shares with them words that would have rattled them to their core. He is not here! He is not here! It would be a sad story if we’d stopped right there, but the angel goes on to give them the hope and reminder that they need. He tells them that Jesus has risen from the dead, just as he had told them he would.

And just so that there wouldn’t be any doubt he tells them to come and look at where his body was lying. In John’s account it says that all that saw was the linen wrappings lying inside the tomb.

Now here is the hope that they have. Knowing that Jesus, who many of them had seen and do these amazing things over the last 3 years, is finishing his earthly ministry just as he said he would. He actually told them 3 times that this would happen. On three separate occasions Jesus told them that he would face terrible suffering but on the third day that he would be raised from the dead.

You’d think that after spending so much time with Jesus that they would have understood and remembered this and sat expectantly waiting for this resurrection to happen. But we don’t see that. In Luke’s account we get the sense that the disciples were not expecting this to happen. They were probably scared and unsure of what was going to happen now that their leader their Lord had been crucified.

We then see the angel tell the Mary’s go, go and tell the disciples what you’ve seen. That Christ has risen from the dead and is going ahead of them into Galilee. And there Christ will be waiting for them.

The Mary’s were afraid as they visited the tomb. And what is given to them is a sense of peace. What this doesn’t mean is that that initial fear is gone, remember fear is healthy, but they are comforted and told to not fear and then hope is given to them that this isn’t the end of the story. That God’s work isn’t done.

Some of us need to hear that same thing this morning. Don’t be afraid, this isn’t the end of the story. You see, for some of the disciples and maybe even for the Mary’s they came into this day thinking that they were going to prepare Jesus’ body and then that would be it. But what they found when they got there was that the story wasn’t over yet. And the hope is of the things to come.

For some of you today this is maybe the first time you’ve heard the Easter story, or you haven’t heard it in a while. What I hope you get to understand is that just like the Mary’s and the disciples Jesus isn’t done yet. He’s waiting for you, just like he went ahead of the disciples. All he’s asking is for you to take the fears and doubts and worries that you have to him and he will tell you just what the angel said to the Mary’s don’t be afraid. All he’s asking is for us to come to him. And with him we are able to find this sense of peace that whatever we are facing will be worked out because there is hope that Jesus will be with us along the way.

John 16:33 reminds us of this, Jesus says in verse 33, “33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” Jesus knows that we will face these difficult moments, were we feel fearful and maybe alone and without anyone who truly understands what we are going through. But he’s telling us today, don’t fear. He understands what we are facing and what we are going through. He’s saying have peace in me, don’t worry because he’s overcome all of that for us. He overcame the world through this incredible selfless act of dying on the cross for each one of us. And again all he’s asking from us is to accept that he’s the saviour of the world and to love and trust in him.

3. Joy (8-10)

The last emotion that we see experienced by Mary Magdalene and the other Mary in our passage this morning is one of joy.

We learn from the passage that the Mary’s were told by the angel to go to the disciples to tell them what they’ve been told. So the women ran quickly from the tomb. See that they ran to take the disciples this good news that they were just given. This news that they had wasn’t to be kept a minute by them. They had to run and to tell the disciples what had happened. Charles Spurgeon wrote, “Saints running in the way of obedience are likely to be met by Jesus. Some Christians travel to heaven so slowly that they are overtaken by follies or by faults, by slumber or by Satan; but he who is Christ’s running footman shall meet his Master while he is speeding on his way.” This for me is another encouragement to not delay. Jesus is calling each of us to a live with him and we should run to him.

As they were running to tell the others they were frightened but filled with joy!

While they were going to tell the disciples what they’ve seen they met Jesus and they seem to immediately recognize him and they fall to his feet and worship him, their Lord and King. This would have been Jesus in his resurrected body and not how they saw him the last time, having been bruised and beaten.

And Jesus shares with them again these important 3 words, “Don’t be afraid”. Jesus knew what they were feeling and went to work immediately to comfort them. And he sends them along the way to go and tell the disciples to wait for him in Galilee. In some translations Jesus’ words to them were rejoice. And that is a fitting sentiment for them as they see their saviour and Lord after having beaten death. Rejoicing would be the only response that would be fitting in this time. And they rightly fall to his feet and worship him.

That’s should be our response this morning, being on the other side of this 2000 years later. Knowing that Jesus has beaten the grave and is alive and with us we should be compelled to worship and rejoice that. Proclaiming the words of Charles Wesley in the famous hymn that I won’t sing he says, “Christ the Lord is risen today, Sons of men and angels say. Raise your joys and triumphs high; Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply.” That our king and Lord is not dead but alive. And not only is his alive but he’s at work, within each one of us. Philippians 4:4 reminds us when it says, “4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!”

This is why Easter is a day of celebration. That our King Jesus has beaten death, he’s defeated the grave and we can rejoice in that. That He’s done this in order for everyone who calls on his name can be saved and will be able to call him Saviour and Lord.

And you know what he’s inviting each one of us to do that. To call on the name of Jesus, to believe who he claimed to be, to believe in who he is our risen Lord and Saviour. Romans 10:9-10 says, “9 If you declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.” This is what Jesus wants from each of us this morning as we celebrate that he’s not dead but alive. He wants each one of us to declare that he is our Lord to be saved and to join into this fellowship with Jesus. And he says that when we do that we will be saved, there is no doubt.

CONCLUSION

As we close our time this morning I want to encourage you here today who are believers to remember that Jesus wants us to remember that he’s not dead but alive, within us. He’s working within us for his glory to be shown in this world. I want to encourage you to give your fears, worries to him to go to Jesus and hear the words “Don’t be afraid”. It says in 1 Peter 5:7, “7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”

And in doing that to get the peace and hope that Jesus gives, because he is with you. Working out your life for his good in this world. Even when things seem tough, he’s working things out. He’s asking for you to trust and believe in him. We may not see how it all works out. You know what the disciples didn’t know that their efforts would result in the church today. They didn’t know that the suffering that they faced in being obedient to Jesus would result in you and I being here today. They just knew that they needed to trust and believe.

If you are here for the first time and you are like this makes sense maybe for the first time. And if you want to trust and believe in Jesus all you need is to say a prayer asking Jesus into your life. It doesn’t have to be anything eloquent or long. Simply say to Jesus. I believe you that you died and rose for my sins. Jesus I ask you into my life. To be my Lord and Saviour. If you prayed that prayer. Praise God. Praise God. I would encourage you to tell someone if you prayed that today. Let us know. We’d love to rejoice with you.

Let’s rejoice that Jesus has defeated the grave for us. Christ is Risen.

Let’s Pray