Sermon for Easter Sunday 2007
Sermon for Easter Sunday 2007*
Trinity/Watertown and Zion/Hidewood
This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it! Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given us new birth into a living hope through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade, kept in heaven for you.
Matthew 28:1-7 (NKJV)
1 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men. 5 But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who 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 indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”
In the Name of Jesus Christ,
Son of God, Ruler of Angels,
Who lives again our King –
They are not a talkative lot; at least, very few of their words are recorded in Holy Scripture. In our midweek meditations during the Lenten Season the angels we have considered have been for the most part – silent. They often play their roles in silence. This shouldn’t surprise us, for, after all, they are servants of the King. The Seraphim who guarded the entrance to Eden after the fall, were silent. The Angels climbing the ladder in Jacob’s dream silently went about their duties. If the angels who ministered to Jesus after His Temptation said anything to Him, it is not recorded. When the Holy Angels return with the Lord Jesus on the Last Day, we will expect to hear the voice of an archangel, but little more. The angels speak so infrequently in Scripture, that when we come across their words, we take notice.
In Isaiah’s Vision they praised God and the room shook, when they said: “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Hosts!” When the Father sent His Son into the human race at Bethlehem, an angel announced the blessed event and the Host of Heaven broke forth in praise of God’s mercy.
This morning we have a rare opportunity, to listen to the words of an angel – at least to the words given him to speak. This angel is alone, but he still gets our undivided attention. We meet him at Joseph’s Tomb, where Jesus body was laid to rest. We are not the only ones present to hear these words, but the others are in no shape to listen – the soldiers are catatonic, they have become like dead men from the sight of this Angel.
He sits upon the large stone that Joseph used to seal the tomb. His face is like lightning and his clothing as bright as snow.
This angel has a message for us all. Listen, for in his words are life and hope.
“Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.
If we had been there that first Easter morning and had experienced the earthquake, and watched the angel toss aside the stone and sit upon it. If we had been there to find his face brighter than the rising Sun, then we too would need to be told: “Do not be afraid. Stop being afraid.” It may seem we ought to be afraid, but there is no reason here for fear. We have nothing to fear from the Angel. He is not come to judge us, but to bring us news.
We have nothing to fear from the grave…not Joseph’s and not any other. Christ’s Tomb is open and empty; it proves that death has no grip on Him. It proves that death will have no grip on us when He calls us forth from our resting places.
The angel knew what the women were looking for – for Jesus dead cold body. He confirmed that their worst fears were true – Jesus had been crucified. It wasn’t all a bad dream. But the Angel at Joseph’s Tomb isn’t here to tell us what we already know. The women knew Jesus had been crucified. They were on hand when He was laid to rest just days before. What they didn’t know (but should have) the angel revealed:
He is not here;
Listen to the simple, yet powerful words of God’s messenger. Jesus is not here. There is no further need of embalming spices. There is no need of a gravestone or plaque commemorating his death, because Jesus is no longer in the grave. He’s no longer among the dead --
for He is risen, as He said.
Jesus has been awakened from death, as he said, as He promised. When still walking, living and moving among them He promised them that He would rise again from the dead the third day. They had not grasped it or had forgotten.
But…Jesus, a dead man…alive? How can it be? Dear Friends, this proves that He was more than a man. It proves that Jesus’ sacrifice was accepted. The father received the full payment of His beloved Son and was well pleased in it. He has as a result written off our sins, pardoned them, because payment rendered was more than enough. He was raised to confirm that we stand righteous before God by faith, and are and shall be declared ‘not guilty’ at the last!
Does it seem too good to be true? We are the doubting kind, especially when something so ‘unbelievable’ happens. It was as if the angel knew we would doubt, as if he knew our frailty, so He invited them and us:
Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
This angel is like a loving friend. He wants us to be sure, so he invites us to come closer, to peer into the tomb. Look for yourselves; see the place where the Lord was laid. The women knew where to look; they saw the sad package that Joseph and Nicodemus laid to rest. They looked. They saw…nothing but grave clothes.
We also look through the clear and reliable window that is God’s Word. We see by faith that the tomb is empty. Jesus’ body isn’t there anymore…because what the angel said is true: He is risen, as He said.
He is risen, and now we know that when He promises us Life after death, He can deliver. He is risen, and now we have no doubt that He is the Son of God. He is risen and now we seek other of His precious promises and apply them to our pains, our bruises, our fears. He is risen, we are forgiven.
And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him.
The Angel told the women in effect: now that you have seen that He’s gone, don’t linger here – this is an empty tomb. There is nothing here for you to see…move along. What you have here learned is not fit for the dead, but for the ears of the living. GO! Go tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead and that he is going before you into Galilee. There you will see Him.
What you have learned here today is not to be kept up here behind closed doors. This message – Christ crucified for sinners and raised for sinners is the key that opens the door to heaven. What you have been given isn’t just knowledge, it is life and hope.
Behold, I have told you.”
The Angel brought His message. He delivered the good news. He returned to heaven. He’ll return one day with the Same Lord Jesus, to gather all those who have believed the message.
He has told us, and now we have work to do. We have something to tell, and the Angel has given us a good start. See for yourselves. Go, tell them that He has been raised from the dead.
Wait. Before you go, Jesus has something for you. He has spread the table and set His supper before you. He would give to you of His own body and blood to confirm that your sins are forgiven. He, through this meal, would strengthen your faith in Him and unloose your tongue to speak of His Resurrection.
Almost a year later, the same religious leaders threw the Apostles in prison because they kept talking about Jesus’ Resurrection. God sent one of His often silent messengers to open the doors of the prison. He brought but a few words to them and to us.
“Go, (stand in the temple) and speak to the people
- all the words of this life.”*
May God embolden us to do so…as now as ever…
- *
Our hopes rest – upon the fact of the Resurrection. Listen to the angel at Joseph’s Tomb. Don’t be afraid. Jesus was crucified. Jesus isn’t dead anymore, but has been raised. He is going before us to prepare a place in heaven. Then, when the time is right we will follow, we will also see Him. Neither the grave or death can stop Him.
Hallelujah!
Amen.