Come and See, Go and Tell

Come and See, Go and Tell Matthew 28: 1 – 9 4/19/2022

Matthew 28:1–9 KJV 1900

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. 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. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 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. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.

Church, every Sunday is special. Sunday is the first day of the week, Christ rose on the first day of the week. Every Sunday begins a new week when Christ’s church gathers to worship a risen savior. This Sunday is extra special because it is the day the world takes to honor a risen Savior. As our text says the women went to the sepulcher early Sunday morning expecting to anoint a dead body. They witnessed the fake trial, they had witnessed the condemnation of Christ, they had witnessed the cruel crucifixion on the cross, they witnessed Jesus cry out “father forgive them for they know not what they do, they witnessed Christ die on the cross. They were going to the grave to visit a dead lifeless body but what they seen and heard was unfathomable. For thousand of years men have died and went into the grave but this was different. Let us look into the resurrection of Christ.

I. There is the invitation Come and see. What is there to see?

First there was an earthquake. Several days earlier Mathew 27:51. This was a great earthquake. The word “great” means mega. This was a big earthquake. All throughout history God has spoken through earthquakes. When Mosses was on mount Sinai God gave the law. This earthquake declared a new dispensation of grace.

Secondly this earthquake is a message of condemnation. The enemies of Christ tried with all their might to keep Christ in the tomb. Today we have mockers and scoffers that say Christ did not die on the cross. They mock, they scoff but the fact is Christ arose from the grave. One day this same Jesus that ascended into heaven will come in like manner and another earthquake will take place. Zec. 14: 4 -5 read.

Zechariah 14:4–5 KJV 1900

And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, Which is before Jerusalem on the east, And the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, And there shall be a very great valley; And half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, And half of it toward the south. And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; For the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: Yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake In the days of Uzziah king of Judah: And the Lord my God shall come, And all the saints with thee.

Man thinks they are so powerful but the Lord can send an earthquake to undo all that man does.

Not only an earthquake but and Angel, amen.

Angels are God’s heavenly hosts that do His will throughout the ages. There are several orders of angels that God created. We know that Lucifer created by God but through pride he fell and a third of the angels with him. Angels attended the birth of Christ, the baptism of Christ, during his temptation in the wilderness, angels were present at the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of Christ! Why did the angel roll away the stone? Not so Christ could get out, amen. But that the women could see that He was not inside. The stone was rolled away so that others could come and see. Can I ask you today, do you see the resurrected Christ? Do you believe?

Notice the angel’s position. He is sitting on top of the tomb because despite the power of death Christ is greater then death and the grave, amen.

Notice the angel’s appearance verse 3. His appearance speaks of how wonderful heaven is and holy holy heaven is. It is so holy that sin cannot be allowed to enter.

Third I want you to come and see the guards. It is not normal to have Roman soldiers guard a tomb. But the Lord wanted a record of this, so he had the Jews ask for a Roman watch. Matthew 27: 62 –67 read.

read Matthew 28: 11 – 16. Roman soldiers were not known to be cowards!!! Often soldiers were put to death in place of their prisoners. These courageous men melted and the angel of the Lord. But notice the women were told by the angel “fear not”. Another lesson on the saved and unsaved. These men were dauntless in the midst of the battle, but they trembled at a being who was not flesh and blood. Fear is a painful product of sin.

Matthew 28:11–16 KJV 1900

Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day. Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.

The invitation to come and see the empty tomb.

The followers of Christ had expected great things from Christ. They had placed their faith in him. All their hope was in Christ. They believed that he was the long-awaited Messiah that would come and overthrow the Romans and restore the nation to greatness again. Where did they get all of this information from? Jesus himself. He told them that he was the Son of God. He told them that he was the long-awaited Messiah. He told them that He would bring salvation to the world. He told them that he was the ruler of the kingdoms of the world. But now they are going to his grave to anoint him. All their hopes all their dreams all their desires shattered.

He told them that he would die and rise again the third day on several occasions.

John 10:18 read

John 10:18 KJV 1900

No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

Read Isa. 53: 4 – 7 Jesus came to this world to show us how to live. Who to put our faith in and what to do after we come to Christ….

Isaiah 53:4–7 KJV 1900

Surely he hath borne our griefs, And carried our sorrows: Yet we did esteem him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: The chastisement of our peace was upon him; And with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned every one to his own way; And the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, Yet he opened not his mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, So he openeth not his mouth.

II. There is the command Go and tell. Tell them what?

A. The gospel, the good news.

go and tell everyone.