The First Day of the Rest of Your Life
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· 7 viewsEverything changed because of the Resurrection
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Introduction
Introduction
Why is the bodily resurrection of Jesus so important?
1 Corinthians 15:13-15 states why: 1 Corinthians 15:13–15 (ESV) But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised.
1 Corinthians 15:6 (ESV) Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.
This was not a hoax but really happened! The bodily resurrection is imperative. Why? Mere intellectual evidence will not change anyone. We must meet Jesus personally.
Let’s look at our text today...
Let’s look at our text today...
Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, it was still dark. Reminds me of the “In the beginning, darkness covered the earth....” It was dark because of Jesus’ death. His followers thought all was lost.
When Mary got the tomb, the stone was rolled away and the tomb was empty.
Mary then ran to tell Simon Peter and John that someone had taken the Lord’s body and she didn’t know where His body was. So Simon and John ran immediately to the tomb. John stooped down and looked in and what did he see? The linen cloths were left behind and the face cloth was folded nicely and not with the linen cloths but in a place by itself. (Story of face cloth or napkin).
Simon and John went back home. Wow!
Mary lingered and what happened? She met Jesus! How many times do we run off or jump into something, rather than wait on the Lord? I got to do it now.
Next, Mary stooped down to look inside the tomb. What does she see? Two angels sitting where the body of Jesus lain. Notice where the angels were. One at the head and one at the feet. Is that significant? Not if you don’t have your eyes open and your ears ready to listen. What does this remind you of? The mercy seat on the Ark of the Covenant with them bowed and their wings overarching. What’s the implication? The risen Christ Jesus is now our mercy seat in heaven! Whohoo!
The angels then asked Mary why are you weeping? She responded to the angels that someone has taken the body of Jesus and I don’t know where they have taken Him. This reminds me of the Song of Solomon 3:3 where the woman asks: “Have you seen the one I love?” After saying this, Mary turned around and saw Jesus, even-though she didn’t recognize Him as yet. Then when Jesus asks Mary, “Why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Mary thought this guy was the gardener and asked him where he had taken the body of Jesus and she would I’ll go get Him. Then, Jesus calls Mary by name! Then! Mary recognizes Jesus and calls Him Rabboni or Teacher. Why is this important? Jesus calls His own by name and they know His voice!
Jesus told her to not cling to Him. Something had changed. There was a shift in the universe. This would be the first day of Jesus’, Mary’s, and the world’s, of the rest of their lives. I believe that Jesus was letting Mary in on the fact that He would physically ascend back into heaven later. It would be 40 days later.
Jesus tells Mary to go and tell “my brothers and say to them.” Why is this significant? Here is a sequence of relationship. Huh? The followers were first servants, then disciples before His death. Before His death they were friends and after the resurrection they are His brethren. What a change in relationship and what mercy, without measure.
The results of the Jesus encounter.
The results of the Jesus encounter.
The disciples would meet Jesus personally and come to believe on the testimony of Scripture. There are three proofs that we can rest upon when it comes to spiritual matters.
1. The evidence God gives in His world.
2. The Written Word of God.
3. Personal experience.
How can we know that Jesus is real? We can see the evidence or fruit in the lives of others, read the Bible, and if a person trusts in Christ Jesus he or she will experience it personally.
“Being saved and seeing Jesus are not the same thing. Many people who have never seen Jesus have received and share in God’s grace. But once you have seen Him, you can never be the same. Other things will not have the appeal they did before. Jesus must appear to you and to your friend individually; no one can see Jesus with your eyes. And division takes place when one has seen Him and the other has not. You cannot bring your friend to the point of seeing; God must do it. Have you seen Jesus? If so, you will want others to see Him too. “And they went and told it to the rest, but they did not believe them either” (Mark 16:13). When you see Him, you must tell, even if they don’t believe.” (Oswald Chambers-MUFHH April 9).
Have we seen the Lord? Today can be the first day of the rest of your life if we believe and receive. Or we can doubt and do without. Our choice but monumental consequences. Everything has changed because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Where are you today?