Mark Sermon Manu Week 32 - The Resurrection

Intro/Welcome

Expect the Unexpected

Why are you here? / What brought you here today?

Let me ask you, why did you come here today?

To be with family?

Did you respond to an invitation?

You felt guilty?

Your reasons for coming might not match God’s reasons.

God often brings the unexpected into our life.

Pray

Isaiah 61:1–4 (Tanakh)

1 The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the Lord has anointed me; He has sent me as a herald of joy to the humble, To bind up the wounded of heart, To proclaim release to the captives, Liberation to the imprisoned; 2 To proclaim a year of the Lord’s favor And a day of vindication by our God; To comfort all who mourn— 3 To provide for the mourners in Zion— To give them a turban instead of ashes, The festive ointment instead of mourning, A garment of splendor instead of a drooping spirit. They shall be called terebinths of victory, Planted by the Lord for His glory. 4 And they shall build the ancient ruins, Raise up the desolations of old, And renew the ruined cities, The desolations of many ages.

The Empty Tomb

Mark 16:1–4 (CSB)

1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they could go and anoint him.

2 Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they went to the tomb at sunrise. 3 They were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone from the entrance to the tomb for us?”

4 Looking up, they noticed that the stone—which was very large—had been rolled away.

The Jews did not embalm, and the use of spices was not to prevent decomposition but to offset its stench.

The desire to anoint the body certainly indicates that the woman did not expect a resurrection.

Who rolled stone away form the tomb? — An Angel of the Lord

Matthew 28:2–4 CSB

2 There was a violent earthquake, because an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and approached the tomb. He rolled back the stone and was sitting on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. 4 The guards were so shaken by fear of him that they became like dead men.

Peter

Luke 24:10–12 (CSB)

10 Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them were telling the apostles these things.

11 But these words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believe the women.

12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb.

When he stooped to look in, he saw only the linen cloths. So he went away, amazed at what had happened.

The Centurion

Mark 15:39 (CSB)

39 When the centurion, who was standing opposite him, saw the way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”

Centurion

Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible (Centurion)

Centurion. Commander of 100 men in the Roman army. There were generally 6 centurions in each cohort and 10 cohorts in a legion. Each legion had 6 tribunes to whom its centurions were subordinate. In Acts 22:26, for example, a centurion appealed to his tribune for a decision concerning the apostle Paul. A centurion’s authority was actually quite extensive because he was the working officer who had direct contact with the men. He went to the field with them and made spontaneous decisions according to each situation.

The office of centurion was normally the highest one within reach of the ordinary soldier. Centurions often rose from the ranks because of their experience and knowledge. After one became a centurion, further promotion could come by transfer to positions of increasing V 1, p 422 p 422 responsibility, the highest being senior centurion over the first of 10 cohorts in a legion. Thus a centurion might move about extensively throughout the Roman empire.A centurion had many duties besides maintaining discipline among the ranks. He had to oversee executions for capital offenses (Mt 27:54; Mk 15:39, 44, 45; Lk 23:47). He was responsible for his troops at all times, whether they were Roman citizens or recruited mercenary soldiers. The position of centurion was prestigious and high paying; those who reached that rank usually made a career of it.

What He saw?

When he saw the way Jesus died.

Some manu. ‘how he cried out’

A centurion would have seen many people die

but never had he seen someone die like Jesus.

The ESV Study Bible (Chapter 23)

What he saw includes: Jesus’ behavior toward his enemies (v. 34), the words spoken to the repentant criminal (v. 43), the supernatural darkness (v. 44), Jesus’ prayer to God (v. 46), and his giving up his life (v. 46).

How Jesus Died:

He heard Jesus cry out Luke 23:34 “34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.” as he was being crucified.

HIs words from the Cross:

John 19:26–27 CSB

26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple he loved standing there, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.

John 19:30 CSB

30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then bowing his head, he gave up his spirit.

Mark 15:34 CSB

34 And at three Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lemá sabachtháni?” which is translated, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”

Changed Life

This Centurion came to work that day, just like any other day.

He did his duty, he was a man of honor

probably had a pretty hardened and numb heart towards death and violence

But the way Jesus died converted him.

so much so that a few verses later he was likely the same centurion who advocated for Jesus body being dead for Joseph of Arimathea.

This centurion, the very enemies of Israel, the very people that performed his execution

he comes to faith in Christ.

His life is radically changed.

What would it cost a centurion to come to faith?

Joseph of Arimathea

He was a good and righteous man (Luke 23:50)

A prominent member of the Sanhedrin (Luke 23:50, Mark 15:43)

He had not agreed with the Religious Leader’s plan and action (Luke 23:51)

He was looking forward to the Kingdom of God (Luke 23:51, Mark 15:43).

He was a rich man (Matt 27:57)

He was a disciple of Jesus (Matt 27:57)

A friend of Nicodemus (John 19:39)

Spice

That amount would be roughly the equivalent of sixty-five pounds of spice.

It was truly an immense amount of spice. Indeed, it was enough spice to bury a king royally.

They go to Pilate and risk their reputation, their position by identifying as sympathizers of Jesus

as disciples of JEsus.

These are men of high reputation, climbing the corporate latter

they have various degrees

They have a lot to lose by following Jesus.

Yet they do.

Their lives were radically changed by Jesus.

How about you?

The Thief on the Cross

Talk about being at your lowest point

Suffering the righteous punishment for his crime

Luke 23:39–43 (CSB)

39 Then one of the criminals hanging there began to yell insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other answered, rebuking him: “Don’t you even fear God, since you are undergoing the same punishment? 41 We are punished justly, because we’re getting back what we deserve for the things we did, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Indicating it is never too late

You could be hours from death

Committed heinous crimes

and Jesus can still change your life.