Jesus Was Dead And Now He Lives
Scripture: Matthew 28:1-15
I. Introduction
A. One man commented, I was a little taken aback when I got my receipt from the funeral parlor for my father’s funeral, on the bottom of the receipt, after the bill, it read, “Thank you. Please come again.”
B. Journey was watching me yesterday as I wrote the sermon for today’s Easter service. She asked me “Poppy how do you know what to say?” I told her “Well, God gives me the words,” and as quick as a whip she replied. 'Oh O.K., why then do you keep crossing stuff out?
1. Turn to Matthew 28:1 - 10
C. Last week we saw several times definitive proof that Jesus was dead.
1. The Roman soldiers, who were sent to break the legs of those on the crosses saw that Jesus was already dead
2. Pilate, when Joseph of Arimathea petitioned for Jesus body, sent and asked the centurion whether Jesus had been dead for some time. Matt. 27:58
a. The centurion confirmed Jesus death. Matt. 27:54
3. All four gospel writers stated that Jesus was dead.
4. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 15:3 testifies that Jesus died and why He died
1 Corinthians 15:3 3For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;,
a. Be assured Jesus was dead
D. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus prepared Jesus’ body and they placed Him in Joseph’s own tomb…He was dead!
1. The Jews set a guard over the tomb, sealing the stone covering the opening to the tomb… He was dead!
a. Jesus was dead!
(1) Attested to by the Roman centurion
(2) His death was evidenced by the fact that the soldiers that went to break His legs didn’t have to, why? Because Jesus was dead!
(3) Also think about the spear that was thrust into Jesus side…it allowed blood and water to flow out.
a. The spear probably punctured the myocardial sac, and the heart which allowed blood and water to flow from the wound.
b. Jesus was dead!
1. Turn to Matthew 28:1 - 10 and let’s look at the resurrection.
II. Body
A. Jesus resurrection, the angel
Matthew 28:1-3 1In 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. 2And, 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. 3His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
1. Why was an angel or angels sent to the tomb at this time?
a. The angels were there at several times during Jesus’ life
(1) In Matthew 4:11 At the temptation in the wilderness
Matthew 4:11 11Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
(2) In Luke 22:43 an angel came to Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane
Luke 22:43 43And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
(3) Angels were there at His birth
(4) And we don’t know how many other occasions involved ministering angels. (a) Lets turn to John 10:17-18
b. Jesus said that He had the power to lay down His life and Take it up again
John 10:17-18 “1Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18No 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."
c. Jesus had to die and be resurrected again to conquer death
(1) By conquering death we are free of the sting of death
d. Now at this occasion, it was appropriate that an angel or angels be involved in this momentous occurrence
(1) Angel means messenger
(2) The angel or angels were sent to announce to Christ’s servants His resurrection
(b) And what was the purpose of the great earthquake?
a. Evidently the earthquake was furnished by God to move the stone which blocked the entrance to the tomb, or should I say the exit from the tomb
(a) Well, it would have allowed the women to enter and see that Jesus was no longer there, and, I don’t know, to allow Jesus to exit, but it seems He could walk through walls
i) Well lets go on in Matthew 28:4 - 7
B. The announcement
Matthew 28:4-7 4And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. 5And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. 6He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7And 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."
1. The shaking keepers here are big, strong, viral, Roman soldiers
a. Shook with fright, and they passed out
b. These were possibly the world’s mightiest soldiers at that time and probably the most fearless of any time.
(1) And yet, they shook in their boots with fear, and fainted.
2. Then the angel delivered his message
a. And the very first thing he said was, “don’t be afraid”
(1) There are many places in Scripture where angels are involved, and the very first words they spoke was something like this…“don’t be afraid”
b. “Don’t be afraid, I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified”
(1) That too is an admission that Jesus had been dead!
(a) To be crucified was to be dead
(b) The Romans never allowed anyone nailed to a cross to be taken down from the cross alive.
i) This was one of the reasons Pilate was surprised when Joseph asked for Jesus’ body when he did
ii) Jesus had only hung on the cross about 6 hours before He died.
c. Jesus had been crucified, He was dead!
(1) He lay in the tomb for three days
(a) Part of Friday
(b) All Day Saturday
(c) And part of Sunday
(d) And on that Sunday morning we meet some women
d. When I was in charge of a maintenance shop, in the Seabee’s, I opened the shop in the morning and locked it up in the evening
1. I was the first in the morning and the last out at night
a. And so it was with these women, they were last at the cross, and first at the grave.
b. Even though they thought Jesus dead, they still came to minister to Him
i) Even though Joseph and Nicodemus had anointed Jesus’ body with a hundred pounds of myrrh and aloes, They had more to add to the preparation
c. To prepare His body for burial
i) Myrrh and aloes were not cheap
ii) Just how much the women had bought and prepared, we don’t know, but it had to be expensive
d. It must have been a shock to see the angel and hear his message, “He is not here; for He is risen, as He said”
i) Turn back to Matthew 28:7
2. Then there was the invitation to enter the tomb and witness this extraordinary fact, the body of Jesus was not there
Matthew 28:7 “7And 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."
a. Now turn to Mark 16:7
b. Here in Mark, the message to the women is the same as in Matthew, but one thing is added
Mark 16:7 "7But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you."
3. The angel emphasized that Peter should be told
a. Turn to Luke 22:31-32
b. Jesus said to Simon Peter, that even though Peter would deny Jesus, he would return to Jesus in faith
Luke 22:31-32 “31And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren."
B. The Lord wanted Peter to know that he was forgiven
1. Tell His disciples and Peter
a. Turn to Matthew 28:8 - 10
C. The women meet Jesus
Matthew 28:8-10 “8And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. 9And 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. 10Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me."
1. The women’s reaction was to do as they were told by the angel
a. They turned to go
b. They were afraid and yet full of joy
c. I could not even begin to understand how they felt
1. Fear and joy
2. I have always been taught that joy and happiness are two different things
3. But, how would joy, in this instance, be manifested
4. And mingled with fear
5. Needless to say, these were probably conflicting emotions
6. But, their intention was to tell the disciples and Peter what they had learned
D. Then these women ran into Jesus
1. And Jesus first word to them was, “rejoice”
2. And their reaction was to worship Him
3. It says they held Him by His feet…a very humble position indeed
a. In the Matthew passage, it says they held Him by His feet but in John 20:16-17, Jesus tells Mary Magdalene not to touch Him.
John 20:16-17 16Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. 17Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God."
b. In Matthew Jesus is worshiped as the women hold onto His feet
c. What is different here in John is that Mary would have done the same thing but Jesus warns her not to…
1. It is not the act of touching Him but its the motive for touching Him
2. Mary would have held Him, to keep Him close to her
3. The Matthew occasion was worship, but not keeping Him close by
Now back to Matthew 28:10
Matthew 28:10 10Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me."
E. The next thing Jesus said to the women was, “Don’t be afraid”
1. Apparently this was quite an experience for these devout women
2. First, the angel, then the open empty tomb, then the words of the angel, then running into Jesus Himself and His instructions.
3. Then Jesus reiterated the instruction to tell the disciples the good news, “Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me”
F. There are other things which take place
1. But Matthew breaks and describes the conspiracy by the Jewish leadership and the Roman guards
a. Let’s turn to Matthew 28:11 - 15
III. The conspiracy
Matthew 28:11-15 11Now 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. 12And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, 13Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. 14And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. 15So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
A. Imagine the guards anxiety
1. They were Roman guards
a. Under normal circumstances, if they had fallen asleep on duty, they were summarily executed
b. But, the Jews knew the problem and promised to intercede for the soldiers with Pilate
2. Just how just boggles my mind
a. If they admitted to being asleep, they deserved to be executed
b. But according to Matthew, the guards were not asleep and if they were not asleep, the disciples would not have been able to steal Jesus’ body
c. The soldiers must have been given a great deal of money to lie and stick their head in a noose, hoping the Jews would be able to convince Pilate not to execute the soldiers
d. But, the soldiers took the money and spread the lie as they were bribed to do
3. But we have a great crowd of witnesses that testified of Jesus resurrection
a. Aren’t we glad
b. My faith has found its resting place, in Christ the ever living One
