INTRODUCTION
It is redundant to say, “Easter Sunday.” Why? Because Easter is always on Sunday. Sunday has become the Christian Sabbath ever since Jesus arose from the dead on that first day of the week. He became the first fruits of the dead.(1 Corinthians 15:20) His resurrection has given us a new hope, a new beginning, a new life, a new covenant or New Testament—and we begin every new week by putting him first on the first day. The apostles did it and throughout history most Christians have worshipped on the first day of the week. It has become our Sabbath and we keep it holy by putting God first on that day. He is to be first every day, but Sunday is special.
Sunday is special because the Resurrected Christ is special. Take a look with me at seven of the persons, things and events of that first Easter resurrection morning that are described in Matthew 28:1-15. Let us look at them as they were then and then we will apply them to today.
I. SEEKERS
A. Then: At dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.”(v.1) They brought spices to embalm the body of the Jesus whom they loved. As they walked to the tomb they must have thought of the prophecies that on the third day Jesus would rise again. I wonder what was going through their minds. Did they really believe? Probably not…? Maybe…? I do not know…
B. Today: Millions of people who call themselves Christians go to church on the first day of every week. My questions are: Do they really believe that Jesus is alive and that he will one day pass judgment on them? Have they been putting him first during the week? In the book of Hebrews it is recorded: “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”(Hebrews 11:6)
Are you here today because you believe Jesus is who he and the Bible and other Christians have said he is? Is he first in your life?
II. EARTHQUAKE
A. Then: The two Marys felt and heard a violent earthquake. Surely those in that geographical region also witnessed the commotion of nature. Often in the Bible we see God using the forces of nature to get man’s attention and to signal something unique, or to settle a new covenant. Some examples are the rainbow, the quaking of Mount Sanai, the earthquake and darkness that took place while Christ hung on the cross. Now God got their attention as he was about to reveal that Jesus was alive. Later God got people’s attention on the Day of Pentecost when there was a violent wind, tongues of fire that rested on the believers and the use of the gift of languages. The church was started on that eventful day.
B. Today: The Bible reminds us that Jesus is coming again. It teaches us that just as in the days of Sodom and of Noah that there will also be certain events or things that we should look for as symbols that the time is near. It talks of signs and wonders in the sky. Earthquakes, wars and rumors of wars… Look at the wonder of TV. A satellite is able to beam the gospel message to most all of the areas of the world. Look at the cell phone technology, radio… We have all the signs we need to urge us to get ready—But we also have the words of the Jesus who arose on the first day—Promising that he would come back and that we are to be looking up. Are you looking? Are you ready if he should come today?
III. ANGEL
A. Then: “An angel of the Lord came down from heaven and…rolled back the stone and sat on it.”(v.2) The earthquake seems to have been created by the angel as he rolled back the stone. He certainly got the lady’s attention and he gave them the good news that Jesus was alive. Angels are messengers of God and they sure brought good news that morning.
B. Today: As I said, angels are messengers of God. It seems to me that not since the Renaissance has there been such an interest in angels in our world. Remember the protests when the TV show, “Touched By An Angel,” was rumored to be canceled because of an atheist’s complaint?(A hoax.) Finally it was cancelled because it had run its course--But even now it has become a popular rerun. Look at the angel greeting cards, angel books in the bookstores, gift items—Angels, not just watching over me—but Angels everywhere that I look. Sadly, some trust more in angels than they trust in Jesus. We may have guardian angels today—but everyone must realize that angels are not just cute creatures—But that they are also creatures that one day God will send to pour out his wrath in judgment upon non-believers.
IV. GUARDS
A. Then: Tough Roman soldiers had been posted at the tomb. Soldiers who were under strong discipline and rules. Their duty was to keep the body of Jesus in the tomb safe from those followers of Jesus who would steal it and then say that he had risen from the dead, as he had taught. They had the power and authority of mighty Rome behind them—And yet when they saw the angel and experienced the earthquake they, “were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.”(v.3) The stone had been rolled back from the tomb, not to let Jesus Christ out, but to show the people that the inside was empty.
B. Today: There are multitudes of people who fear Jesus. Down deep in their hearts they know that they are sinners. Many are afraid of the Judgment, but they choose to continue to sin. Many other non-Christians seem not to fear God. They blaspheme. With hard hearts they promote agendas or actions that go totally against Scripture—adultery, fornication, abortion, homosexuality, relativism, false ways to heaven… The guards had enough common sense to be afraid. The Bible tells the sinner that the wages of sin is death. What will it take to wake them up? Are you at peace with God? When the angel sent by God sounds the trumpet and Jesus Christ appears will you be taken up to live eternally with Jesus? The sinner should fear. The Christian has nothing to fear.
V. EMPTY TOMB
A. Then: The women, the guards, and later the disciples saw that the tomb was empty. Again, the stone was rolled away not to let Jesus out, but to show that he was no longer in the tomb. On that first resurrection day Jesus appeared to many. During the forty days that Jesus stayed on this earth until his ascension, he appeared to over five hundred people, some of the several times. People saw, people heard and people believed.
B. Today: The tomb is still empty. In fact, if you go to Jerusalem, there is much disagreement about which tomb is the real tomb. Jesus prophesied that on by the third day he would rebuild the temple, rise again, and he did!!! “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.”(1 Corinthians 15:17) Christianity is the only religion with an empty tomb. The fact of Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection is very well documented, and yet some refuse to believe. What about you?
VI. JOY AT AN ENCOUNTER WITH THE LIVING CHRIST
A. Then: The women were, “afraid yet filled with joy…”(v.8) As they, by faith, hurried to tell others that Jesus was alive, he appeared to them and they worshipped him.(v.9) Notice they did not see Jesus until they obeyed, by faith, the Angel/Messenger of God and hurried to do his will. You will never see the real Jesus in a personal relationship until you, as the two Marys did, begin to walk by faith. We know that as we walk by faith, “that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”(1 Corinthians 4:14-16) Notice how God blessed the early Christians and the millions of Christians who have followed by keeping his promises. Even in times of trial we can have joy, because we know the presence of His Holy Spirit. Because he lives, we live now and forever.
B. Today: How many people do you know who have heard the gospel message and have never acted on the A’s, B’s, C’s and D’s of Salvation? A = Admit you are a sinner. B = Believe that Jesus is the only Messiah who can save you. C = Confess him as Lord and confess your sins to him. D = Become a Disciple of Jesus. Friends, if you have not given your life to Jesus you are missing out on real joy and peace. Believe today and begin to really experience the joy of the Lord, Christian joy.
VII. FALSE RELIGIOUS LEADERS
A. Then: “The guards…reported to the chief priests everything that had happened.”(v.11) Even though the Scripture does not record it, I wonder if the guards had also seen the resurrected Jesus? Had they seen, and yet because of their lack of a personal relationship with Jesus, or their greed for money, or perhaps their fear of death for failing in their mission to keep Jesus in the tomb--dared to go along with the lies of the priests and report that Jesus’ body had been stolen? The priests concocted a lie and the soldiers were quick to repeat that lie to all who asked.
B. Today: I personally know religious leaders who do not believe the Bible to be the infallible Word of God. Because of their own unbelief, they willfully overlook certain parts of Holy Scripture, or they substitute another book or philosophy or way of salvation to replace Jesus, the Only Way. The whole purpose of the guards was to keep Jesus in the tomb. They failed and lied—But thank God that not too many years later the Roman Empire was declared a Christian empire—And thank God that down through the ages there have been Christians who believed, and still believe, the Bible to be the Holy Word of God. They believe and teach that it contains all the truth necessary to lead those who by faith believe to Jesus, to a new birth, and to an eternal heavenly home.
There are those false teachers who say that Jesus was a good man and great teacher, a unifying influence for good in society, a historical figure—But that he is and always has been dead. They buy into the myth created by the guards and priests that Jesus’ resurrection was a well-planned hoax—A hoax that has become a legend only to be brought out at Christmas and Easter and then put out of sight until the next holiday. They teach that the Bible is no longer valid for this modern society. We must, by our words and actions, be sure that as we teach others that Jesus, is the living, unchanging Truth, that we are displaying the true love of God. God will judge good or bad stewards by what we know and do or do not do…
This Easter there will be some pastors who will preach on their doubts and not preach with faith the gospel story that is true and must be believed as the only way to salvation. Jesus was either Messiah, Savior, Lord, God—Or he was a liar and a fool. The Bible warns us that in the last days there will be many antichrists influencing people to live lives of unbelief. God have mercy on their souls.
CONCLUSION
On that first resurrection morning there were Believers and there were Unbelievers. There were Disciples and there were Enemies. This Easter, churches will be filled with Believers and with Unbelievers. During these final two weeks of Lent, may we review the story of resurrection and may we believe. If we want to be saved, we must believe Jesus is Lord and obey his teachings. As we study the story of that first resurrection morning, may we see our sin and helplessness, and may we by faith and like the Philippian Jailer, who after seeing the miracle of Paul’s and Silas’ release from prison asked: “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”(Acts 16:30) Then may we do what Paul and Silas told that jailer to do: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”(Acts 16:31) Believe the on the Christ of eternity and be saved today.
(NIV Bible Quotes)
(Ron Keller 3/28/04)
