He Is Risen Series

Today we are wrapping up the series titled “Were you there?”

In part 1 we took the journey that Jesus took from the Friday before Passover, all the way up to Passover.

Then, in part 2, we examined the events of the Crucifixion.

Today is Resurrection Sunday!!!

I’d like us to consider 3 things today.

5 meaningful events leading up to Jesus’ death and resurrection

The Empty Tomb

Prophesy that has been fulfilled, and prophesy yet to be fulfilled

BODY

5 meaningful events leading up to Jesus’ death and resurrection

His anointing @ Bethany

This anointing serves two purposes:

It demonstrates extravagant worship and devotion!

Webster definition of extravagant:

Exceeding what is reasonable or appropriate; absurd.

Absurd: wildly unreasonable, illogical

Isn’t God’s love for us wildly unreasonable, illogical?

Shouldn’t our worship and devotion be likewise?

It foretells Jesus’ death and burial.

He clears or cleanses the Temple

This action is His indictment of the temple system, and the corrupt religious leaders.

Jesus ushers in the New Covenant

He explains that His body will be given and blood poured out as a sacrifice for forgiveness of sin!

The agony in the Garden

Jesus asks the Father to take the cup from His hand, but only if it is His will.

The disciples fall asleep 3 times while Jesus prays!

Betrayal

This one hit me hard a couple of weeks ago. Just came out of nowhere.

Jesus’ was STILL calling Judas friend, even in the moment of betrayal.

Listen to His words to His disciples in John 15:15–16 “No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you...

He chose Judas, even knowing He would be betray Him.

One definition of betrayal is: to fail or desert someone.

He still calls me friend, even though I fail Him often, and fall short of His glory!

Last week, we examined the Crucifixion in some detail.

Today, it is Resurrection Sunday, and this is our most joyous celebration as followers of Jesus!

This is HIS story. This is THE story!

Just as with the previous two weeks, I recommend you not try to keep up with scripture, but rather follow the story.

In fact, I’m not even going to mention the addresses for the most part! I’m just weaving together this, from the 4 gospels.

When I endeavored to do this, I had no idea what it would be. It was:

Challenging

Eye-opening

Very rewarding

The Resurrection

“Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and the other Mary and (sa-low-mee)Salome went to the tomb early, and brought spices with which to go and anoint Him, while it was still dark. And suddenly there was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven came and rolled away the stone and sat on it. The guards are terrified and run away. (John 20:1 Matthew 28:1 Mark 16:1 Matthew 28:2-4)

“But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. And that the Son of Man would be crucified and rise on the third day. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”” (Matthew 28:5-7)

“And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” . Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.”” (Matthew 28:9-10)

“Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles. And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them.” (Luke 24:9-11)

Some of the guards inform the chief priests of the resurrection of Jesus. The soldiers are bribed to say Jesus’ disciples stole the body. (Matthew 28:11-15)

“Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead.” (John 20:3-9)