Easter 2006

A story is told in which an accountant answered an advertisement for a top job with a large firm. At the end of the interview, the chairman asked, “One last question—what is three times seven?”

The accountant thought for a moment and replied, “Twenty-two.” Outside he checked himself on his calculator and concluded he had lost the job. But two weeks later he was offered the post. He asked the chairman why he had been appointed when he had given the wrong answer. “You were the closest,” the chairman replied. Some people have the mistaken idea that God is like the man who conducted the interview. They think it doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you’re close to the truth.

There are several therioes regarding whether the Lord arose or not and even now there is the theory of Judas who betrayed Jesus, it is said Jesus made a deal with him to betray him so God’s plan would be fulfilled. The Bible reads of Judas’s betrayal and that Christ arose.

Mr 16:1 And when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.

Mr 16:2 And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulcher at the rising of the sun.

Mr 16:3 And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulcher?

Mr 16:4 And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.

Mr 16:5 And entering into the sepulcher, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.

Mr 16:6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.

Mr 16:7 But 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.

Mr 16:8 And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulcher; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.

1. They had not PROPERLY understood vs. 1-3

2. They were PUZZLED by the empty tomb vs. 4-6

3. They were to PROCLAIM the new vs. 6

4. The empty tomb PROVES a Risen Savior vs. 6

Mary Magdalene was from the city Magdala in Galilee. From the time she first met Jesus she was a true follower of Him. Why? Because her life had been changed, she was a new person. In Lu 8:2 And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,

Joh 19:25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.

1. They had not PROPERLY understood vs. 1-3

a. A very zealous soul-winning young preacher recently came upon a farmer working in his field. Being concerned about the farmer’s soul the preacher asked the man, “Are you labouring in the vineyard of the Lord my good man?”

Not even looking at the preacher and continuing his work the farmer replied, “Naw, these are soybeans.”

“You don’t understand,” said the preacher. “Are you a Christian?”

With the same amount of interest as his previous answer the farmer said, “Nope my name is Jones. You must be looking for Jim Christian. He lives a mile south of here.”

The young determined preacher tried again asking the farmer, “Are you lost?”

“Naw! I’ve lived here all my life,” answered the farmer.

“Are you prepared for the resurrection?” the frustrated preacher asked.

This caught the farmer’s attention and he asked, “When’s it gonna be?”

Thinking he had accomplished something the young preacher replied, “It could be today, tomorrow, or the next day.”

Taking a handkerchief from his back pocket and wiping his brow, the farmer remarked, “Well, don’t mention it to my wife. She don’t get out much and she’ll wanna go all three days.” Communication is important, and understanding what others are saying.

b. The Mary’s had not totally understood what Jesus had told them.

c. They had not understood about Jesus being resurrected and would be gone.

d. Vs. 1…had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.

e. ACC And anoint him. Rather, to embalm him. This is a proof that they had not properly understood what Christ had so frequently spoken, that he would rise again the third day. And this inattention or unbelief of theirs is a proof of the truth of the resurrection.