No Grave: Finding Jesus

Title: Finding Christ – No Grave Can Stop Him

Text: Mark 16:1 - 8

Mar 16:1-8 Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. (2) Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. (3) And they said among themselves, "Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?" (4) But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large. (5) And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. (6) But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. (7) But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you." (8) So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Introduction

Three women journey to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus. Jesus was crucified during Passover so the body was not prepared as usual. So the ladies show up at the tomb to finish the process.

These women were dedicated. We learn that, along with their mother and John, they had followed Jesus many years. Even through the trial that the religious leaders had put Him trough, even to the cross and the crucifixion.

They were there. They did not worry about what people thought. They stood by their masters side.

Who were theses women?

Mary the mother of James and Salmoe (Sa – moe) were mothers of some of the disciples who followed Jesus. Mary was the Mother of James and John. Salmoe was the mother of James the Less and Joesph (Joses) and the wife of Zebedee. I believe that they saw the difference that Jesus made in their sons. The difference Jesus made in their family. This drew them not to leave the side of Jesus. They saw first hand how Jesus makes the difference in the whole family.

Mary Magdalene is a little different.

Luke 8:2 and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons,

Mark 16:9 Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons.

We learn later on in this chapter that this is the Mary who had 7 demons when she encounters Jesus. In other words she was demonized. In other words she was fighting her demons.

I am not sure what they were but I can just imagine:

- Demon of addiction

- Demon of past hurt

- Demon of abuse

- Demon of self harm

- Demon of doubt

- Demon of insecurity

- Demon of self control

Basically what that means is she found herself at a place where she was out of control. She could not move forward. She did not like where she was but she had no way out. She wanted to change but she could not. That was until she met Jesus.

Luke 4:17 And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: (18) "THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE HAS ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR; HE HAS SENT ME TO HEAL THE BROKENHEARTED, TO PROCLAIM LIBERTY TO THE CAPTIVES AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET AT LIBERTY THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED; (19) TO PROCLAIM THE ACCEPTABLE YEAR OF THE LORD." 20 Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. (21)

And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."

At the Tomb

So they find themselves at the tomb of Jesus. To their surprise the stone had been removed. (Jesus still rolls away stones) and the tomb was empty.

Listen to the words of the angel:

"Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him.

Look here, look around. Jesus is not here. He has risen from the dead.

Luke “Why do you seek the living among the dead?”

Jesus was the first fruits of the resurrection. – 1 Corinthians 15