Behind the Rock
Matthew 27:57-66 Easter Series
Message #5 Pastor Jerry Stepp
Adam Clark Commentary;
But who can reflect on the state of the poor disciples, during the whole of the time in which our blessed Lord lay under the empire of death, without sharing their sorrows! When he expired on the cross their expectation was cut off; and when his body was laid in the grave their hopes were buried; and nothing but the resurrection of Christ from the dead could have given a resurrection to their hopes.
The more the circumstances of the death of Christ are examined, the more astonishing the whole will appear. The death is uncommon-the person uncommon-and the object uncommon; and the whole is grand, majestic, and awful. Nature itself is thrown into unusual action, and by means and causes wholly supernatural. In every part, the finger of God most evidently appears.
On the Stone of the Doorway would be noted who was inside; and there impact to life.
Can we think for a minute what the inscription would be for Jesus?
Here Lies; The Man from heaven; The Mighty God
The Only Begotten Son of God;
The Healer of mankind; The Messiah
The Healer of all nations The Mighty One
The Promise Seed; The Lamb of God
The Stone that the Builders Rejected;
The Living, Breathing Word of God;
The Great I Am; The Door
The Holy One of God; The Deliver
Emmanuel, God with us; The First and the Last
The Fullness of the godhead; The Fore Runner
The Alpha and the Omega; The Good Shepherd
OH I WISH I HAD SOME WORDS TO DISCRIBE HIM WITH
The Son of Abraham; The Holy One
The Son of Mary; The Holy Child
The Son of Man; The Heir of all things
The Only Sinless one; The Head of the Church
The High Priest; The Horn of Salvation
The King of the Ages The King of the Jews
The King of Saints The King of Kings
Here Lies The Redeemer The Root of David
The Prince of Peace The Elect of God
The Sweet Rose of Sharon The Advocate for mankind
The Bread of Life The Chief Corner Stone
Our Passover The Faithful Witness
The Everlasting Father The Savior of Mankind
My friend I ask you today, what is Jesus to you?
#1 There is Help in the Rock
A. When the children of Israel needed water, the Rock provided. Num. 20:1-13
B. When Moses needed a place to hide, the Rock provided. Ex. 33:22
#2 There is Hope in the Rock
A. With hope we anticipates Christ’s Coming;
Titus 2:13 says Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
B. That if I go away I will come again.
John 14:1-3says Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
#3 There is Heaven in the Rock
A. It is our source of real joy
Luke 10:20 says Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
B. And my name is written there
Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life
If we can for a few minutes today I would like to look into the tomb of Jesus and see who and or what is “Behind the Rock”
#1.There is a person “Behind the Rock”
>The Prophets themselves prophesied of Him going to the tomb.
>Jesus, Himself prophesied of it happening.
>Those that gathered that day witnessed Him being put inside the tomb.
>The guards stood watch that He was there.
Luke 23:50-56 states that Jesus was put in the tomb by Joseph himself. READ
**there is no doubt that Jesus was in the tomb, “Behind the Rock”**
#2 There is Power “Behind the Rock”
> Jesus Himself said, if you destroy this temple, in three (3) I will raise it up again.
>While in the tomb Jesus was conquering death, hell, and the grave.
>While in the tomb Jesus was setting the captives free.
>His power is life giving;
John 17:2 says As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
>He has power over His own Life;
John 10:18 says No 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.
Spurgeon said;
Thus, unwittingly, helping to secure testimony for the resurrection such as none could gainsay. It was now impossible for his body to be stolen, and if he came forth it must be by supernatural power. Oh, blind Jews, thus to ensure their own confusion! Blinder yet are they who believe that Jesus rose, and yet do not put their trust in him.
#3 There is a Promise “Behind the Rock”
>God’s Promises are unfailing
I Kings 8:56 says Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant.
>These promises are of an infinite value
II Peter 1:4 says Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
>Deliverance is coming.
Psalm 34:19 says Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
>Brighter days we coming.
Psalm 30:5 says For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
>Victory is ours.
Revelation 3:21 says To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
Matthew 16:21 says From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
Matthew 26:32 says But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.
>Confirmed in all four (4) Gospels
Matthew 28:2-7 Mark16:1-5 Luke 24:1-2 John 20:1
Early in the Morning
Closing;
I ask that we just not walk up to the tomb of Jesus and weep of His death, But rather rejoice to know that He is alive and well
