A recent article reported the top ten human fears. Here they are in order: Public speaking, heights, insects, financial problems, sickness, deep water, death, flying, driving and elevators. The conclusion that is so easy to draw is that human beings are very fearful. As we open the pages of Matthew we see in this particular passage fear dominates nearly all the actions. The people are so gripped with fear that nothing short of divine intervention will be able to overcome it. Frightened men crucified Jesus, frightened men desired to make sure He stayed dead. Frightened men hide fearing the consequences of their association with Jesus. As we explore this passage it can be concluded that the resurrection has the ability to take away fear. Today, as we pause to study God’s word, it is my hope that you will discover that new life sweeps away fear.
I. The resurrection tells us that man should no longer fear the tomb.
A. Without man’s nearly universal fear of death, there would have been no cross for Jesus.
1. In the mind of man the worst possible punishment is to have your life forcibly taken away.
2. This fear was revealed in ancient literature such as the Sumerian epic of Gilgamesh. In this epic the hero is on a quest to find a means to break death’s power over him.
3. Jesus’ enemies were afraid to die so they were certain that He shared that same fear but they would discover that they were wrong.
4. Jesus realized that He had nothing to fear because He knew that God is the Lord of life and death.
5. The ancient Greek gods were not always admirable; in fact they were very human in their loves and lusts. But they were immortal and to the Greeks that was sufficient for divinity.
B. Today we scoff at these primitive myths but despite all our sophistication, we still have great difficulty facing death.
1. We prefer to say someone has passed on or gone on to their reward then say that they died.
2. We find it easier to discuss sex and politics then talk about death.
3. Corpses are treated to the finest cosmetic facials so that they will appear more lifelike.
4. The fear of the grave hangs over humanity like a dark cloud but Jesus’ resurrection reminds us of God’s promise that we no longer have to be afraid of death.
C. Jesus’ enemies may have feared death but they were more afraid of Him coming back to life again.
1. The religious leaders wanted Jesus to stay buried so His promises would not once again stir hope. They wanted the whole Jesus movement to stay buried in the tomb.
2. The authorities’ behavior is not unlike that of some religious people today, whether conservative or liberal, who insist on being viewed as right even when they are wrong.
3. The securing of the tomb would have involved the application to the stone of some kind of substance, perhaps a soft clay, impressed with the Roman imperial stamp. The seal would then be attached to the stone with a large rope or cord. The presence of the soldiers themselves would have been the greater deterrent to a posse trying to roll away the rock and steal the body, but the seal would have been more permanent and made grave robbing an illegal, punishable offense.
4. Even a sealed tomb, with guards on duty, cannot hold a person that God wants out of it.
II. The resurrection tells us that man should not fear a message from God.
A. Although the Gospel narratives differ in their depiction of the details surrounding Jesus’ resurrection,they are all agreed that early Sunday morning a group of women came to Jesus’ tomb and discovered that it was empty.
1. The women headed to the tomb to finish the burial preparations of Jesus’ body. Mark records that they were discussing how to move the stone that sealed the entrance to the tomb.
2. When they arrive at the tomb an angel of the Lord is sitting on the stone.
3. The large stone earlier sealed by human authorities is now rolled back and the angel sat on it, thus symbolizing the triumph of God’s power over the futile efforts of the Jewish leaders.
4. The young man’s appearance and garb are appropriately angelic: brilliant, glorious, and pure. The whole scene terrifies the guards and temporarily paralyzes them.
5. Upon their arrival the women are understandably paralyzed but the angel soon calms their fears with very familiar words, “Do not be afraid.”
6. The soldiers had good reason to be afraid. Not only was the angel’s appearance terrifying in itself but, because they had been charged with protecting the grave, an empty tomb could spell their death. The women, however, had no reason to fear, and the angel’s first words were meant to give them comfort and assurance.
B. The angel provides the women with a message of hope from God.
1. The angel reveals his understanding of their mission. They are looking for a corpse, but no body remains. Jesus is resurrected, not just spiritually alive, so that the tomb is empty. His own predictions have come true
2. Not only does the angel interpret events for the women, he also demands of them certain actions: Come and see … then go quickly and tell his disciples. The women who had come to look at the tomb are now invited to behold the empty tomb.
3. The angel’s explanation of the absence of the body is intended as good news that must be shared with others.
III. The resurrection tells us that man should not be afraid to believe.
A. The experience of the empty tomb forces the women to deal with a wide variety of emotions.
1. What they had witnessed was extremely difficult to take in, they wanted to believe but still it just seemed to be true good to be true.
2. Many of us struggle to believe, we are conditioned to expect the worst and by doing so we never see the beauty of the moment thus robbing ourselves of the joy of their blessings.
3. Their fears could only be banished through belief. They needed to remember what Jesus had taught and then trust in the fact that God would have brought them to a successful conclusion.
4. Their belief is based on the evidence that they have seen not on wishful thinking. Too often we get these two confused, you wish that you could make something happen, belief is when you accept that something has already happened.
B. Belief has the ability to banish fear and place the joy of God in your heart.
1. The angel reassured the women that there was nothing for them to fear. They had to believe that the One they sought had risen, as He had promised.
2. When faced with the future we have two choices, we can face it with anxiety or face it with faith.
3. Belief in Jesus’ resurrection began to change their fear into joy as the words of the angel soaked in.
IV. The resurrection tells us that man should not fear Jesus.
A. As they were on their way to share the good news with the disciples, Jesus met the women.
1. Notice that our Lord’s first two Resurrection appearances were to believing women. These faithful women were not only the last to leave Calvary, but they were also the first to come to the tomb. Their devotion to Jesus was rewarded.
2. What a marvelous greeting for the Resurrection Day! The women fell at His feet, took hold of Him, and worshiped Him. There must have been some fear in their hearts, for He immediately assured them with His typical, “Don’t be afraid!”
3. It is during those times that we are truly obeying His word that we personally encounter Him.
B. Religion is often shrouded in fear to the point that we are afraid of a personal relationship with Jesus.
1. We become fearful of sinning or fearful of God punishing us for some past sin that we literally become paralyzed.
2. We are fearful because we truly do not understand the implications of Jesus’ resurrection.
3. His resurrection reminds us that He has paid the penalty for our sins and that the new life He brings sweeps fear from our lives.
4. The resurrection proves three important things.
a. The word of God is totally true and reliable.
b. Jesus is who He claimed to be and has power over life and death.
c. Jesus conquered the power of sin and death on the cross.
Max Lucado, in his book, “Six Hours One Friday,” tells the story of a missionary in Brazil who discovered a tribe of Indians in a remote part of the jungle. They lived near a large river. The tribe was in need of medical attention. A contagious disease was ravaging the population. People were dying daily. A hospital was not too terribly far away — across the river, but the Indians would not cross it because they believed the river was inhabited by evil spirits. And to enter its water would mean certain death. The missionary explained how he had crossed the river & was unharmed. But they were not impressed. He then took them to the bank & placed his hand in the water. They still wouldn’t go in. He walked into the water up to his waist & splashed water on his face. It didn’t matter. They were still afraid to enter the river. Finally, he dove into the river, swam beneath the surface until he emerged on the other side. He raised a triumphant fist into the air. He had entered the water & escaped. It was then that the Indians broke into a cheer & followed him across. Isn’t that what Jesus did? He entered the river of death & came out on the other side so that we might no longer fear death, but find eternal life in Him.
