Seven Sayings from the Empty Tomb Luke 24:1-12
Sermon by don Emmitte, Grace Restoration Ministries
Take Your Bibles, Please….
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened. (Luke 24:1-12 ESV).
It is interesting how enamored we are with beginnings. We know this to be true from our experience. This is true in all areas of our life. Whether it is the beginning of a sports season or an historical era, we tend to remember the beginning with flourish and celebration.
For example, in science we trace our beginning to the turn of the century, ca 1900. It was then that a discovery was made completely changing the landscape of classical physics forever. In his Berlin laboratory, Max Planck, a 42-year-old German physicist, was trying to describe mathematically the emission of light by glowing bodies. No one had done and Planck could not do it either, until, in a desperate move he assumed light did not flow in a smooth stream as everyone until then supposed, but in tiny indivisible bursts.
Our temptation is to ask, “So what?” Even at the time it seemed frivolous research. It was almost like saying that a railroad train moved in one-foot jumps. However, as soon as Planck made his daring assumption, his equations came to life describing the emission of a radiant energy with elegant precision never before possible. It was from this “beginning” that we would see the development of Quantum Physics. This basic discovery provided the mathematical basis to understand and develop everything we know today about atomic energy. Out of this came Einstein’s theory of relativity that matter is equivalent to energy. And from this came a new age of science, some of which have been for the great good of mankind and others the great destruction of mankind. Most of the modern technology we prize so greatly began with this one discovery. Internal combustion engines were developed from this root. Radio waves were developed from it, ultimately leading to our use of cell phones and computers. The broad exploitation of this principle, largely in the last 50 years, has changed our lives enormously. We have acquired unprecedented mobility becoming truly a global community. Through some of the most common daily routines of our lives, things we take for granted, our lives have been enhanced. From public sanitation to chemotherapy Planck’s Law has advanced mankind. Yet we rarely, if ever, celebrate his life and work.
So it is with the crucifixion and death of Christ. Of course we celebrate Easter, but Easter would mean little without the Cross!
When we read the New Testament and historical accounts of the early Church we find the central theme of their message to the world was the truth that Jesus Christ, who was crucified and died, had been raised up from the dead. The Greek word most often used for resurrection in the New Testament is anastasis. It literally means “to stand again.” In the pagan world it was associated with the cycle of nature and the “nature gods.” It sometimes indicated the survival of a “spiritual part” of a person after death. Because of Jesus and his “standing up” again from the dead, resurrection came to mean the restoration of the whole self by God who gave life and creates it again in the heavenly kingdom. The Cross is the real beginning. The Apostle Paul said it this way:
And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. (1 Corinthians 15:14-20 ESV).
The Cross, the Resurrection, and Pentecost are all linked inseparably. Without the resurrection the cross is meaningless; and, apart from it the Cross is a tragedy and defeat of the worst sort. If the bones of Jesus lie decaying in some long forgotten, undiscovered tomb, hidden by the ages, then there is no Good News. The darkness of this world is indeed dark and life has no meaning. However, the Cross was not an end, but a beginning and like Plank’s beginning, it has affected our world incalculably!
You may remember there were seven sayings recorded from Jesus on the Cross. Each of them expressed a characteristic of the Christ and the work of redemption.
The first was “Father, forgive them.” It was a word of forgiveness.
The second was “Today you will be with me in Paradise.” It was a word of salvation.
The third was “Woman, behold your son.” It was a word of love.
The fourth was “Why have you forsaken me?” It was a word of anguish.
The fifth was “I thirst.” It was a word of humanity.
The sixth was “It is finished.” It was a word of victory.
The seventh was “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” It was a word of satisfaction.
However, perhaps the greatest sayings of Jesus were not spoken from the Cross, but from the empty tomb. Today we’ll look at those and see the Good News!
The First Word: A Word of Personal Recognition and Love (John 20:1-18).
The story of the discovery of the empty tomb by Mary Magdalene is incredibly poignant. It is full of emotion. You can well imagine how she felt. Mary Magdalene (originally in the Greek as Μαρία ἡ Μαγδαληνή, or Mary of Magdala) was one of Jesus' most celebrated disciples, and the most important woman disciple in the early church other than Jesus’ mother. Some have tried to tie her to the prostitute brought to Jesus in John 8; however, it is more likely that she is Mary whom Jesus cleansed of "seven demons" (cf. Luke 8:2). She is considered the "baby" of her family with her brother Lazarus of Bethany being the eldest and her sister Martha. She became Jesus' close friend and most prominent during his last days, being present at the cross after the male disciples, except John, had fled, and at his burial. She was the first person to see Jesus after his resurrection.
She was accompanied that morning by other women to finalize the anointing of Jesus’ body in preparation for final burial. Finding the tomb empty, the other women rush off to get Peter and John leaving Mary Magdalene behind. Grief stricken and confused she comes upon a man she thinks must be the caretaker of the area and asks where Jesus’ body has been taken. Then we hear those famous words:
But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). (John 20:11-16 ESV).
They are the words of love and recognition. Jesus wanted to assure her that he indeed was alive and knew her. Isn’t that the message we must hear today? In our dark world we long to know that God not only watches over us, but loves and knows us. It is a significant word!
The Second Word: A Word of Victory and Hope (Luke 24:13-35).
I wish we had time to explore the depth of this experience. You may remember it is the story of Jesus walking along with the two disciples on the Road to Emmaus. Cleopas and Simon (not Peter) were going to Emmaus, a town not far from Jerusalem, when Jesus joins them. They did not recognize him. He asked them what they were talking about.
NOTE: Have you noticed in the Scripture how many times God asks questions? I’ve thought about that a great deal. Of course he already knows the information. He is not seeking data. He knows everything. He asks so that we might know. So it was here. Jesus wanted these two men to know the real meaning of what had happened.
They began to question Jesus as if he had been hidden away somewhere. How could he come from Jerusalem and not know the news. It was the talk of the city! They tell the story from the perspective of a report, not believers. Not yet. And, Jesus answered them:
And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” (Luke 24:25-32 ESV).
Now they understood! Now they saw the truth of the news! Now it was not merely a report, but a message of victory and hope!
The Third Word: A Word of Assurance (John 20:19-23).
This is the first appearance of Jesus to the disciples. They were locked behind their door, afraid that the Temple rulers and priests would come after them. After all, hadn’t Peter been questioned in the courtyard of Caiphas? They knew who they were and knew they would not just stop with the death of Jesus. Then, Jesus simply appeared among them.
On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. (John 20:19-20 ESV).
“Peace be with you.” That’s always the message from the empty tomb! It is a peace at so many different levels. We have peace between God and our souls. We have peace within our minds. Our spirits find rest in the empty tomb. All of the struggles of this world fade into the background of white noise as the clear strong voice of Jesus breaks through and simply declares, “Peace be with you!” it is a word of assurance!
The Fourth Word: A Word of Patience (John 20:24-29).
This is a word I need. Thomas, called the “doubter” because of this experience, was present this second time Jesus appeared to the disciples. While he declared he would not believe Jesus was alive unless he saw it for himself, actually touching the wounds, Jesus accommodated his weakness. He appears and looks at him with outstretched hands inviting him to touch his wounds. Jesus does not look for our failures. He already knows all of those. He knew them intimately when he took them on the Cross. He looks for our hearts in patient love and mercy!
The Fifth Word: a Word of Restoration (John 21:1-19).
This is that wonderful passage when Jesus comes to the disciples who have left to go fishing. You remember how Jesus appears standing on the shore as they begin to come in from a night of fishing having caught nothing. He tells them to cast their net on the right side of the boat and they catch so many fish they can hardly pull them all into the boat. John recognizes Jesus and Peter jumps into the water and goes to him. Jesus has a fire going and some fish and bread for breakfast. They eat and Jesus asks Peter those famous three questions. Many theologians believe Jesus asks Peter three times about his love because of the three denials. That is not the case. Each time Jesus is prompting Peter to make the declaration that Jesus knows his heart and knows that he loves him. Jesus wanted Peter to know that he had been completely restored! That is how Jesus deals with all of us. He does not bring shame and guilt. He brings restoration and life!
The Sixth Word: A Word of Mission (Matthew 28:18-20).
This passage may be one of the most misunderstood of all the sayings of Jesus. Many interpreters take it as a command to “go” and do missions. Listen to the words again:
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20 ESV).
The imperative is “make disciples,” not “go.” A better way of translating this verse would be to say, “As you are going about your ways, MAKE disciples.” It is a commission for the disciples and us to teach others the same message we have been taught. It is a commission for all Christians to announce the good news of the victory of Christ.
The Seventh Word: A Word of Power (Acts 1:4-11).
This is the last gathering of the disciples before the Ascension. I love the way this passage ends. Look at it carefully:
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:8-11 ESV).
I always find it interesting when God or his messengers ask us questions. They’re scattered throughout the Scripture. Here it is a reminder that our place is not waiting somewhere for a better time or circumstance. We have power and knowledge that he is coming again!
These are words to live by because they are words of life! That’s what the Cross and the Resurrection mean for us!
