Why does the Resurrection matter?
John 20:1-20
History records that Abraham who is known as the founder of the Jewish faith. 2000 years before the birth of Christ. His body remains in that tomb.
History also records that in the year 483 BC that Buddha who about 80 at the time died from eating a poisonous mushroom. He was cremated and buried in India. He remains there till this day.
Again history records that in the year 632 AD the prophet Muhammed became quite ill and developed a high fever and died at the age of 62. He laid the foundation for what is now the 2nd largest and fastest growing religion in the world. Islam. Millions of Muslims still visit his tomb every year.
In Ad 33 our Savior, Jesus Christ was crucified, died and buried. On the 3rd day following His death He arose from the dead and was seen by Mary Magdalene, then other women at the tomb, to Peter, to two travelers on the road to Emmaus, to the disciples who were in a house with doors locked and then at the time of His ascension over 500 saw Him at once.
What is the difference in Buddhism, Islam, Judaism and Christianity? Simple. Of the four major religions today only one claims an empty tomb. The resurrection is the miracle that makes a difference between a religion that is dead and one that is alive.
On this day people all over the world will do one of several things. 1. Some will gather with their families for a day of relaxation. For many it is simply seen as a holiday---a day off—nothing more—nothing less. 2. Others will gather for Easter egg hunts. Children will gather eggs filled with candy and other surprises. But there are millions who will gather together to celebrate the most important event in our faith---the most important event in history and that is the resurrection of Jesus.
The apostle Paul said that without the resurrection our faith is useless and that every one of us would still be living in our sins.
Let me begin with a quick question this morning. How many of you have ever been called for jury duty? Now how many of you have actually served on a jury? This morning I want you to imagine that instead of a worship center that this is a courtroom and that each of you is seated in the jury box.
The issue that is coming before the court today is not a crime but a claim. A claim so spectacular that it will either become the downfall of Christianity or it will become the cornerstone of everything we believe. If the resurrection never happened then Christianity collapses and becomes a myth and billions of people have simply been deceived. But if it did happen it then authenticates everything Jesus did and said.
The first piece of evidence I want to bring to the jury today is EXHIBIT A. THE EMPTY TOMB. The Bible teaches that when they crucified Jesus that His body was placed in a tomb made of solid rock. His body was covered with spices weighing as much as 100 pound and then He was completely wrapped in strips of linen cloth. A huge stone estimated to weigh about 4000 pounds was then rolled in front of the entrance to the tomb.
Once this large stone was in place, a group of up to 16 Roman soldiers was assigned to secure and guard the tomb. If you have seen pictures of what this scene looked like you usually see 2 guards in miniskirts---holding a spear in their hands. But that is simply not the case. These men were tough. They were gladiators.
Matthew tells us that in addition to the Roman guard there was also a seal that was placed around the tomb. If anyone tried to break the seal---the Romans would come after them and they would be executed.
In spite of all of these precautions—a 4000 pound stone, 16 soldiers and a sealed tomb…when the people began to arrive at the tomb that morning they all saw the same thing—an empty tomb with nothing there but a blood stained burial cloth---folded neatly all by itself. We will come back to that.
Across the years many have tried to disprove the empty tomb.
Maybe the disciples stole the body and buried Him elsewhere. Not likely. Peter had denied that he even knew Jesus…3 times. The disciples hid themselves and locked the doors because they were so afraid the same thing could happen to them. That theory falls apart very quickly when you consider the disciples who were very afraid at this moment could ever have….
Overpowered 16 gladiators
Moved a 4000 pound stone
Disposed of His body
Then made up a story that they would turn around and give their lives for.
Let’s look at EXHIBIT B. There were multiple witnesses. The early Christians didn’t believe just because of an empty tomb—they believed because they saw Him with their very own eyes. When they talked to others about Jesus they didn’t say we found an empty tomb---they said we saw Jesus and He was alive!!!!
The most outstanding proof that Jesus rose from the dead is that over 515 eyewitnesses saw Him on 12 different occasions. Luke says that after His suffering, He (Jesus) showed Himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that He was alive. He appeared to them over a period of 40 days and spoke to them about the kingdom of God. He appeared to Mary at the cemetery....He walked through a locked door and spoke to His disciples. He appeared to those who believed and to those who doubted. Luke says that he appeared to more than 500 of the brothers at one time. Now this is very important. Here’s why.
If there was an accident on the parking lot early this morning around 4:00 AM and no one was around except the two drivers the police would only be able to talk to two witnesses. The driver in each car. So you would likely get 2 completely different stories—both blaming each other. But what if there were 500 people here today and church just let out and all 500 saw the accident at the same time. And what if the story that all 500 of us told was exactly the same. I’ve never heard of a trail that had 500 witnesses. Put that in perspective. If we were to call each of the witnesses to the stand today to be questioned…for just 15 minutes each and we held court around the clock without a break it would take 125 hours straight to finish. Over 5 days straight. With all of that testimony no one would be able to walk away without being convinced. That’s how the case if for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. But there is also one more exhibit.
EXHIBIT C. CHANGED LIVES. Members of the jury I want to enter into evidence exhibit C: changed lives.
On the evening of the day the resurrection took place something happened that radically transformed the disciples. Their leader had been executed. Jesus had been to death so the disciples scattered. They gathered on the top floor of a building with the doors locked. They were afraid and suddenly Jesus was standing there and He spoke these words: “Peace be still!” He showed them the nail prints in his hands and his feet. And now the change began to come. Peter who had denied Jesus 3 times now, became one of the pillars of the church. Every one of them went from doubt to determination---they went from confusion to certainty---from fear to faith. And it wasn’t because of money or power or fame—it was because of one thing---the Resurrection.
Nearly all the disciples and the apostles died the death of a martyr. Four were crucified, two were beheaded, two were stoned to death…several killed in ways I will not describe today and I would suggest to you this morning as the jury that the only thing that could have possibly changed their lives in such a dramatic way was the resurrection of Jesus Christ. They gave their lives for one simple reason---they knew beyond any reasonable doubt that Jesus was alive.
The verdict comes to you now. The disciples had to make a decision. Countless men and women down through history have made the same decision but today the decision comes to each of you.
I told you that when we looked at the napkin mentioned that was found in the tomb that we would come back to that. In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin you have to know a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day. The folded napkin had to do with the Master and the Servant and every Jewish boy knew the tradition. When the servant set the table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it. The table was set perfectly and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating. The servant dared not touch that table until the master was finished.
Now if the master were done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, his mouth, clean his beard, wad up that napkin and toss it onto the table. The servant would then know to clear the table. Because in those days, that napkin wadded up meant one thing…I’m done!
But if the master got up from the table and folded his napkin and laid it beside his plate the servant dare not touch the table because the servant knew that the folded napkin meant “I’m not finished yet.” The folded napkin meant, “I’m coming back!”
Peter and John had walked with Christ for 3 years. They had watched as He opened blind eyes. They watched as He raised people from the dead. Then they watched Him die. And as they watched, all of their hopes and dreams were shattered. And so for 3 very long days they were in the depths of despair. The light had gone out of their lives. Peter even said I’m going fishing. In other words he was going back to what he used to do. But then after 3 days they saw a tomb and the tomb was empty. But not only did they see an empty tomb but they also saw a folded napkin in that tomb. And the message was clear . Jesus was saying, I’m coming back. I’m not finished.
