• On Palm Sunday we looked at the story of Barabbas, and the last words of Christ on the Cross
• Wednesday night-Benjamins’ Box-Incredible night. We’ll touch on that in a few minutes
• Yesterday @ the Pavilion
o We had a few desires as a church, in having this event:
? Build on last year, which was our first year
? Be a blessing to our community, which I believe we were
? Spread the love of Christ, which I know we did
? Tell people and invite people to CPC
o Here was the residual effect, regardless of the outcome. I saw that we can come together as a church and have an Outreach Ministry.
• There was a lot of time, talent and treasure put into making this successful as a church, and y’all were amazing for His glory!
Did you learn something new this week in Gods Word?
Did you see a familiar passage with new eyes?
Did you put into action, your study of Gods Word?
BODY
The stone was rolled away
Key verses found in Mark 16:1-8, but we’ll also look at the three other accounts of the empty tomb.
Stand with me as we honor God while reading His Word.
Mark 16:1-8 (read from my bible)
Salome (Sal-uh-may)
Matthew 28:1
Now after the sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.
Luke 24:1
Now on this first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women, with them, came to the tomb bring the spices which they had prepared.
John 20:1
Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.
I love it when an event is recorded in all 4 Gospels. It gives me a richer, fuller, deeper understanding of that event.
Imagine if this event had only been recorded in John:
“Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.”
As opposed to this:
“Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, went to the tomb while it was still dark, with the spices they had bought and prepared, that they might come and anoint Him.”
This is a combination of the 4 Gospel recordings of this event.
Not only do we see that Mary Magdalene went to the tomb while it was still dark, but that other women accompanied her with bought and prepared spices for the purpose of anointing Jesus’ body.
They don’t contradict each other, they compliment each other!
Ever played the whisper game?
? In our human selves we can sure mess it up
? But not God’s word!
Have you ever started something without completely thinking it through? Come on now!
Fireplace story
v.3 “and they said among themselves, who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?”
My objective was to light that fireplace!
Their objective was to anoint Jesus’ body. They had to be in an overwhelmed state of mind, having only hours before seen the barbaric torture and death of Jesus. So, thinking it completely through, understandably; wasn’t on the horizon.
Let’s go to Matthew 28:2
And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone, and sat on it.
Have you ever imagined that there was a barrier between you and Jesus, that didn’t ACTUALLY exist?
With a little research, I discovered that stones that covered tombs, were usually 1-2 tons (2000-4000) pounds.
But if Jesus can calm the sea, He can surely move a little ol’ 2 ton stone!
Ya know, sometimes the smallest most insignificant things can have such a powerful impact or meaning.
The angel sat on the stone! Why? Was he exhausted from moving the stone?
Very often, when we stand on something or sit or something, it is a sign of victory.
This was Jesus claiming victory!
v.6 “He is not here, for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
? He is risen- in all 4, but John 20:9 says it a little differently.
? I encourage you today, to read all 4 accounts of when the disciples (male and female) entered the empty tomb.
? I love v6- (read it again) I am reminded when the two disciples of John the Baptist asked Jesus “are you the One”? Jesus replied “come and see”. Both Jesus and the angel are telling us “come and see for yourself”, don’t take someone else’s word for it!
? Read v7 from my bible
o And Peter…strikes me as humorous.
? Not humor in what they were going through, but humor in the over-all situation that existed.
? And Peter…as though he weren’t one of the disciples, but include him!
? No, I believe that Jesus knew that Peter was deeply distraught over denying and fleeing Jesus.
? “The disciples” but specifically Peter, by name. He wanted Peter to know that Jesus called him by name.
? Jesus calls you by name, too.
? Have you ever began a journey, absolutely dreading going on that journey (you know, like your spouses family or high school reunion), but then the outcome was totally unexpected?
? Maybe you were a reluctant candidate for Tres Dias, but by Sunday, you felt so blessed that you didn’t miss it?
? Think about these women who journeyed to Jesus’ tomb. They had to be dreading that journey.
? Matthew 28:8 “So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.
? Began the journey to the tomb, dreading it.
? Ran with joy from the tomb, to share the Good News!
? Shouldn’t that be US church? Running from the tomb with joy, to spread the Good News?
Here’s just a few reminders of the significance of the stone rolled away and the empty tomb:
? The empty tomb means there is forgiveness-
o Two questions after reading of Benjamins Box, and these are huge questions coming from the mouths of babes!
? Why did Jesus have to die?
• Crystals answer was simple and beautiful “So that we could be forgiven”.
? But why did they want Jesus to die?
• Crystals answer went something like this: Satan was working through Jesus’ enemies and they thought they were doing the right thing.
? So, the empty tomb means forgiveness!
The stone was rolled away!
I firmly believe that Jesus could have left that tomb without the stone being rolled away, because let’s face it, He’s God.
But the stone that was rolled away, has such a deep meaning for us as believers, that I don’t want us to miss it!
That stone represents our sins.
That stone was removed. Removed from our lives.
? Doubt-rolled away
? Confusion-rolled away
? Self-pity-rolled away
? Lack of anything-rolled away
? Death-rolled away
Last week we looked at Jesus’ last words on the cross.
Our English bibles use the words “it is finished”. That is translated from a single Greek word “Tetelestia” (te-tell-es-tie) meaning “paid in full”.
