Today we are wrapping up the series titled “Were you there?”
In part 1 we took the journey that Jesus took from the Friday before Passover, all the way up to Passover.
Then, in part 2, we examined the events of the Crucifixion.
Today is Resurrection Sunday!!!
I’d like us to consider 3 things today.
5 meaningful events leading up to Jesus’ death and resurrection
The Empty Tomb
Prophesy that has been fulfilled, and prophesy yet to be fulfilled
BODY
5 meaningful events leading up to Jesus’ death and resurrection
His anointing @ Bethany
This anointing serves two purposes:
It demonstrates extravagant worship and devotion!
Webster definition of extravagant:
Exceeding what is reasonable or appropriate; absurd.
Absurd: wildly unreasonable, illogical
Isn’t God’s love for us wildly unreasonable, illogical?
Shouldn’t our worship and devotion be likewise?
It foretells Jesus’ death and burial.
He clears or cleanses the Temple
This action is His indictment of the temple system, and the corrupt religious leaders.
Jesus ushers in the New Covenant
He explains that His body will be given and blood poured out as a sacrifice for forgiveness of sin!
The agony in the Garden
Jesus asks the Father to take the cup from His hand, but only if it is His will.
The disciples fall asleep 3 times while Jesus prays!
Betrayal
This one hit me hard a couple of weeks ago. Just came out of nowhere.
Jesus’ was STILL calling Judas friend, even in the moment of betrayal.
Listen to His words to His disciples in John 15:15–16 “No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you...
He chose Judas, even knowing He would be betray Him.
One definition of betrayal is: to fail or desert someone.
He still calls me friend, even though I fail Him often, and fall short of His glory!
Last week, we examined the Crucifixion in some detail.
Today, it is Resurrection Sunday, and this is our most joyous celebration as followers of Jesus!
This is HIS story. This is THE story!
Just as with the previous two weeks, I recommend you not try to keep up with scripture, but rather follow the story.
In fact, I’m not even going to mention the addresses for the most part! I’m just weaving together this, from the 4 gospels.
When I endeavored to do this, I had no idea what it would be. It was:
Challenging
Eye-opening
Very rewarding
The Resurrection
“Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and the other Mary and (sa-low-mee)Salome went to the tomb early, and brought spices with which to go and anoint Him, while it was still dark. And suddenly there was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven came and rolled away the stone and sat on it. The guards are terrified and run away. (John 20:1 Matthew 28:1 Mark 16:1 Matthew 28:2-4)
“But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. And that the Son of Man would be crucified and rise on the third day. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”” (Matthew 28:5-7)
“And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” . Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.”” (Matthew 28:9-10)
“Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles. And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them.” (Luke 24:9-11)
Some of the guards inform the chief priests of the resurrection of Jesus. The soldiers are bribed to say Jesus’ disciples stole the body. (Matthew 28:11-15)
“Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead.” (John 20:3-9)
“Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him. And He said to them, “What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?” Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him, “Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things which happened there in these days?” And He said to them, “What things?” So they said to Him, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and crucified Him.” (Luke 24:13-20)
“But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened. Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb early, astonished us. When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive. And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but Him they did not see.” Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.” (Luke 24:21-27)
“Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He indicated that He would have gone farther. But they constrained Him, saying, “Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.” And He went in to stay with them. Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight. And they said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?”” (Luke 24:28-32)
“So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread.” (Luke 24:33-35)
“Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.” But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, “Have you any food here?” So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb.” (Luke 24:36-42)
“And He took it and ate in their presence. Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.“Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”” (Luke 24:43-49)(Matthew 28:18-20)
“Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”” (John 20:22-23)
“Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them.” (Matthew 28:16)
“After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Galilee and in this way He showed Himself: Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing.” (John 21:1-3)
“But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?” They answered Him, “No.” And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea. But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish.” (John 21:4-8)
John 21:9–15 “Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.” Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken. Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?”—knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish. This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead. So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.””
“He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. (John 21:16-19)
Luke 24:50–51 “And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father.
Hallelujah!
Scripture tells us he remained on earth after the Resurrection for 40 days.
Acts 1:3 “to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.”
Scripture also relates to us that over 500 people saw Jesus after the resurrection.
1 Corinthians 15:4–6 “and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep.”
We’ve taken a quick look at Jesus’ life the several days before His crucifixion, His crucifixion and resurrection. Let’s look how the OT prophesy was fulfilled during this time frame:
Zechariah 9:9 ““Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.”
Isaiah 53:5 “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.”
Isaiah 53:7 “He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth.”
Remember Pilate asking Him questions, but He answered Him not?
Isaiah 53:9–10 “And they made His grave with the wicked— But with the rich at His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was any deceit in His mouth. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand.”
Isaiah 53:12 “Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors.”
Zechariah 11:12 “Then I said to them, “If it is agreeable to you, give me my wages; and if not, refrain.” So they weighed out for my wages thirty pieces of silver.”
Psalm 22:16 “For dogs have surrounded Me; The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet;”
Psalm 22:18 “They divide My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.”
Psalm 22:7–8 “All those who see Me ridicule Me; They shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, “He trusted in the Lord, let Him rescue Him; Let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!””
Zechariah 12:10 ““And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.”
So, there are some scriptures about prophesy fulfilled.
There are some many scriptures of prophesy of the second coming, but I encourage you to read Matthew chapter 24 beginning in verse 3 to the end of the chapter.
About 99% of the chapter is letters in red.
Jesus talks about:
The signs of the times and the end of the age
The Great Tribulation
The coming of the Son of Man
The parable of the fig tree
No one knows the hour
and:
The faithful servant and the evil servant
PEOPLE GET READY
