Title: Finding Christ – No Grave Can Stop Him
Text: Mark 16:1 - 8
Mar 16:1-8 Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. (2) Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. (3) And they said among themselves, "Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?" (4) But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large. (5) And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. (6) But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. (7) But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you." (8) So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Introduction
Three women journey to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus. Jesus was crucified during Passover so the body was not prepared as usual. So the ladies show up at the tomb to finish the process.
These women were dedicated. We learn that, along with their mother and John, they had followed Jesus many years. Even through the trial that the religious leaders had put Him trough, even to the cross and the crucifixion.
They were there. They did not worry about what people thought. They stood by their masters side.
Who were theses women?
Mary the mother of James and Salmoe (Sa – moe) were mothers of some of the disciples who followed Jesus. Mary was the Mother of James and John. Salmoe was the mother of James the Less and Joesph (Joses) and the wife of Zebedee. I believe that they saw the difference that Jesus made in their sons. The difference Jesus made in their family. This drew them not to leave the side of Jesus. They saw first hand how Jesus makes the difference in the whole family.
Mary Magdalene is a little different.
Luke 8:2 and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons,
Mark 16:9 Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons.
We learn later on in this chapter that this is the Mary who had 7 demons when she encounters Jesus. In other words she was demonized. In other words she was fighting her demons.
I am not sure what they were but I can just imagine:
- Demon of addiction
- Demon of past hurt
- Demon of abuse
- Demon of self harm
- Demon of doubt
- Demon of insecurity
- Demon of self control
Basically what that means is she found herself at a place where she was out of control. She could not move forward. She did not like where she was but she had no way out. She wanted to change but she could not. That was until she met Jesus.
Luke 4:17 And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: (18) "THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE HAS ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR; HE HAS SENT ME TO HEAL THE BROKENHEARTED, TO PROCLAIM LIBERTY TO THE CAPTIVES AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET AT LIBERTY THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED; (19) TO PROCLAIM THE ACCEPTABLE YEAR OF THE LORD." 20 Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. (21)
And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."
At the Tomb
So they find themselves at the tomb of Jesus. To their surprise the stone had been removed. (Jesus still rolls away stones) and the tomb was empty.
Listen to the words of the angel:
"Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him.
Look here, look around. Jesus is not here. He has risen from the dead.
Luke “Why do you seek the living among the dead?”
Jesus was the first fruits of the resurrection. – 1 Corinthians 15
Revelation – Jesus Alive Forevermore
12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; 16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining it its strength. 17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. 18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hell and of Death.
--Revelation 1:12-18 (NKJV)
Jesus is the one who – lives. Yes He is a real person, who can take away your sins. I read of others who believe they can do it on their own, but Jesus is the only one who can do what is necessary.
Jesus is the one who was dead – the crucifixion happened. He paid the price on the cross for our sins. This is more than glossing over, but Christ is the substitute.
Jesus is alive forever more.
John 14:1-4 "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. (2) In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. (4) And where I go you know, and the way you know."
Finally, Jesus holds the “keys of Hell and of Death”. You don’t have to be overcome by what hell is trying to bring against you.
Conclusion
7 But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you."
To me this is the most telling part of the story. The angel tells the ladies to go back and share what they have heard and seen with the disciples. He purposely calls out Peter
Peter –
The denier
The one who talked so much but let Christ down
The one who could not control it himself.
Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren."
Powerful words. Jesus prayed for Peter. He is praying for us.
1 John 2:1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
1 John 1:8-9 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Simple Plan of Salvation
We are Loved by God
We let God Down
Jesus Died for Us
We must accept Him by Faith and Confession
