Tragedy to Triumph
Pastor Jim May
As the sun began to rise on the first day of the week, there was a somber mood in the city of Jerusalem. The Passover was now over and it was time for the Jews to leave the city and return to their homes and villages across Israel. This had been a week of high excitement that had ended in stark terror.
Only 1 week before, the hope of Israel for deliverance from the Roman Occupation was at its peak but that hope had been dashed by the crucifixion of the one man who most considered to be the leader who could begin the rebellion against Rome, Jesus of Nazareth.
No one, not the High Priest of Israel, the Sanhedrin Council, Herod, Pilate, the Roman Soldiers who nailed Jesus to the cross right down to the ordinary citizen of Jerusalem would ever forget the events of just a few days ago.
While the soldiers that mocked Jesus shouted at him to come down from the cross if he was really the Son of God as He had claimed to be, and while Mary, his mother, and a few of his disciples stood watching, Jesus had paid the ultimate price for man’s sin upon that cross.
They watched as Jesus hung there in great suffering as the nails in his feet and hands sent shudders of pain as raw exposed nerves rubbed against the nails each time Jesus attempted to breath or move. They had heard Jesus’ last words on that cross as He said in
Luke 23:34, "… Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."
There were two thieves who were crucified at the same time. Everyone there could hear the words of the thieves as one mocked Jesus while the other begged for Jesus to remember him in his kingdom.
Luke 23:43, "And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise."
Then, as Jesus looked toward Heaven, He drew his last breath …Luke 23:46, "And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost."
At the last hours before Jesus died it seemed that the whole world had turned upside down. Darkness filled Jerusalem because the sun was hidden for the space of 3 hours in the middle of the day. The thick curtain that had hung for many years in the temple that separated the Holy of Holies where the presence of God dwelled was suddenly ripped in two from top to bottom like a giant pair of hands had torn it easier than you rip a piece of paper. The very ground beneath their feet had quaked and brought fear upon all who stood around.
Even battle hardened Roman Centurions were heard to confess that surely Jesus was the Son of God for no one had ever seen these things before.
Finally, the Roman soldiers came by and pierced the side of Jesus and water mixed with blood came from the wound. Jesus was dead so they took him down from the cross for burial in a common grave like any other criminal.
John 19:38-42, "And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand."
That was three days ago and now it was the First day of the new week. Jerusalem was just beginning to awaken from a long dark night when a strong aftershock from an earthquake struck the city adding to the feeling of dread and fear that already filled the city.
The time had finally come for the body of Jesus to properly prepared and wrapped for burial. Three of his most devout followers, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome went to the tomb where Jesus was buried but they were concerned about moving the huge boulder that had been rolled in place to seal the tomb because they were not able to move it.
As they approached the tomb, something didn’t seem right!
Where were the guards?
Mark 16:5-8, " And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him
And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid."
The word began to spread that Jesus’ body was missing. The grief and loss felt by the crucifixion and burial was bad enough but now it was added to by the theft or hiding of the body so that a proper burial could not happen.
Mary Magdalene, from whom Jesus had cast 7 demons, was determined to find the body. As she stood near the tomb crying, Jesus came to her and comforted her.
Mary was excited and overwhelmed with joy! She ran to spread the word that Jesus was really alive!
It seemed so incredible, so unbelievable and yet it was true – JESUS IS ALIVE!
Reports began to come from all over Jerusalem that Jesus had appeared and spoken to many of His followers. First, he appeared to two men who walked on the road to Emmaus, then just appearing out of thin air in gathering of 11 of his disciples, then again to several of his disciples as they were on the shores of the Sea of Tiberias.
Hope again sprang to life!
While the religious leaders had schemed to stop the message of the gospel, God had planned for ultimate victory!
The Light had come to a sin-darkened world!
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, had come from the glories of Heaven, took upon himself the form of a man, lived a sinless life and given His own blood as the sacrifice that was needed to wash away the sin of the world.
From the darkest hours of fear, doubt and despair, those who believed in Jesus were lifted to the heights of joy.
Now they began to understand what had really happened.
The greatest tragedy the world has ever known had been transformed into the greatest Triumph that the world could ever have. Jesus had paid the price for sin and now man could be forever set free from the bondage of sin.
Israel, and every nation, every man, woman and child, could now be set free from bondage because of this great victory over sin.
God’s great plan of Salvation for all men was now completed and the way was open for man to escape eternal death and obtain eternal life!
John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
We do not serve a god that is dead this morning!
WE SERVE A RISEN AND LIVING SAVIOR WHO IS, RIGHT NOW, SEATED IN THE THRONE OF HEAVEN!
Satan and all of his demons could not stop the plan of God in providing a way of salvation for fallen man.
The High Priest of Israel and the great Sanhedrin Council could not stop the plan of God.
The words of Christ rings in our ears as we hear him tell Peter in Matthew 16:18, "… upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ after his death on the cross for your sin and mine is the greatest Triumph the world has ever known!
Revelation 22:17, "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."
Today we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. We call to remembrance the dark day of crucifixion and then the bright morning of the resurrection.
But we must do more than remember those events; we must realize that there was a real purpose in all of it for us.
The Crucifixion of Christ and His Resurrection, his purchasing of your salvation means nothing at all unless we believe on Jesus and accept Him as Lord of our lives.
For those who do not know Jesus, you are still living in the darkness of despair, without hope and with a life that has no real meaning.
You are like the city of Jerusalem, shaken by every event that comes your way causing fear and doubt to arise. Every time you hear news of wars, death and destruction on every hand your despair is evident for you can see no real hope for the future.
Man is living in the last days.
Jesus warned us in Matthew 24 that these days were coming.
For those of us who are saved, these are exciting times for we know that Jesus is coming again so very soon. He is coming to get his Bride who is the true church and those who love Him and are watching for His coming.
Those who don’t know Jesus as their Savior don’t have this hope. Instead there is a sense of impending doom. Mankind knows that this world cannot continue like it is going right now, but they have no answers or solutions to their dilemma. The great leaders don’t know what to do anymore.
Rioting in the streets, wars, famines, and earthquakes on every hand and diseases that resist medical science’s best efforts are running rampant throughout the world and we are powerless within ourselves to do anything about it.
BUT, THERE IS HOPE!
Because of the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, you have hope.
Why continue down a path to uncertainty and eternal punishment when you can turn to Jesus and start down the path to life eternal and life with purpose?
Give your heart to Jesus this morning. Let Him wash your sin away and give you a new life, a new heart and a home in Heaven.
Jesus died on the cross for you!
If you are here this day, or reading this sermon on the Internet, or hearing it as it is spoken in our service, Jesus knew you would be here and He has planned for you to have a chance to know Him as your Savior right now!
Come to Him right Now as we pray this prayer together:
Dear Father in Heaven, I come to you today in Jesus’ Name. I know that I have failed you so greatly and that I need a Savior. I am sorry for the sin and all the wrong that I have done. I believe in my Heart that Jesus died on the Cross - for me. I believe in my Heart that Jesus Rose from Dead and is alive forever more. Jesus, come into my life and into my heart and wash my sins away with your blood. I turn my life over to you Lord, and I confess you as the Lord of my Life.
If you have prayed this prayer and meant it from the depths of your heart and soul, by the authority of the Word of God, you are saved.
Romans 10:9-10, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
What a great day this Easter is for any who have accepted Christ this day!
This is your greatest Triumph! This is the Victory that Jesus came for!
You will live forever in the Glory of Heaven with Jesus who bought your salvation!
