"From Darkness to Light" Matt 28:1-8 1 Cor 15:1-8
I don’t usually begin a sermon on a sad note like this, but sometimes we need to pause and remember what life is all about. There was a great loss in the entertainment world when Larry LaPrise, the Detroit native who wrote the song "The Hokey Pokey", died at age 83. It is said he died peacefully and that he led a full and happy life. Still it was a difficult time for the family. It was especially difficult for them to get him in the casket. They put his left leg in and well, that was when the trouble started. It’s been two thousand years now since they had similar trouble in Jerusalem. They put Jesus in a Tomb but He did not stay there.
The Empty Tomb
Jeremy was born with a twisted body and a slow mind. At the age of 12, he was still in second grade, seemingly unable to learn. His teacher, Doris Miller, often became exasperated with him. He would squirm in his seat, drool, and make grunting noises. At other times, he spoke clearly and distinctly, as if a spot of light had penetrated the darkness of his brain. Most of the time, however, Jeremy just irritated his teacher. One day she called his parents and asked them to come in for a consultation. As the Forresters entered the empty classroom, Doris said to them, "Jeremy really belongs in a special school. It isn’t fair to him to be with younger children who don’t have learning problems. Why, there is a five year gap between his age and that of the other students." Mrs. Forrester cried softly into a tissue, while her husband spoke. "Miss Miller," he said, "there is no school of that kind nearby. It would be a terrible shock for Jeremy if we had to take him out of this school. We know he really likes it here." Doris sat for a long time after they had left, staring at the snow outside the window. Its coldness seemed to seep into her soul. She wanted to sympathize with the Forresters. After all, their only child had a terminal illness. But it wasn’t fair to keep him in her class. She had 18 other youngsters to teach, and Jeremy was a distraction. Furthermore, he would never learn to read and write. Why waste any more time trying? As she pondered the situation, guilt washed over her. Here I am complaining when my problems are nothing compared to that poor family, she thought. Lord, please help me to be more patient with Jeremy. From that day on, she tried hard to ignore Jeremy’s noises and his blank stares. Then one day, he limped to her desk, dragging his bad leg behind him. "I love you, Miss Miller," he exclaimed, loud enough for the whole class to hear. The other students snickered, and Doris’ face turned red. She stammered, "Wh-why that’s very nice, Jeremy. N-now please take your seat." Spring came, and the children talked excitedly about the coming of Easter. Doris told them the story of Jesus, and then to emphasize the idea of new life springing forth, she gave each of the children a large plastic egg. "Now," she said to them, "I want you to take this home and bring it back tomorrow with something inside that shows new life. Do you understand?" "Yes, Miss Miller," the children responded enthusiastically all except for Jeremy. He listened intently; his eyes never left her face. He did not even make his usual noises. Had he understood what she had said about Jesus’ death and resurrection? Did he understand the assignment? Perhaps she should call his parents and explain the project to them. That evening, Doris’ kitchen sink stopped up. She called the landlord and waited an hour for him to come by and unclog it. After that, she still had to shop for groceries, iron a blouse, and prepare a vocabulary test for the next day. She completely forgot about phoning Jeremy’s parents. The next morning, 19 children came to school, laughing and talking as they placed their eggs in the large wicker basket on Miss Miller’s desk. After they completed their math lesson, it was time to open the eggs. In the first egg, Doris found a flower. "Oh yes, a flower is certainly a sign of new life," she said. "When plants peek through the ground, we know that spring is here." A small girl in the first row waved her arm. "That’s my egg, Miss Miller," she called out. The next egg contained a plastic butterfly, which looked very real. Doris held it up. "We all know that a caterpillar changes and grows into a beautiful butterfly. Yes, that’s new life, too." Little Judy smiled proudly and said, "Miss Miller, that one is mine." Next, Doris found a rock with moss on it. She explained that moss, too, showed life. Billy spoke up from the back of the classroom, "My daddy helped me," he beamed. Then Doris opened the fourth egg. She gasped. The egg was empty. Surely, it must be Jeremy’s she thought, and of course, he did not understand her instructions. If only she had not forgotten to phone his parents. Because she did not want to embarrass him, she quietly set the egg aside and reached for another. Suddenly, Jeremy spoke up. "Miss Miller, aren’t you going to talk about my egg?" Flustered, Doris replied, “But Jeremy, your egg is empty." He looked into her eyes and said softly, “Yes, but Jesus’ tomb was empty, too." Time stopped. When she could speak again, Doris asked him, "Do you know why the tomb was empty?" "Oh, yes," Jeremy said, "Jesus was killed and put in there. Then His Father raised Him up." The recess bell rang. While the children excitedly ran out to the schoolyard, Doris cried. The cold inside her melted completely away. Three months later, Jeremy died. Those who paid their respects at the mortuary were surprised to see 19 eggs on top of his casket, all of them empty.
Resurrection Sunday (Easter)
To Mary Magdalene (John 20:14-18)
To the women coming back from the tomb with the
angelic message (Matthew 28:8-10)
To Peter that afternoon (Luke 24:34; 1 Corinthians
15:5)
To the disciples on the road to Emmaus around
evening (Luke 24:13-31)
To all ten disciples/apostles except Thomas (Luke
24:36-43; John 20:19-24)
Eight Days Later
To the eleven apostles, including Thomas
(John 20:24-29)
In Galilee
To the apostles and five hundred others on a mountain
(1 Corinthians 15:6)
At Jerusalem and Bethany (a second time)
To James (1 Corinthians 15:7)
To the eleven apostles (Matthew 28:16-20; Mark
16:14-20; Luke 24:33-53; Acts 1:3-12)
To Paul
Near Damascus (Acts 9:3-6; 1 Corinthians 15:8)
In the temple (Acts 22:17-21; 23:11)
To Stephen
Outside Jerusalem (Acts 7:55)
To John
On the island of Patmos (Revelation 1:10-19)
-- Adapted from "The Empty Tomb," by Steve Russo,
in "Home Life," March 2002, p. 44
During the first eleven appearances, Jesus appeared to more than 500 people over a forty-day period. (Acts 1:3) It was verified in eleven (12 if you count Paul) separate events of those who saw Jesus after his resurrection. Eleven different reappearances of our risen Lord are recorded in the New Testament over a 40-day period. They are as follows: (1.) Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:9) (2.) The women (Luke 24:1-11) (3.) Simon Peter (Luke 24:34) (4.) Two Disciples - on the way to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35) (5.) Ten Disciples, except Thomas (John 20:19-24) (6.) Eleven Disciples, Thomas being present (John 20:26-28) (7.) Disciples at the sea of Tiberius (John 21:1) (8.) Apostles in Galilee (Matt. 28:16-18) (9.) About five hundred brethren (1 CO. 15:6) (10.) The Disciple James (1 CO. 15:7) (11.) All the Disciples (Luke 24:51; Act 1:9; 1 CO. 15:7) It is worthy of note, that it is distinctly related that, on most of these occasions, our Lord afforded His disciples the amplest opportunity of testing the fact of His resurrection. He conversed with them face to face. They touched him (Matt. 28:9; Luke 24:39; John 20:27), and he ate bread with them (Luke 24:42, 43; John 21:12, 13). (12.) Paul later AFTER Christ’s ascension (Acts 9:3-9, 17; 1 CO. 9:1; 1 CO. 15:8). And they who once were cowards (before Jesus resurrection) were now willing to die for the resurrected Christ. What changed their hearts? As some have indicated, would these men really be willing to die for a hoax that they were covering up? Absolutely not! They went from being cowards to bold Christians, and even martyrs for Christ, because they KNEW He was raised from the dead!
Have you ever noticed how sometimes your intentions are turned around? Satan and the world had certain intentions when the crucified Christ but God turned them around Let us look at what the intentions were but contrast them with what the result was or is.
I. The Meaning of the Cross
A. It meant to be a Symbol of Shame. It became Symbol of Salvation. The cross in that day was a symbol of a slave’s death and a murderer’s punishment. The most unlikely of all the symbols linked with Christianity is the Cross-. In the Bible, we have a record of how God does not work in the ways of man but has a higher purpose in the events of life. Gen 50:20, “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” This is the story of Joseph in the Old Testament who his brothers wanted to kill. God stepped in and turned it into the salvation of a whole nation through which came Christ. Let us also recall the story of Esther.
B. It meant to Deny Christ is Dignity. It restored Dignity to those whose who were dead in sin. “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Heb 12:2
C. It meant to Dismiss Christ’s Deity. It declared Jesus to be the Son of God. MK 15:39 “And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.”
D. It meant to Deliver Death. It gave Life that was eternal and everlasting. JN 3:15that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
II. The Nails, Whips, Crown of Thorns.
A. The Nails were to Keep Him in Place. It was not the nails that kept Him on the cross; it was the love of God for sinful man. The results would free all who would believe. JN 8:32 “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Rom 10:9, 10 “That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.”
B. The whips were to hurt. They resulted in healing. Acts 3:16By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.
C. The crown of thorns was brutal heartless hate from men in sin. Jesus took them because of Love.
"And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! Matt 27:29
III. The Grave
A. It meant to be a Tombstone to Mark His End, It finished up making a new beginning.
B. It meant to be the end of his body. It became the doorway of His Resurrection.
C. It meant to enclose the Light. It was the doorway of Light to the world.
There is one and only one reason why the intent of world failed – The Resurrection
Read John 11:25-26
My King
The Bible says that my King is a seven way King.
He’s the King of the Jews — that’s a racial King.
He’s the King of Righteousness.
He’s the King of the nations — that’s an international King.
He’s the King of the ages.
He’s the King of Heaven.
He’s the King of Glory.
He’s the King of kings and He’s the Lord of lords.
THAT’S MY KING! Well, I wonder... do you know Him?
David says that the heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows His handiwork. My king is a Sovereign King. No means of measure can define His limitless love. No far seeing telescope can bring in the visibility of the coastline of His shore fewer supplies. No barrier can hinder Him from pouring out His blessings.
He’s enduringly strong.
He’s entirely sincere.
He’s eternally steadfast.
He’s immortally graceful.
He’s imperially powerful.
And He’s impartially merciful.
DO YOU KNOW HIM?
He’s the greatest phenomenon that has ever crossed the horizon of this world.
He’s God’s Son.
He’s a sinner’s Savior.
He’s the centerpiece of civilization.
He stands in the solitude of Himself.
He’s august and unique.
He’s unparalleled.
He’s unprecedented.
He is the loftiest idea in Literature.
He’s the highest personality in Philosophy.
He’s the supreme problem in Higher Criticism.
He’s the fundamental doctrine of true theology.
He’s the core, the necessity of spiritual religion.
He’s the Miracle of the age.
He is the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him.
He’s the only One qualified to be an all-sufficient Savior.
I WONDER IF YOU KNOW HIM TODAY.
He supplies strength for the weak.
He is available for the tempted and the tried.
He sympathizes and He saves.
He strengthens and sustains.
He guards and He guides.
He heals the sick.
He cleansed the lepers.
He forgives sinners.
He discharges debtors.
He delivers the captives.
He defends the feeble.
He blesses the young.
He serves the unfortunate.
He regards the aged.
He rewards the diligent and He beautifies the meek.
I WONDER IF YOU KNOW HIM. THIS IS MY KING!
Well, He’s the key to knowledge.
He’s the wellspring of wisdom.
He’s the doorway of deliverance.
He’s the pathway of peace.
He’s the roadway of righteousness.
He’s the highway of holiness.
He’s the gateway of glory.
DO YOU KNOW HIM?
His office is manifold.
His promise is sure.
His life is matchless.
His goodness is limitless.
His mercy is everlasting.
His love never changes.
His Word is enough.
His grace is sufficient.
His reign is righteous.
And His yoke is easy and His burden is light.
I WISH I COULD DESCRIBE HIM TO YOU, BUT HE’S INDESCRIBABLE!
He’s indescribable… He’s indescribable… He’s indescribable.
He’s incomprehensible.
He’s invincible.
He’s irresistible.
You can’t get Him out of your mind.
You can’t get Him off your hands.
You can’t outlive Him and you can’t live without Him.
The Pharisees couldn’t stand Him, but they found out they couldn’t stop Him.
Pilate couldn’t find any fault in Him.
The witnesses couldn’t get their testimonies to agree.
Herod couldn’t kill Him.
Death couldn’t handle Him.
And the grave couldn’t hold Him.
THAT’S MY KING!! THAT’S MY KING!!
And yours is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory, forever and ever and ever and ever... How long is that? And ever and ever.
And when you get through with all the “forevers”… then AMEN!
GOOD AND GREAT GOD ALMIGHTY!
AMEN!!! AMEN!!!
