Text – Matthew 28:1 thru 6
Today is Easter. The most celebrated day of the year for the Christian faith. We have come to worship the Risen Savior.
There are many stories that have to do with the morning of the Resurrection.
Throughout the year we give special attention to the joy of, and the power of the resurrection of Christ. Jesus’ has defeated death and the grave!
This morning we must consider how this great victory can now change our lives.
For example, look closely at verse 9.
Notice what the response was for those who saw the Risen Savior first.
The NIV version tells us that they -
“clasped His feet and worshipped Him.”
There is no doubt but what each of us has different needs for our life. Regardless of your situation, each of us has the Risen Savior to behold and worship.
And that we must do. As we look at this passage of scripture, may we all -
“clasp His feet and worship Him?”
Your situation, this morning, may be much like that of Mary Magdalene and the other Mary. Recently, we looked closely at these two women as they stood NEAR THE CROSS. We found that Mary Magdalene desperately needed the redemption of the sufferings of Jesus on the cross. But it was Salome who came to the Cross of Calvary in need of correction and instruction for her life.
Perhaps both of these two women were discouraged and disheartened at the loss of the only Person Who would ever understand the plight of their life.
Have you ever felt that way about Jesus?
Think about this question before you answer, but are you totally dependent on this Man Who suffered and died for you?
Listen - no one will ever know you and care for you like Jesus, the Risen King.
If you have interest in finding any other hope of understanding in any one else, you will (sooner or later) be disappointed.
I believe both of the women in our story sensed that in Jesus. That is the reason why they came to the tomb early that morning when others would not.
Their lives were totally dependent on Jesus. They had no one else that loved and cared for them like Jesus did.
And that is the reason why we come to worship the Lord each Sunday morning even though others may not.
We are in desperate need of His love and forgiveness. I want to encourage each of you to seek the Lord early each and everyday of your life, but especially during every Sunday morning service.
Let me try to explain this in better detail for you. The details are sketchy about these two women in our story. There can be lots of speculation, but I have to believe there is a good chance that both had been up all night.
Either they had been grieving all night for their loss, or, maybe they were convinced that today would be the day they would see the Risen King?
Let’s just say they had been up all night because of the grief of the death of Jesus. I have met many people who will oftentimes sit up late at night grieving over the losses in their lives. Their hearts are heavy. They cannot sleep.
There are times we can become so discouraged and disheartened over our losses that we can make ourselves sick.
Disappointments can often be the cause of many of our illnesses. We cannot rest. We cannot relax. We cannot take care of ourselves. Sometimes, we are convinced that we cannot go on.
The difference in the two women in our story is although they may have been discouraged and disheartened, they were not defeated.
I believe these two women had listened to Jesus often enough to know -
· what His death would mean.
· that they were going to plan the rest of their life accordingly.
These two women knew something we must know, also. Jesus may have died on Friday, but…then came Sunday.
Jesus had given the promise to everyone, but only two discouraged and disheartened women understood or remembered those promises.
One of the promises Jesus had said –
“…and on the third day I will be perfected.” Jesus may have died on Friday, but then came Sunday.
My friend you can count on Jesus. You must listen to each of His promises and plan your life accordingly. Don’t ever give up on Jesus. He will keep His Word!
The Devil may have thought he had defeated Jesus on Friday.
But the Devil was in for a big surprise on Sunday morning.
Likewise, the Devil may think he has beaten you up, and you may think you have been left for dead, but I want you to know Jesus is a Man of His Word. Jesus won’t forget what He’s promised you.
Don’t give up Jesus.
You have heard His promise before.
He said in –John 14:1
"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.
27 "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
28 "You have heard Me say to you, ’I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ’I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I.
29 "And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe.
Jesus wants to prove to us that He will keep His Word to us. Your faith and believing will grow whenever you see God’s promises take place in your life.
And here is another promise I am looking forward to. That great HOPE OF THE RESURRECTION Day when -
16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
I came to church this morning expecting that today might just be that day.
I got up this morning at daybreak and I began longing to see the Risen King! Today just might be our Resurrection Day!
I am expecting a Resurrection Promise to be fulfilled. Jesus has promised me that He would conquer the grave, and I believe Him! Amen?
Folks, don’t listen to the “naysayers”. They say – “What is the use?
“Why get up and go to church on Easter? Nothing is going on up there.”
Everyone knows who the “naysayers” are. The problem is that the naysayers only see a dark and cold tomb.
They can’t see the Risen King.
They don’t understand that there is New Life in the Resurrected Savior.
Jesus said to this lost and dieing world,
“I have come that you may have life and that you may have it more abundantly!”
Do you believe that today?
Do you understand that Jesus has rolled away the stone, and that He has conquered death and the grave?
He has brought to each of us His Life.
In fact, He has brought it “abundantly”.
The naysayers and the scoffers act as if Jesus never rose from the dead. Some have even tried to say that God is dead.
Don’t listen to those who are so negative.
My friend God’s not dead…He’s still alive!
Those of us who have HOPE IN THE RESURRECTION have times in our lives when we may be discouraged and disheartened. No doubt about that.
But I also know what Jesus has promised. I know what I have to look forward to.
John 14:1-2
1 "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.
We have the HOPE OF THE RESURRECTION.
This is all we need!
Consider this. Did you notice these two women came to the tomb alone?
That happens to folks who really want more and more of Jesus. You may look around sometimes and not see everyone else you thought should be there.
This past week someone was talking to me about the movie, “The Passion of Christ.” They told me they have some friends in their church who have decided not to go see the movie. This person asked me what I thought about Christians who don’t to see this movie.
My reply was,
“Maybe some people don’t have an interest in knowing how much Jesus loves us and how He gave His life for us…”
Friend you may be the only one you know who wants to go see the Risen King.
Don’t you worry about that.
The angel of the Lord said in verse 6 –
"He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
My friend – it is up to you how much you want to know about the reality of Jesus.
Perhaps the Biblical story of the death and resurrection of Jesus is too confrontational for some folks.
We have seen recently that the story of Easter is (no doubt) very confrontational.
I enjoy small children at Easter time as much as anyone, but …
If we can get pass –
· the Easter bonnets,
· the Easter baskets (full chocolate bunnies)
· the Easter Egg Hunts,
then each of us will have to decide (for ourselves) how much we really love Jesus and how obedient we will be to Him.
Do you want more of Christ in your life?
Then here is what I would suggest…
You just keep looking in that empty tomb and know Whom you have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that He has committed unto that day.
You may be the only one you know –
· Who is interested in going to the tomb to look for the Risen King.
· Who has HOPE IN THE RESURRECTION.
That’s okay. Remember that there truly is power given to us at the Resurrection.
Consider the guards at the tomb. Just 3 days before they may have seemed might strong when they arrested Jesus, mocked Jesus, spat on Jesus, beat Jesus, and then nailed Jesus’ hands and feet to the cross.
But now look at them.
Cowering over the corner.
Verse 4 says -
And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.
That is what the power of God will do to the enemy who would try to destroy you.
God has the victory for you in the power of the Resurrection. God is faithful!
“Kings and kingdoms will all fall away…”
Those who want to rule and reign in this world will all one day fall down and
“clasp His feet and worship Him.”
The whole world will one day see the
reality of God’s Resurrection power.
And if we have made Jesus Lord of our lives, we will be told the same that the angel told the two women.
"Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.
Are you seeking Jesus who was crucified?
Are washed in the blood of the Crucified Lamb of God? Is He Lord of your life?
Then you have no reason to be frightened. You need only be excited and in the HOPE OF THE RESURRECTON.
Like the women at the tomb, I am looking forward to seeing the Resurrected Jesus.
I do not fear His coming.
And if the Lord should tarry, I am looking forward to being Resurrected from the grave – myself!
And I look forward to seeing all who have gone on before me. Each of those great saints of God that had a part in the heritage that I am blessed with.
We shall be resurrected in newness of life.
Is this story exciting to you?
If not you must experience the power of the Resurrection for yourself.
If you have already seen this for yourself then you must do as the women were told of the angel.
“…go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the grave…and you will see Him…”
