Series: All! Pre-series message (Easter)

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Title: Why the Resurrection of Jesus Christ Matters Today

Bottom Line: When we come and see what Jesus has done, we will go tell the world why he has come.

Years ago, a young member of our (Nicky Gumbel’s church in England) congregation at HTB had a job working in the library of a major national newspaper. This newspaper kept files of old cuttings about every well-known person. The files were kept in rows of long shelves and were separated into ‘living people’ and ‘dead people’.

One day, the young man was looking through the files of dead people and came across a large file marked ‘Jesus Christ’. He glanced over his shoulder to check that no one was looking and quickly moved the file from the ‘dead people’ section to the ‘living people’ section.

Jesus Christ is alive. He is risen from the dead. To anyone looking for him among files of dead people, the angels would say, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!’ (Luke 24:5–6).

Mary Magdalene - Jesus cast out 7 demons from her

Mary mother of James “Other Mary” - Mother of James the lesser (disciple, son of Alpheus)

The women…

• Appear to be the last to leave the tomb on Friday (along with Joseph of Arimathea) and the first to arrive at the tomb Sunday morning (besides the angels and guards, of course)

• Were prepared to anoint Jesus’ wrapped and partially anointed corpse (Mark 16:1)

• Meet the angel who’s perched there waiting for them, his job almost complete (Angel = messenger)

• Unconcerned with guards but very concerned with angel

• Receive the message from God via angel about what just happened

  • “Don’t be afraid”

  • I know you’re looking for Jesus

  • “Who was crucified”

  • “He’s not here ; he has risen (has been raised)

  • “Just as he said” (he would be)

  • “Come and see”

  • “Go quickly and tell”

  • “Now I’ve told you.”

• As a result of seeing what they saw,

  • They obeyed promptly and completely because

  • Afraid yet filled with joy

  • Ran to tell his disciples (brothers)

  • Ran into Jesus suddenly (though I doubt it hurt very much;-))

  • Are greeted by Jesus casually and familiarity

  • Respond to his humanity (clasp his resurrected feet) and worship his divinity

  • Are still afraid and filled with joy; it’s dangerous to oppose the Romans or Jewish leaders; hard to be women in a male-dominated culture; they had little power and influence; would anyone believe their story?

  • Go and tell the brothers to go to Galilee where they’d all see Jesus again—resurrected and fully alive!

Key applications

1. “Don’t be afraid” is a command to trust the Lord so fully that fear is unnecessary. Both the angel and the Lord command this. Why not:

   1. It won’t help or change anything to be afraid (Matt 6:25-34)

   2. It will keep you from seeking Jesus

   3. It will discourage obedience to Jesus

2. Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness (Matt 6:33); this is the antidote to fear

3. Come and see—see the empty tomb

   1. Jesus, who was crucified for 6 hours (after being tortured nearly to death and carrying the crossbar until he couldn’t anymore) died publicly.

   2. Then wrapped tightly in a mummy-like combination of fabric, spices and ointments to keep it all together begins.

   3. His body is gone when they look, but not stolen.

      1. His enemies could have stolen and then revealed the body later to prove not resurrected; clearly they didn’t; instead they accused the disciples of stealing it

      2. His friends could have stolen the body (no, not really) but they’d be perpetuating a lie; why would they all willingly die for that lie? What’s the point?

      3. No one is taking the body of Jesus unwrapped

      4. It wasn’t unwrapped but it’s like his body just evaporated leaving the shroud in tact; headpiece neatly folded

   4. No one else has been inside. Angel opens it up for these women first. (Guards outside in shock or fainted)

4. Come to believe that Jesus has in fact risen from the dead. Historically confirmed by friendly and enemy sources (Josephus, Tacitus, Apostles)

5. “Go and tell”

   1. What you saw

      1. Empty tomb

      2. Resurrected Jesus

   2. What he said

      1. Don’t be afraid (though tempted)

      2. Go to Galilee where you will see me

6. Cling and worship

   1. to the crucified Jesus (humanity; die together i.e. baptism) and

   2. resurrected Jesus (divinity; worship him)

Conclusion

Bottom Line: When we come and see what Jesus has done, we will go tell the world why he has come.

What do I want you to know?

The Gospel: Jesus, the Son of God, took on flesh, was tempted as we are, yet did not sin, died on the cross (in our place) for our sins so that we could live in his place as his brothers and sisters. He was raised up by the Father vindicating his life and death and showing the Father’s pleasure over his obedience.

What do I want you to do?

Surrender your whole life to Jesus Christ and let him forgive you, cleanse you, free you from sin and death, shame and guilt, and hell itself. Do this by grace through faith. Walk with the rest of us as we learn how to do just that together.

Pray and Lord’s Supper

Another picture. Like baptism, a commanded ordinance we perform. This one we do regularly. This one reminds us of the gospel as does baptism. It doesn’t save. It does sanctify as it reminds us why we live this way.

References/Bibliography:

“Preaching the Word” Commentary, Douglas Sean O’Donnell, Edited by Kent Hughes

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“the Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

"Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" by Martin—Lloyd Jones

“Exalting Jesus in The Sermon on the Mount” by Daniel Aiken (CCE)

“Exalting Jesus in Matthew” by David Platt (CCE)

“The Sermon on the Mount: Kingdom Life in a Fallen World” by Sinclair Ferguson

Outline Bible, D Willmington

DA Carson, Jesus’ Sermon, 45

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB)

ESV Study Bible

ESV Gospel Transformation Bible (GTB)

"Kingdoms in Conflict" by Charles Colson