Matthew 28:1-10, Colossians 3:1-4
The question was asked when Jesus rode into Jerusalem. It was on everyone’s mind when he was crucified. Let’s stay with that question for today we get confirmed answer. The question: Who is this?
Mary and Mary were wondering as they went to the tomb, convinced that Jesus was dead, intending to bury the body properly for it had been entombed in haste. That’s when things got exciting – earthquake, bring lights, angels, guards fainting, Mary and Mary, the first on the scene, the first to see and hear and then meet Jesus alive.
These two women were devoted to Jesus. They were there at the cross as he died, they were there at the tomb as Jesus’ body was buried, and now they were the first to know. This was love’s reward. And Jesus and the angel told the women three things – believe, share and rejoice.
Neither actually said ‘believe’ rather they said look and see and, by implication, believe. Let the evidence set aside your fears and doubts and grief. As we read in Matthew 28, the angel addressed the women saying, “You have nothing to fear. I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, he has been raised to life as he said he would be.”
So simply stated, yet the implications of these words are phenomenal.
He was raised as he said he would be.
Jesus predicted his own resurrection. He must have known more than any other man. Many men have predicted that they would rise from death, but no one else has managed to do it. Many others claimed that they would not die, but all did.
Jesus knew he would be killed and that God would restore him to life. The fact that it happened vindicates everything he said. If Jesus was not raised to life then none of his words are reliable. Nice words they may be but we can not depend on them if this claim is false. The resurrection is the ‘proof of the pudding’ so to speak.
It vindicates not only Christ but all the writers of the Old Testament who predicted the Messiah. Christ fulfilled the Old Testament and numerous prophecies came true when he died and rose again. The Bible is true – Christ’s resurrection proves it. 1 Corinthians 15:3,4 The first thing I did was place before you what was placed so emphatically before me: that the Messiah died for our sins, exactly as Scripture tells it; that he was buried; that he was raised from death on the third day, again exactly as Scripture says; Validation of the Scripture but also validation of the resurrection, as Paul goes on: that he presented himself alive to Peter, then to his closest followers, and later to more than five hundred of his followers all at the same time, most of them still around (although a few have since died); that he then spent time with James and the rest of those he commissioned to represent him; and that he finally presented himself alive to me. And it doesn’t stop there as Jesus has presented himself to many millions of people since then, including me and you.
Among Jesus’ true sayings is his identification of himself with God. Since he rose from death we can be sure that Jesus is God, Romans 1:4. His unique identity as Son of God was shown by the Spirit when Jesus was raised from the dead, setting him apart as the Messiah, our Master. He is who he said he is.
Therefore, because he is God, we can be sure that he was without sin, and so the result of his death is that the penalty for our sins has been paid. The death we deserved he took upon himself. Therefore forgiveness and fellowship with God are available to all people.
No wonder the women who visited the tomb that morning were filled with awe and joy.
Awe because they witnessed the most significant turning-point in all history. Sin was paid for and the power of death was ended.
Joy because their Saviour lives. They had hardly dared to hope, but now they knew that all he had told them was true. Their God reigns.
Share
Most people are hardly aware of the fact of Jesus’ resurrection and its ramifications, let alone believe it. How can they know until someone tells them? Or believe until they see? Both the angel and Jesus told the women to tell the news to Jesus’ disciples. It was in fact the risen Jesus’ first command. Paul reminds us in Romans 1:5 that Through him we received both the generous gift of his life and the urgent task of passing it on to others, who receive it by entering into obedient trust in Jesus.
Believe, share and ..
Rejoice
In fact the first thing Jesus said was ‘Rejoice’. It was his greeting. Actually ‘Chairete’ was the normal greeting of the day, like ‘gidday’ or ‘hello’ but it literally means ‘rejoice’. And rejoice we should for resurrection changes everything.
Rejoice in the reality as it is spelled out in Colossians 3:1-4 which I will read from the Message version: So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don‘t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective. Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God. He is your life. When Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you’ll show up, too—the real you, the glorious you. Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ.
I invite you to think about these questions:
What has helped you believe?
What is your experience of the risen Jesus?
Can you recall a time when Jesus presented himself to you? First time – any time?
What is your ongoing experience of our living Lord?
What have you to share?
What are you rejoicing about?
If you can’t answer these questions you could ask Jesus to show you the evidence for his resurrection and to give you the faith to believe.