FEBRUARY 7, 2016

 

THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST

INTRODUCTION:

1.  Christ, having given up the ghost, His lifeless body was not allowed to hang there on the cross. God had put it into the heart of Joseph of Arimathea, an honorable counselor, to obtain permission from Pilate to take it down and give it a proper burial. Not only was Christ’s body not buried according to the manner in which the state would ordinarily dispose of the bodies of those who were executed, but as Isaiah had predicted, “He made his grave…with the rich in his death.” Joseph, after himself taking Jesus’ body down from the cross, wrapped it in costly, fine linen, and placed it in his own new tomb.

2.  Mary Magdalene and the other Mary had observed this, and doubtless would have prepared spices and ointments to anoint the body at that time, but had to postpone their plans because of the preparation of the Sabbath. It was nearing six o’clock in the evening, which was the time when the preparation began, thus they had no choice but to return after the Sabbath was past, which they did, as we see here. They were not able, however, to follow through with their good work, seeing the body of their Lord was not there.

I.  CHRIST’S RESURRECTION ANNOUNCED BY AN ANGEL TO THE WOMEN WHO CAME TO THE SEPULCHRE FOR THE PURPOSE OF ANOINTING HIM. (VERSES 1-8)

A.  THE AFFECTIONATE VISIT WHICH THE GOOD WOMEN MADE TO THE SEPULCHRE. (VRS. 1, 2)

1.  Mary Magdalene and Mary the wife of Alphaeus, and mother of James the less (mother also of Joese and Salome) came to the sepulcher to anoint the body of Jesus. This they most likely would have done before, when He was placed in the tomb, but since the preparation for the Sabbath began at six o’clock that evening, they had not enough time. Thus, they rose up very early in the morning on the first day of the week and returned to the sepulchre to perform their good work.

2.  They brought sweet spices to perfume Jesus’ body. It was this pious service that was prefigured by a dear woman at Bethany, as our Lord there noted. (Ch. 14:8)

3.  Nicodemus had bought a very large quantity of dry spices, myrrh and aloes, which were used with the linen cloth. (John 19:39) These women did not think that enough, therefore they brought spices perhaps of another kind, such as perfumed oils, to anoint Him.

B.  THE GREAT CONCERN THE WOMEN HAD REGARDING GETTING HELP REMOVING THE STONE FROM THE OPENING OF THE TOMB. (VERSES 3, 4)

1.  Being so focused on what they were coming there to do, they failed to make the necessary arrangements for this problem.

2.  It was as they were making their way to the sepulchre that they suddenly realized they had a problem. Here they were, the sun was not yet risen, nobody would be there at that hour, and they, with their combined strength would be unable to move the stone, for it was great.

3.  Had they known all that had been done they would have been concerned about a still greater problem. At the Jews’ request, Pilate had ordered a watch to be set to secure the sepulchre against theft of Jesus’ body. (Matt. 27:62-66)

4.  As it turned out, neither of these things were a problem, for “when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away.” (Verse 4)

C.  THE ASSURANCE THAT WAS GIVEN THEM BY AN ANGEL, THAT JESUS WAS RISEN FROM THE DEAD. (VERSES 5-7)

1.  The women entered into the tomb. They went far enough within to see that the body of Jesus was not where they had before observed it being placed.

2.  They, upon entering the sepulcher, saw what appeared to be a young man, but was in fact an angel who appeared in the likeness of a man. He was clothed in a long white garment.

3.  At first sight of him they were frightened. Already upset that Jesus body was gone, they were doubtless on edge. Many times we fall prey to our emotions, thus becoming terrified at what divine providence sent for our comfort.

4.  The angel, knowing their thoughts, and the reason they were frightened, quickly quelled their fears. “He saith to them, be not affrighted.”

5.  Not only did the angel speak to calm their fears, he announced the great reason for triumph and rejoicing.

a)  This angel had descended from heaven. It was he who had rolled away the stone, and he was sitting on it when the women arrived. (Matt. 28:1, 2) He had not rolled back the stone to take the body of Jesus, or to allow His escape, but to expose the empty tomb.

b)  He made clear that he knew their mission, but their mission was about to take a new direction. The angel acknowledged that they had come seeking the crucified Jesus that they might anoint His body. “He is risen,” said the angel, “He is not here, behold the place where they laid him.” (Verse 6)

6.  The angel assigns a new mission to the women. They had been faithful followers of Christ; now they shall have the honor of being first to announce His resurrection from the dead. (Verse 7)

a)  They must tell the disciples that Christ is risen. Knowing the awful sadness and despair of the disciples at this time, the angel said to the women, “Go quickly.” (See Matt. 28:7)

b)  They must be sure to announce the news to Peter particularly. Why so? Perhaps it was simply because Peter had been seen as the chief of the apostles. But, more likely, it was because Peter was yet in deep sorrow for his sin of denying his Lord. Perhaps he thought himself no longer worthy to be an apostle. There is no better news for a penitent to hear, since Christ rose again for their justification.

c)  They must tell the disciples that Christ is going before them into Galilee, and they are to meet Him there. (Verse 7)

(1)  Notice, this meeting in Galilee was to happen as He said unto them. (See Ch. 14:28; Matt. 26:32) This, like the other predictions He made to them concerning His death and resurrection, may not have registered with them, but now they shall recall it. (Example: John 2:22)

(2)  All the meetings between Christ and His disciples are of His own appointing. Christ never forgets His appointments, or the appointed blessings promised to them. In all meetings between Christ and His chosen ones, He is most forward to lead the way.

D.  THE REPORT WHICH THE WOMEN DID GIVE TO THE DISCIPLES AS THE ANGEL COMMANDED THEM. (VERSE 8)

1.  They quickly fled form the sepulchre trembling and amazed. They needed not to have been astonished, had they believed His words when He repeatedly said that the third day He would rise again. Had they truly heard His words, they would not have come to the tomb after three days expecting to find a dead body to anoint.

2.  They carried their message to the disciples, as they had been instructed, not sharing the news with anyone along the way. Again Mark tells us that they were afraid.

a)  Still trembling form the whole experience.

b)  Afraid not to do exactly as they had been commissioned.

c)  Afraid of the response that such a message might receive.

d)  May we not allow disquieting fears to hinder us from doing service to Christ, and declaring the good news that Christ is risen, and goes before to meet with His chosen ones.

II.  CHRIST’S APPEARANCE TO MARY MAGDALENE, AND THE ACCOUNT SHE GAVE OF IT TO THE DISCIPLES. (VERSES 9-11)

A.  HE APPEARED TO MARY MAGDALENE, FIRST TO HER IN THE GARDEN. (VERSE 9)

1.  It is noted that this is she out of whom He had cast seven devils. (Verse 9) Much had been forgiven her, and in turn, she loved much.

2.  This is the great honor that Christ did unto her that she was the first to see Him after His resurrection.

B.  MARY MAGDALENE REPORTED TO THE DISCIPLES WHAT SHE HAD SEEN, BUT HER REPORT WAS NOT BELIEVED. (VERSES 10, 11)

1.  She came to where the eleven and others were gathered mourning and weeping with the most glorious news that grieving souls could ever hope to hear. She told them that He was alive.

2.  They, however, refused to be comforted. Her report was plausible enough, and it agreed with Christ’s own repeated promise, yet they believed not.

3.  They, rather than accusing Mary of lying, probably suspected that this was some fancy of her own that she believed to be real and true.

4.  Had they believed the frequent predictions from His own mouth, they would not now have been so incredulous of her true testimony.