HE IS NOT HERE - HE IS RISEN

Matthew 28:1-10

 No, this is not an Easter message. But, it is a vital part of the message Christ wants us to spread to the world. From the time of his birth in Bethlehem, this was his destination. He came because the “wages of sin is death.” Don’t be confused, yes our material bodies grow old and in time we will die, but Christ came to die in our place so that our Spiritual, new bodies might be enabled to enter heaven and live for ever. Years ago, when I stooped and walked in the door of the grave in the picture above and placed my hands on the places prepared for three bodies there, one not quite finished, I knew that this might not be the actual grave when my Savior laid for three days, but it was very like that described in scripture. It is certainly one of the places where Jesus walked. The angels expressed it for us. “He is not here. He is risen.” That is also our message for the world. He died for us that we might also live, and arose from the grave that we might know that there is truly life beyond the grave.

 THE ANGEL’S TESTIMONY

 The Jewish day begins at the crack of dawn, so at that time, two women came to see the grave of Jesus. What they found was an open grave. The Roman seal was broken, the giant stone was rolled back, and all was open, and empty! What was there were the grave clothes, the folded cloth that had covered the face, and an angel who told them to go tell the apostles what they saw. They ran.

 1 In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulcher.

(Matthew 28:1-8, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-10, JOHN 20:1-8, Matthew 27:56, Matthew 27:61)

 2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

 (Luke 24:4, John 20:12, Matthew 27:66, Mark 16:4)

 They must have wondered when the earth had shaken so violently in that earthquake. At that very time the heavy curtain that separated the temple into the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies was torn from the top to the bottom. Imagine the shock of the priests as they opened the door and prepared to start the new week to find that the two rooms had become one! The Ark of the Covenant with the mercy seat, and the cherubim were all exposed. They had never seen them before. The resurrection of the Lord had opened what had been hidden before. This angel did not appear as an ordinary mortal; this one appeared in all his heavenly glory. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow.

 (Daniel 7:9, Daniel 10:6, Mark 9:3, John 20:12, Acts 1:10)

 4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. 5 And the angel answered and said to the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

 (Mathew 14:27, Matthew 28:10, Revelation 1:17)

 6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 

(Matthew 12:40, Matthew 16:21. Matthew 27:63)

 7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

 (Matthew 26:32, Matthew 28:10, Matthew 28:16, Mark 16:7)

 8 And they departed quickly from the sepulcher with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

 JESUS APPEARS TO THE WOMEN

 These two had just seen the glory of the angel, now they saw the risen Lord himself. 

9 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.

10 Then Jesus said to them, Be not afraid: go to tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

 (Matthew 14:27, Matthew 28:5, John 20:17, Romans 8:29, Hebrews 2:11, Hebrews 2:17, Matthew 26:32, Matthew 28:7, Matthew 28:17)

 This Matthew account does not refer to Peter and John’s rush to the tomb and how Peter dashed right in. John, who arrived first, had hesitated, but Peter did not pause, he went right in. Neither should we hesitate to share the good news. The grave is empty, Our Lord died for us, he was buried, and he arose on the third day. “He lives for ever, and so can you!” That is the gospel message He sent us to share.

 THE GUARD’S CONFESSION OF GUILT

 The guards had a different message. Under Roman law they had permitted the Roman seal to be broken. They deserved to die, and they had to go report what had happened to the authorities. They had to claim to be asleep, though in reality, they probably had not been. Instead the authorities bribed them to spread the Story that they slept on the post. 

11. Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed the chief priests all the things that were done. 

(Matthew 27:65, Matthew 27:66)

 12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,

 13 Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. 

 14 And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him and secure you. 

(Matthew 27:2)

 THE EMPTY TOMB EXPLAINED

 15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day. The “until this day” phrase probably meant until the time of whiting of the gospel of Matthew, but the same is true still until this day in which we live now. The Jews, as a nation, still reject the Lord Jesus who died that they might live.

 (Matthew 9:31, Mark 1:45, Matthew 27:8)

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