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Matthew 28:6 - JESUS IS RISEN ! ! ! ! ! ! !Matthew 28:6 (KJV) He is not here: for he is risen,INTRODUCTION This simply stated fact is the basis of the Christian faith. [Ryrie SB] Christianity is the only religion whose founder has an empty tomb. [CBN News 4/12/09] Central to the Christian faith is the bodily resurrection of Jesus. By recording over 10 resurrection appearances, the New Testament leaves no doubt about this event. 1. to Mary Magdalene near the tomb (John 20:11-18). 2. to the women returning from the tomb (28:9, 10). 3. to Peter (Luke 24:34). 4. to the disciples on the road to Emmaus in the evening (Luke 24:13-32); 5. to all the disciples except Thomas, who was absent (Luke 24:36-43). 6. to the disciples, including Thomas, on Sunday night one week later (John 20:26-31). 7. to seven disciples beside the Sea of Galilee (John 21:1-25). 8. to more than 500 people possibly on an appointed mountain in Galilee (28:16-20; possibly parallels 1 Cor. 15:6). 9. to James the half-brother of Jesus and the other apostles (1 Cor. 15:7). 10. to the apostles at the ascension (Acts 1:3-11). 11. to Paul on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-6; 22:1-10; 26:12-18; 1 Cor. 15:8). [Believer's and Nelson SB mod.] COMMENTARY All four Gospels give an account of Jesus' resurrection (vv. 1-10; Mark 16:1-18; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-29). Moreover the rest of the New Testament speaks with a tremendous sense of confidence about an empty tomb and the triumph of Christ over death. And no wonder. If true, the resurrection is the most amazing news the world has ever heard. It means there is a God after all. It means that Jesus really is Gods Son. It means that Christ is alive - today - and we can know Him and be touched by His life and power. It means that we need not fear death the way we once did; we are not destined to oblivion but to spend eternity with God. It also means that knowing God is of the utmost importance right now, ... These are important implications, so the question of whether Jesus actually rose from the dead is crucial. At least four lines of evidence indicate that He did: (1) Jesus really was dead. Every source we have indicates that Jesus was publicly executed before large crowds. He was certified as dead by both a centurion in charge of the execution - a professional whose job it was to determine that death had taken place - and by the regional governor, Pilate, who sent to have the matter checked. (2) The tomb was found empty. Jesus' enemies would have been the least likely to have stolen the body. Even if they had, they would certainly have produced it later to refute the claims of the disciples that Jesus was alive. What about Jesus' friends? Unlikely, since the accounts show them to have been very demoralized after the crucifixion. Nor would they have willingly suffered persecution and death for what they knew to be a lie. (3) Jesus appeared after His death to many witnesses. In a garden, on a road, in an upstairs room, by a lake - over a period of forty days. (4) Countless people have encountered the living Jesus and been changed by Him. The resurrection is not simply a matter of intellectual curiosity or theological argument, but of personal experience. From the first century to today there have been innumerable people who have turned from being totally opposed or indifferent to Christianity to being utterly convinced that it is true. What changed them? They met the living Jesus. He has invited them to respond to Him in faith and challenged them to live according to His way. Jesus is as alive now as He was that first Easter morning. He still invites people to know Him today. [Word In Life SB mod] Christ arose from the dead as the first fruits of those that slept. He was the antitype of the wave sheaf, and His resurrection took place on the very day when the wave sheaf was to be presented before the Lord. For more than a thousand years this symbolic ceremony had been performed. From the harvest fields the first heads of ripened grain were gathered, and when the people went up to Jerusalem to the Passover, the sheaf of first fruits was waved as a thank offering before the Lord. Not until this was presented could the sickle be put to the grain, and it be gathered into sheaves. The sheaf dedicated to God represented the harvest. So Christ the first fruits represented the great spiritual harvest to be gathered for the kingdom of God. His resurrection is the type and pledge of the resurrection of all the righteous dead.... During His ministry, Jesus had raised the dead to life.... But these were not clothed with immortality. After they were raised, they were still subject to death. But those who came forth from the grave at Christ's resurrection were raised to everlasting life. They ascended with Him as trophies of His victory over death and the grave. These, said Christ, are no longer the captives of Satan; I have redeemed them. I have brought them from the grave as the first fruits of My power, to be with Me where I am, nevermore to see death or experience sorrow.... To the believer, death is but a small matter. Christ speaks of it as if it were of little moment.... To the Christian, death is but a sleep, a moment of silence and darkness.... At the Saviour's resurrection a few graves were opened, but at His second coming all the precious dead shall hear His voice, and shall come forth to glorious, immortal life. {DA 785-7} CLOSING PEARL The Living Lord What do Socrates, Bach, and Shakespeare have in common? They are remembered as bigger than life, but they are dead and in the grave and can do nothing for you. Walk into the great cathedrals whose spires pierce the sky, and you will see paintings and sculptures memorializing robust men who are still revered and kind women who reached down to the lowly in compassion. But they, too, lie silent in death; they can do nothing for you. But where is Jesus? Sadly, artists too often have depicted Him as feeble, weak, and dead - still hanging on the cross. This is not the truth; for the One who is depicted hanging lifeless and broken on the cross is instead full of the breath of life, full of glory. He drank the cup of sin for all by emptying His life's blood so that He could fill us with the gift of eternal life by His resurrection. Christianity is the faith of the empty tomb, a religion centered not on a dead leader but on the living Lord. Do you celebrate the fact that you worship a living Lord? [Peace for Each Day by Billy Graham] PRACTICAL APPLICATION I Am the Risen One - your living God. Celebrate the Joy of serving a Savior who is exuberantly alive! Rejoice also in My promise to be with you continually - throughout time and eternity. These truths can sustain you through the greatest trials or disappointments you will ever encounter. So walk boldly along the path of Life with Me, trusting confidently in the One who never lets go of your hand. Consider what I offer you: Myself, forgiveness of all your sins, forever-pleasures in heaven. This is all so extravagant and lavish that you cannot comprehend it fully. That is why worshiping Me is so important: It's a powerful way of connecting with Me that transcends your understanding. It also proclaims My Presence. There are numerous ways of worshiping Me: singing hymns and praise songs, studying and memorizing My Word, praying individually and with others, glorying in the wonders of My creation. Serving and loving others with My Love can also be worship. Whatever you do, do it all for the Glory of God - My Glory! (Mat. 28:5, 6; Psa. 42:2; Col. 2:2, 3) [Jesus Always by Sarah Young] SPECIAL RESURRECTION PRAISE SONGS: He's Alive by David Phelps & Gaither Vocal Band https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gGa1w_bnvM Because He Lives by Gaither Vocal Band https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1omW3FWRXY EXCEPTIONALLY GOOD SERMON ON THIS TOPIC Most Important Truth by Pastor Ryan Ashlock https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPKBQeL3vTY LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY Matthew 28:6 - JESUS IS RISEN ! ! ! ! ! ! ! https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240331-0832.html LINK WORTH CHECKING OUT https://abible.com/links/ |