APR 3 - He Has Risen, Just As He Said
28 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2 There was a violent earthquake, and an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
Matthew 28: 1-10 NIV
Jesus had been saying this since he started his ministry. He told his disciples many times, “I’m going to die, but then I’ll come back to life, this is God’s will and plan to save humanity.”
And while they all agreed, they didn’t believe.
It’s why Peter denies Jesus, it’s why Thomas (We’ll learn about him next week) denies his reappearance.
You can agree with Jesus, but do you believe Jesus? Do you believe God’s will and plan for your life? Do you believe he wants you to live in heaven after you die? Do you believe he died for your sins?
Let’s take a look at the verse above.
The angel rolls the rock over, but Jesus was already gone. Why?
To be a witness and prove the tomb is empty.
To be a participant and give humanity access to the miracle of the resurrection.
God keeps his word. If he tells you something, believe it.
This weekend we saw thousands of people in our church, many will be witnesses to the empty tomb. But how many will be participants to the miracle of the resurrection?
Because Jesus lives, we get to live. Because Jesus died, we get to live. All credit and all glory belongs to him.
Are you a witness or a participant to the miracle of the resurrection?
Do you agree with Jesus, and do you believe in Jesus?