This is truly the day that the Lord has made — Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Today, millions of people gather across the globe to celebrate the risen Christ. On Friday this place was standing room only as local church bodies came together from across Dickinson to celebrate and give thanks for the sacrifice of Christ on that cross. Though it was an amazing evening — and I believe God was honored and worshiped — that Friday would mean absolutely nothing without what we’re celebrating this morning. Without the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ — we would have no future hope of our own resurrection — we would have no eternity to look forward to — we would have no savior with the keys of death and hades in his hand — we would be left standing in the rain with no hope and no ultimate purpose and no reason to go on — BUT HE IS RISEN!
The text before us this morning is really broken up into two sections. There are two parts to the whole. The first thing we’ll see is the story of the resurrection account itself — then that is followed immediately by an account of the attempted cover up by the enemy — No sooner than when Christ rose again and took his life back — were there those who opposed him — opposed his resurrection — and suppressed the truth in unrighteousness — as Paul points our in the first chapter of Romans.
Matthew 28:1–3 (LSB)1 Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. 3 And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.
Sabbath had ended and as the dawn approached on that Sunday morning just over 2,000 years ago, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and John — went to the tomb. The body of Jesus wasn’t prepared for burial as it should’ve been since the Sabbath approached and so now that the Sabbath day was over the Mary’s went to the grave, seeking to prepare his body. They were on their way or perhaps nearly there when a “great earthquake” happened. The Scriptures give us the reason for this earthquake and it was bigger than the typical scientific reasoning. That’s what the “for” is there for in verse 2. The earthquake happened because a messenger from God (an angel) came down — and when angels descend from heaven it’s always because they are on a mission from God. This angels mission included two things really. He rolled away the stone from the grave — and then gave a message to the women who had come.
The first thing to know here is that the angel didn’t come to roll the stone away because Jesus needed help getting out. Jesus Christ had the power and authority to lay down his life and to take it up again. He had displayed the power to speak a short sentence and bring the wind and waves into obedience on account of his ultimate sovereignty. So, he who made each atom of every rock certainly didn’t need help moving one of those rocks. No. Jesus walked right through the stone and the seal and the guards as if they didn’t even exist. This is important because when the Chief Priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate and asked that the grave be made secure so no one would steal his body — Mt. 27:65-66 “65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go, make it as secure as you know how.” 66 And they went and made the grave secure, and along with the guard they set a seal on the stone.” They did everything they could. They attempted to make this full proof. There was already a stone placed over the entrance that would’ve needed several men to move it. They then sealed that stone and entrance with the seal of Rome — that Marshall spoke about last week. This seal was a serious thing because to break that seal was to defy Rome — you would be challenging Caesar and his armies — you would be an enemy of the most powerful state in existence — Thirdly, they placed guards to stand watch — and not just any ole guards. They didn’t nab the mall police to make this happen. They placed trained Roman guards at the entrance. These men would forfeit their lives if they abandoned their post or if they fell asleep at their post. — They did everything they could to discourage disciples of Jesus from coming and stealing his body and then claiming that he rose from the dead.Yet, the wisdom of man is folly in the eyes of God — The power of man is an illusion — a mental fabrication on par with the toddler who imagines their building an actual city with blocks. The fact is, they could’ve placed every Roman guard around that grave — and they could’ve excavated a deeper hole to place him in and they could’ve covered up his body with millions of cubic feet of earth — and they could have put whatever seal they would like over it and it’s wouldn’t have been enough. Because they weren’t ever really fighting against keeping disciples out — they were attempting to keep the Lord of Glory in! Jesus rose from the dead and this angel had been sent to roll the stone away so that the women, and later the disciples, could get in and see the empty tomb of Christ. And the angel, like normal in the Bible, frightened everyone there. His appearance was bright and pure white — and he came and rolled the stone away and sat on it, he wasn’t worried about breaking any seal or the heft of the stone or the puny guards at the door.
Matthew 28:4–7 (LSB)4 And the guards quaked from fear of him and became like dead men. 5 And the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. 6 “He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. 7 “And go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you.”
Both the guards and the women were frightened by the sight of this angel. In fact, the guards, we’re told, “became like dead men.” — These hardened Roman guards were frightened to such an extent that they froze. Numb with fear — These men who likely had looked down the spears of enemies — who had battled the enemies with sword and shield — were confronted with something that left them beyond powerless. The angel tells the women that they shouldn’t fear. — Notice he doesn’t say this to the guards. They are pagans who have every right and reason to fear at this moment. — But the women were children of God — They were part of the royal family — so, even though they were confronted with the same frightening scene — they are told they have no reason to fear. Because the angel has come precisely to meet them, and tell them that Christ has risen, let them see for themselves — and then send them on their way to Go Tell it on the Mountain.Jesus had stated multiple times in multiple ways that he would be put to death and that he would rise again on the third day. The Chief Priests and Pharisees knew as much and that’s why they asked for the security of the tomb. And here we learn from the mouth of this messenger from Heaven — that “He is not here, for he has risen, just as He said.” — What God says…happens. There’s no power or planning that can ever thwart God’s plan. There’s no amount of human wisdom or cunning that could manipulate God or twist his thoughts or surprise him. Jesus said he would rise from the dead — And. He. Did. Then the angel tells the women to, not only go, but to “go quickly” — there’s an urgency to the command — this news is literally the crux of creation — it’s the central need and theme of all that has ever happened or that ever will. This is a big moment — and it’s time to spread the news. They were to go tell the disciples the news — and that he’d meet them in Galilee — again just as he had said, back in Matthew 26:32 “32 “But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.”
Matthew 28:8–10 (LSB)8 And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and report to My brothers to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me.”
As children of God are to do, the left immediately and obeyed the word of the Lord. And along the way, as if their joy weren’t enough yer, they are presented with the ultimate proof. They had been able to see into the tomb where his body had laid — but now they were looking at Jesus face to face! And their instant reaction was worship. They are immediately overcome with awe and reverence and adoration of the Risen King and they lay hold of his feet and worship! This is the calling of each of us here today — When we are presented with the truth of the Risen Christ — when we are confronted with the immutable fact that Rev. 1:17-18 “17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, “Do not fear; I am the first and the last, 18 and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forever and ever, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.” When we are hit with this news — we worship! — there are two kinds of people in the world…the people who are confronted with this truth and fall to their knees and, proverbially, Kiss the Ring of the Risen King. And there are those who are confronted with this information and turn and walk away as if they’d heard nothing at all. One is born to eternal life — and one is doomed to eternal death. After they had seen and worshiped Jesus, the command of the angel was reiterated by Jesus and they continued to tell the others the news. — and then we’re confronted with the quick response of the enemy — utilizing that second group of people I just spoke about who would be confronted with the Risen Christ and continue in their hatred of God.
Matthew 28:11–15 (LSB)11 Now while they were on their way, behold, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all that had happened. 12 And when they had assembled with the elders and took counsel together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, 13 and said, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep.’ 14 “And if this is heard before the governor, we will win him over and keep you out of trouble.” 15 And they took the money and did as they had been instructed; and this story was widely spread among the Jews, and is to this day."
The guards came and reported not to Pilate or to their immediate superiors, but to the chief priests — because a failure to defend the seal of Rome was punishable by death. Their best shot was to ask the chief priests for help… since the chief priests would’ve wanted nothing more than the silencing of this news. The soldiers told them everything that had happened. None of the gospels actually describe the resurrection itself — but they describe the events surrounding the resurrection — the security, the empty tomb, the messenger from Heaven — but not the resurrection itself — but whatever that was actually like…these guards were there for it. So they told the chief priests the WHOLE story — these men were confronted with the Risen Christ, just as the women were on their way to tell the others the news. What is the reaction of the chief priests — the elders — the Pharisees or Sadducees that might have been present — They attempt a massive cover up. They are confronted with Christ — and they cover it up — they attempt to suppress the truth in their unrighteousness. — Well, I don’t know if you’ve noticed or not but the NEWS THAT THE LORD JESUS CHRIST HAS RISEN FROM THE GRAVE — THAT HE HAS ACHIEVED VICTORY OVER SATAN, SIN, AND DEATH — IT WASN’T SUPPRESSED AT ALL! We stand here today because of it.
I began this sermon by stating that millions of people across the globe are gathering today to celebrate the risen Christ. But the sad fact is that many who do so actually come together in celebration of something in which they do not truly believe. If you’re visiting today, please know that I’m not necessarily talking about you. Because the sad fact of the matter is that many come together weekly across the globe to celebrate a Christ that they have not believed on for their salvation. In fact, many walk through the doors of churches believing that they’ve been good throughout the prior week — believing they measure up pretty well next to certain people we might point to on social media — believing that God being good, means he would never punish them like they've been taught. He would never do that. Because, after all, how in the world could a loving God send people to Hell — especially for all eternity? That couldn’t be…right?
If that’s you then… I would simply ask you this morning to look at what the Father did to the Son. Look at what had to happen to the one who was completely pure, wholly Holy, absolutely righteous — in order to save sinners. Sin is so bad — so weighty — so wrong — and so unforgivable that for sinners to be forgiven, God the Son had to condescend to this world — a world he created — He had to put himself under the law as a man — He had to walk through temptations, struggles, pain, sorrow — He said it himself in Matthew 16:21 “21 From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day.” — Focus in for a moment on that word “must” — Why “must” it be this way? Why did this HAVE to happen? Well, because from before the foundation of the world, God chose a people to become his people — and this is what it took to reconcile sinners.
Still doesn’t make sense? — See…it’s not so much the sin. It’s not simply the sin that’s so offensive. After all, little white lies are different than mass murder, right? — HEAR ME RIGHT NOW, any of you who haven’t yet been changed — who haven’t been born again — who haven’t been made new in Christ — It is not your sin that damns you — it is whom you’ve sinned against. From the mass murderer to the little white lie — You’ve sinned against the God of the universe — the Alpha and the Omega — the Beginning and the End — You’ve sinned against the one who simply spoke matter into existence — who has said “I am God and there is no other.” — Who has commanded all of mankind to Love the Lord your God with everything in you…with every breath — every heartbeat — every spoken word — every thought dwelt on — every moment of every day of your life — and if you haven’t done that…then you’ve sinned against a God that is so massive and magnificient that it would be sin on his part to not punish you.
So, I would say to you specifically, “choose you this day whom you will serve.” The order of our time of worship this morning wasn’t an accident. We began with a Call to Worship — because even the earth declares the glory of God — and God has called us to worship him and him alone. We then moved into Songs of Adoration — because we realize that he is worthy of our worship. That he is God and therefore he is worthy of our praise and honor and worship. But then we were confronted with the Law of God — The Law of God works like a mirror — it shows us just how much we’ve fallen short of the Glory of God. And oh how we have. This is the Bible. This is what the Holy Spirit of God does to people as they read the Scriptures. They are confronted with the reality of their sin. And if the Law was the end of the matter — if that was the last word — then there would indeed be no hope and we should all grab some tampered with Kool-Aid after this and drink up. Hearing the Law — Being confronted with your sin — should lead to conviction of your sin — which leads to confession and a sort of begging before God.
Next we did just that — You heard read to you a Prayer of Confession from Richard Baxter. And it isn’t a simple prayer to ask Jesus into your heart. No where in all of the Scriptures will you find one verse in which there is a person who invites Jesus into their heart. That’s not a thing. When Jesus wants a heart — he invades it — changes it — uproots the old, rips it out and replaces it with a heart that is broken when it sins — He makes you new — So what you don’t hear in this confession is Richard Baxter praying a quick prayer, asking Jesus into his heart, and then washing his hands like Pilate because he’s done his work. No. This is a man who’s been confronted with his sin by the Law — who understands the magnitude of the God of that Law — and who knows the dire position he’s in. Listen again…
“O most great, most just and gracious God; you are of purer eyes than to behold iniquity. You condemn the ungodly, unrepentant, and unbelievers; but you have promised mercy through Jesus Christ to all who repent and believe in him.Therefore we confess that we are sinful by nature and that we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God. We have neglected and abused your holy worship and your holy name. We have dealt unjustly and uncharitably with our neighbors. We have not sought first your kingdom and righteousness. We have not been content with our daily bread. You have revealed your wonderful love to us in Christ and offered us pardon and salvation in him; but we have turned away. We have run into temptation; and the sin that we should have hated, we have committed.Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father. We confess you alone are our hope. Make us your children and give us the Spirit of your Son, our only Savior. Amen.”
Finally we moved to an Assurance of Pardon — One of the greatest promises in all of the Scriptures is found in 1 John 1:9 “9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” This is an immutable promise from the mouth of God himself — the God of that Law — that if you reach the point in your life that Richard Baxter displayed in that prayer — and you confess our sins to God with all sincerity — then he, in his abundant grace and mercy and love will forgive our sins — not only that but he will cleans us from all of our unrighteousness. This forgiveness — this being made right with God — is only possible because Jesus Christ bore the sins of the sinner — because he bore the wrath of God that was to be poured out on sinners but is now only reserved for those who remain unrepentant — that is, those who never have that heart change I talked about — those who never come to a place in which they can pray and confess as Richard Baxter did — with a sincere mourning for their sins against God — a sincere understanding of their place before him…without Christ. The reality is that either Jesus bore your sin on that Cross — or you will bear it for eternity — either Jesus died for you on that cross — or you will die a death one day far worse than the physical death we will all endure — and either Jesus rose to life so that you could be resurrected to walk in new life with him — or He rose from the dead — and you will walk away from him because of your love for sin — and be left spiritually dead in that sin awaiting your eternal damnation.
And for all who either this morning, yesterday, or a lifetime ago have been confronted with the gospel message of Christ — that is, his death burial and resurrection AND the reason for it — today is the day that changed the course of history — It’s not about eggs or rabbits — It’s not about fake grass in cheap baskets — it’s a day of celebration of the Risen King of Kings and Lord of Lords! — And we come together to celebrate our dying to sin — and our own resurrection to life because of the person and work of Jesus Christ.
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