In the Name of the Father and of the X Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ and may our Lord and Savior sanctify you in the truth, for His word is truth. Amen

Easter Morning (2011)

Jesus Lives! The Victory Won! Rev. Toby Byrd

Matthew 28:1-10 (ESV)

Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. [2] And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. [3] His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. [4] And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. [5] But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. [6] He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. [7] Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you." [8] So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell 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 tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me."

Early, before dawn on the first day after the Sabbath, two women make their way through the twilight carrying spices and linen to complete an incomplete burial process. You see, on Friday, just three days before, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus had laid the lifeless body of Jesus into a new grave and because of the approaching Sabbath they did not have time to properly prepare the body. As the women make their way toward the tomb, the sun begins to lighten the eastern sky over the Judean hills, ushering in a new day. Usually, the beauty of a rising sun brings joy to human hearts, but this morning there was nothing but sorrow because their Lord, Jesus Christ lay dead in a cold, stone tomb, having been crucified by the Romans. But unbeknownst to these women, this day that begins in sorrow will end in joy and jubilation. On this day, the rising sun in the east Judean hills ushers in a day that is to be remembered and celebrated around the world for all time, on this day God performs a miracle that is above all miracles, His Son, who was dead is raised to life. Jesus lives! and His resurrection proclaims victory over sin, death, and the devil for all mankind. Alleluia, this day is the world’s first Easter Sunday.

As the first rays of the sun chase away the darkness of the night the sad events of what had happened on Golgotha shrouded the women’s minds and hearts with dark clouds of bitter sorrow. It was as if their souls were engulfed in the darkness of death. They had forgotten the Savior’s promise that after three days He would rise again. So encased were their thoughts in sorrow, they gave no thought at all to the great stone that had been rolled in place over the opening of the tomb. Not until they come near the tomb did they think of it, and they asked each other, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” (Mark 16:3 ESV). Therefore, you can imagine how startled they were when arriving at the tomb they find the stone rolled away.

Bewildered and anxious by these turn of events, confusion begins to cloud their thinking. However, as they ponder their next move, an angel appears in all its brilliance and announces to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you” (vv. 5-7).

How their hearts must have leaped for joy when they are told that Jesus was just no longer in the tomb, but that He has risen! He is alive! This message, given the women by the angel, is the Easter message for all time. This is the message that shall engage our hearts and minds today and for all time. Therefore, under the gracious guidance of the Holy Spirit, let us dwell upon the truth that Jesus Lives! The victory Won!

It was natural that these women who encountered these extraordinary events at the tomb that morning should be filled with fear and trembling. However, the appearance of the angel calms their fears. The angel knew the women sought Jesus who was crucified. Furthermore, the angel was also aware that they were expecting to find a corpse, cold and lifeless. Thus when the women arrive at the tomb, the angel urges them to come and see the place where Jesus had laid.

What did these women see? This is the burning question that we ought to be eager to know for we, too, should “Come, see the place where he lay.” However, today, you and I cannot go boldly to the grave near Golgotha, but we can go to the inspired writings of Holy Scripture and there see what the women saw. What we see in Scriptures is just as certain as though we were with these Galilean women in the tomb. Leaping from the pages of Holy Scripture, God brings the account of what actually happened on that first Easter morning, fresh and bold into our hearts and minds.

The women saw an empty tomb. On the previous Friday, that first Good Friday, they had carefully observed Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus place the body of Jesus in the tomb. However, today, when they look into the tomb, the body of Jesus has disappeared. Had the enemies of Jesus come and stolen His body? Obeying the angels command, the women quickly return to the house where the disciples are and tell them the body of the Lord is missing. In fact, Mary Magdalene reports, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him” (John 20:2 ESV). Alarmed at their report, Peter and John rush to the tomb only to find it as the women had said; empty.

After reporting to the disciples, Mary Magdalene, still dumbfounded by the events of the morning, returns to the tomb in hopes of finding the body of her Lord. Uncertain of what she should do, Mary simply stands weeping outside the open tomb. Suddenly, two angels appear, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, and they ask her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” Mary replies, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him” (John 20: 13 ESV). Then, for some reason, Mary turns and standing in front of her is our Lord Jesus, but she doesn’t recognize Him. Thinking that He is the gardener, she hints that He may be the one who has taken the body of Jesus. Now some might think that Mary is so overcome with grief that she is grasping at straws, thinking Jesus is the gardener. However, when we look at the evidence in the tomb, it’s apparent that Jesus’ body is not missing as a result of grave robbers, who would have hurriedly done their work. All within the tomb is as it should be; clean and neat. The burial cloths in which the body of Jesus was wrapped are neatly folded and laid aside. A robber would have taken the body in great haste, burial cloths and all, especially since there were soldiers standing guard.

Thus, once more, a messenger from God appears and declares that Christ has risen as He said, removing any semblance of doubt.

However, to ensure the message is clear our Lord Jesus asks Mary, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Still thinking He is the gardener who has taken her Lord from the tomb, Mary replies, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away” (John 20: 15 ESV). Then, moved by compassion, our Lord says to her, “Mary” and immediately she recognizes His voice and cries out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (John 20: 16 ESV). What the angels have said is true! With her heart bursting with tears of joy, Mary runs back to the disciples and tells them, “I have seen the Lord” (John 20:18 ESV) and she relates to them all that Jesus has said to her.

The evidence is clear; their beloved Lord was no longer in the realm of the dead. Although death had fastened its grim fetters upon Him, though it had done its very worst and rendered Him a corpse, though it seemed on Good Friday as though it had won a decided victory over Christ and had destroyed every ray of hope in His followers; Christ had now torn deaths fetters into shreds. He had triumphed over the ruthless foe, torn open the terrible jaws of that grim monster, and come forth in victory, alive! Even though these women had not personally seen the resurrection, the evidence was overwhelming proof of its truth. Moreover, this truth became iron-clad when our Savior appears to them as they are returning to the city. This news broke the bitter sorrow that had begun the day and replaced it with the overwhelming joy of knowing that the resurrection is true. Their eyes had beheld many wonders and now the eyes of their faith were opened like never before.

“Come and see,” is the message I would proclaim to you today. Take up your Bible and read what God’s Word says concerning the account of the resurrection of Him who went into death for your sake. Our heavenly Father has given us a wealth of evidence to convince you that Jesus Christ, the Crucified, has actually risen from the dead. The angel proclaimed it. The women saw Him. Individual disciples saw Him and more than 500 beheld Him at one time. They touched Him. They saw the marks of the nails in His hands. Even doubting Thomas, who went for a week disbelieving the reports of our Lord’s resurrection, was so convinced when he saw Him that he shouted out, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). Therefore, I say, “Come and see.” You can convince yourselves. There is more than abundant evidence. More than one man has tried to dispel the truth of the resurrection, only to come to the obvious conclusion that the resurrection was a real event; a true miracle of God. Our Lord, Jesus Christ was dead and then made alive again. You might as well deny that the sun rises in the east as to deny the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

However, there is more for you to come and see than the mere facts of our Lord’s resurrection. Our Lord Jesus died on the Cross, but His death had a purpose, He entered into death as our Substitute. His reason for coming to earth was to atone for our sins. This was His mission; this is why He had to die. He was bringing His blood and His life as the perfect and final sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin. The very fact that He came forth again proves that His sacrifice was sufficient. For in His resurrection God pronounces His absolution to us. God is satisfied. We have been redeemed. We have been reconciled unto God. Furthermore, in order to save us from sin, death, and the devil, Satan had to be overcome. Christ entered into that battle for our sake. He fought for us unto His death. Thus His resurrection proves that He gained the victory; Jesus Lives! The victory Won!

Our heavenly Father teaches us to say: “Death is swallowed up in victory." "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" . . . . But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:54-57 ESV). Just as our Lord Jesus arose from the dead, He can surely raise us on the Last Day, as He has promised. He is our resurrection and life. Because He lives, we shall also live.

All this is great news to all of you sitting here this morning listening to God’s promise of eternal life through the life, death, and resurrection of His only begotten Son, but how about all those who are not here, all those who have not heard, are they to be ignored and shunted aside as so much refuse. No! Just as the angels bid the women to go and tell the disciples, who were cowering in fear of the Jews, doubting all they had learned when they were with Jesus, the Easter message bids us to go and tell the lost; those who do not know our Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior from sin. Our Lord Jesus Christ came to save sinners and He relies on us to get that message out. If we ourselves have heard of the glorious victory which Christ gained for us by His resurrection from the dead, if we know that this has established beyond all doubt the certainty of our redemption, if we are convinced that sin, death, and hell have been overcome and that salvation is now a reality, if we are assured that all men may have a part in this victory by faith in Christ, then the very joy which we ourselves have experienced ought to move us to go and tell this wonderful, saving truth to others.

Do you know some poor soul that is troubled and filled with sadness? Go and tell them that Christ has risen from the dead. Assure them that this firmly established the great work of their redemption. Do you know of someone who has forsaken Christ and is wandering about in the uncertainties of life? God and tell them that Jesus, who was crucified for them, is risen indeed. Tell them that Christ is seeking them, calling them to faith. Do you know of someone who has never heard the message of salvation in Jesus and are living in ignorance and darkness and are heedlessly traveling the way that leads to eternal death? God and tell them the Christ is risen and by His death on the Cross, He has established their salvation. Tell them that the risen Christ has called them to turn from the world and unto Him for salvation. You, through God’s Word, have the message that saves sinners from hell; therefore, proclaim it wherever you go!

It is my fervent prayer that you and I may personally rejoice today from the very depth of our hearts! The truth of that first Easter furnishes you and me with more than abundant cause for joy. Therefore, let us swell with anthems. Let us sing praises unto our Savior, who has procured blessings for each of us beyond our wildest imaginations. Then, filled with an exuberant Easter joy, let us go forth from here, uplifted, to perform the task which God has set before us. Let us faithfully live our lives of faith, led by the Holy Spirit, performing our calling to proclaim our Lord Jesus Christ and the salvation He has won for all mankind to those who need the joy of Easter as well.

Come and see Jesus Lives! The Victory Won! Amen.

May the Peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.