Mark 16: 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.
6 “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”
6 “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”
Everything that could go Wrong did. When Jesus rode into Jerusalem in triumph his followers thought that it was finally happening. Jesus would be named “the king of the Jews.”But he began to talk about going away and leaving them. He got into some really hot arguments with the Pharisees and the Sanhedrin. Then he gathered us together for the Passover and said Judas would betray him. That night turned into the longest day of our lives. Interrogation. Cross examination. False witnesses. Beating. Flogging Crucifixion! All our hopes were crushed.
After his burial all kinds of rumors circulated. Some said the tomb was empty. Another said the women had seen an angel on the tomb. Others believed that his body had been stolen to trick people into believing he was still alive. But in spite of it all we began to see that he was alive. We went everywhere and told people about Jesus. That even death could not contain him. We urged them to believe in Jesus and they could have a new life. All the past mistakes, the sorrow and regret would be wiped away. We could believe in him and our lives would change.
If you had time I could tell you about all the men and women who thought it was a privilege to die with the Christ. All of the twelve and Paul died for their testimony.
Justin, Columbia, Valentine and Thomas a Beckett, just to name a few. If you read Hebrews 12 you will see how drastically different the life of a disciple can be. You could attend our Bible study on Wednesday which is focused on these great stories of faith. But when the angel on the tomb challenged the women to believe that Jesus was risen, he started a great movement of faith that still works in our lives today. Faith is the substance of everything we hope for. We don’t expect to get our reward here but have a city built in heaven for us to inhabit. Your imagination can’t outdo what the Father has prepared for those who love him.
When Jesus stepped out of the tomb he proved the Chief priest and the Sanhedrin were wrong. The Romans had it wrong, too. All those who think you can buy or threaten your way to getting what you want. .He made us servants who excel in showing grace to all in need. We are new people: we’re Easter people from now on! Join the song and join the family of Easter people.
Hallelujah! He is risen!This is the day the Lord has made. Rejoice and be glad in it.
Amen.
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