04.08.2012 Easter - Evidence from an Eyewitness

Thank You, Lord, that we get to celebrate the day that changed history – because You live, now, we can live in You. Because of the resurrection of Christ, someday, these bodies will be changed – there will be a resurrection for us – and we will be with You for all eternity – everything will be new – thank You that has begun already – as we turn to You in faith, a new life started at that point – and we look forward to experiencing that fully. Speak to our hearts – allow us to worship You as we look at the story of Easter and remember what You have done for us. Bless us now, thank You for Your presence – and for allowing us to know You. We don’t deserve it – but You have given it to us – so we offer ourselves to You that You might bless. In Your name we pray – amen.
Today I am going to look at Matthew’s account of the Easter story. There are four gospels, four accounts. Matthew was one of the disciples – Matthew was Jewish and was writing to a Jewish Christian audience. He is accomplishing 3 things in his telling of the account. First – it is his account of the story – he had a lot of information to pass on – it was written maybe 30 years after the first Easter. That is the first thing. Second – He is telling a contextual story – writing to certain people – and because of those people, he is building a case for the reliability of the resurrection. There were people who were denying it and giving stories to deny why it was true – and Matthew is refuting those stories. Therefore, he uses a lot of detail. Because there are details that prove this is true – our faith is based on something solid. There is reason to believe in the resurrection – it historically happened – it is true. If you turn on any of the history channels – you can hear “The story of the Real Jesus” “The Face of Jesus” and those to refute it – and the same thing was happening then. There is nothing new. Third, Matthew is telling a personal story – a story of hope – how the resurrection influences our lives. It is a personal application for us.
Matt. 27: 57 Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. 58 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him. 59 When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed.
First – Joseph was a rich man. In their culture – automatically won respect and reliability. They could be counted on, trusted, and respected – in their culture. Matthew is immediately bringing in – the other thing – Joseph was an elder in the community – a member of the ruling council – someone who could be trusted. Those who witnessed and engaged in the story were reliable people.
He was also showing how Jesus’ death and resurrection fulfill the prophecies – That he would die with criminals but would be buried with the rich.
Next – Joseph rolls a big stone – it was a rich man’s tomb – in probably a nice garden – and they had rolling stone tombs – very clever – like the magazine or group. If you have watched any of the shows – when they show these tombs – they pretty much have that right.
61 And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.
While Joseph is doing this – the women are watching. Why does he say that? One of the stories was that the women went to the wrong tomb. Matthew is clarifying – no, they knew specifically which tomb.
62 On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate, 63 saying, "Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, `After three days I will rise.'
Matthew introduces a second story – these stories go throughout Matthew’s gospel – the story of the disciples and the story of the religious leaders. He will compare and contrast the two. What you find in the gospels – the women and disciples who went to the tomb DID NOT UNDERSTAND what had taken place. They go to the tomb and they think someone has taken him – “Why did you take the body – where did you put it?” – It wasn’t until Jesus opened their eyes that they understood. BUT the leaders – they heard Jesus speak and they got it. But even though they got it – they wanted to suppress it. It is not an intellectual thing that keeps people from Jesus – there is something about the heart that keeps people from Jesus. Things going on - That is not the issue; it is an issue of the heart. The Pharisees wanted nothing to do with it.
64 "Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him [away], and say to the people, `He has risen from the dead.' So the last deception will be worse than the first." 65 Pilate said to them, "You have a guard; go your way, make [it] as secure as you know how." 66 So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.
What Matthew does – he uses their own words – the last deception would be greater than the first – but Matthew points out that the Pharisees are the ones who are trying to deceive. Matthew turns the tables on them.
28:1 Now after the Sabbath, as the first [day] of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came 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 from the door, and sat on it.
A little piece of evidence – it is always women who are the first to see the Lord. In our culture, that is no big deal. But if the gospel writers were trying to prove that Jesus rose from the dead – they wouldn’t have had Him appear to women – they considered them untrustworthy – but I am not saying that is true – but that is how it was in their culture. All the gospel writers chose to use women – because that is the way it happened!
The angel came – there was an earthquake – He rises from the dead and the whole earth shakes! The angel rolled away the stone – and his appearance was like lightning – THAT is really bright. The guards were so afraid they became like dead men.
3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead [men]. 5 But the angel answered and 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 is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
For us – because of Easter and the way we tend to celebrate – this can become awfully familiar – and we take it for granted. Understand that for these women and the soldiers that were guarding – they had no file for this – it was unbelievable – literally – and I think we need to regain the amazement, the astonishment, the beauty of what has taken place.
How do you view the angel? Because it is an angel and I’ve seen so many of them… - I don’t think it was all somber and deep and dark – I think the angel would have been excited. They were watching this story unfold – From the beginning of history – the angels were with the Father and Son and when He becomes a man – they watch with amazement – and then is crucified and dies. And this angel is chosen to go be on site with the first humans come to this grave and to say, He is not here – Surprise – Come and see where he was lying – look at this!
7 "And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you." 8 So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.
Come and see! Now go and tell! Matthew is comparing two stories. Matthew is saying there is a real story to be told. He is giving these women and the disciples the opportunity to tell the story. I think sometimes we see the go and tell part as a duty/command/responsibility – But I hope we understand that it is an incredible story – a story that had never before happened in all of history to tell – something so amazing and unbelievable – incredible – and it is ours to tell. "
8 So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word. 9 And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, "Rejoice!" So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go [and] tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me."
Do not be afraid – go and tell!
11 Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened. 12 When they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, 13 saying, "Tell them, `His disciples came at night and stole Him [away] while we slept.' 14 "And if this comes to the governor's ears, we will appease him and make you secure." 15 So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
So 30-35 years later, they are still telling the second story – but the reality is, there are always two stories. There are two stories today. There is the story of Jesus – of His death and resurrection – and there is another story – and you will believe one or the other – that is the reality – the resurrection leaves no room for middle ground – you have to decide which story to believe – because there is no room in the middle. Christ has been raised from the dead. That is the only hope for life – and it calls us to a choice. This story is a fork in the road – which story will you believe? Will you believe the story of the world or the story of God? The world’s story is based on a lie. It is motivated by greed. All the stories offered by the world are motivated by greed – or fear. Following Christ is costly – putting your faith in Christ – though it is simple and straightforward – it is a costly decision because you are deciding to live for Him – not your story – but His story. You are losing your story in His story.
16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.
You gain a whole new story. Jesus said if you want to find your life – you will lose it. If you lose your life for Him you will find it.
This is the central believe of the Christian faith.
Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again. They put together these statements – it is so simple.
Upon those three statements – 10 words? The entire foundation of Christianity is laid.
In closing – for us – how does it affect our personal story? It guarantees that your sins are forgiven – it takes away your guilt – today – genuinely believing in Christ and losing your life in Him – all of the things you have done wrong are forgiven forever – because of what Christ did on the cross.
Second – the resurrection for us – destroyed death forever. This was the death of death. We will all die sometime – but the power of death is gone. This is the beginning of the new life – that we are only experiencing partially here. Because Christ has been raised – our bodies – as you get older and they begin to fall apart – if you are young you might not believe this – but our falling apart bodies will one day be immortal – they will be imperishable. They will be unbelievable – and we will walk from one to the next. When you get to the point you are ready to leave this one you are ready for the next one.

18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, [even] to the end of the age." Amen.