Title: He Is Risen / Matthew 28:1-10
When the Sabbath was over and the first day after the Sabbath was coming, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb, and there was a great earthquake, and an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and rolled a stone and sat on it, and her figure was like lightning, and her clothes were like snow. It was white as well, and those who stood up were afraid of him, and trembled and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid. I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here, but is risen, just as he said. Come and see where he lay. Go quickly and say to his disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead, and he is going before you into Galilee, and there you will see him.’ Behold, I have told you.” . .
This morning the women came to see the tomb of Jesus. “When the Sabbath was over and the first day after the Sabbath had come, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb” (verse 1). Because the dead Jesus was buried in the tomb, the women went to the tomb to express their love to see the body of Jesus, but to their surprise, they met the living Jesus instead of the body. This is the power of God, a supernatural miracle. A supernatural miracle God who does not stay on the level of nature allowed these women to meet the resurrected Jesus. God's work that transcends human imagination has taken place. Ever since we got to know and meet Jesus, we too live a supernatural spiritual life that exceeds human expectations every day.
The tomb was open. This is not something women can do. But God can. Ask God if any grave is blocked with a stone. Behold the power of the risen Jesus. God can even remove clogged stones. Even the dead can be raised. Easter Sunday is a day of supernatural miracles. It is a day when God shows the extraordinary to those who expected ordinary things. An earthquake occurred. God shook the earth and showed his greatness. When a strong angel appeared, the guards trembled with fear and became like the dead.
The angel's first message of the resurrection to the women is, “Do not be afraid” (verse 5). One of the greatest human problems is fear. Fear, the same kind of anxiety, worry, and worry, paralyzes us and breaks our body, mind, and soul. Those who do not know the risen Lord are afraid of life. Because life itself is much greater than one's own abilities. If you have worries, worries, and fears because of a difficult life this morning, please listen to these words from the risen Lord through angels.
“From now on, don’t be afraid. What can God, who raised the dead, do for you? What will God not give you, who gave his only begotten Son? don't be afraid Don’t worry.” May the Holy Spirit work in your hearts to completely remove your fears. I hope that your worries and worries will go away.
Removing fear from our lives is a priority. If you hear a scary voice somewhere in your heart and feel anxious, it is not from God. It is the voice of the devil, the voice of the world, and the voice of the flesh. Whoever we are, in any circumstance, anytime, anywhere, when the forces that frighten us come upon us, command this. “In the name of the resurrected Jesus Christ, I command you to go away, fear! Get away!” God has not given us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of love. We must be careful not to arouse fear, anxiety, anxiety, or doubt in others. If you have a habit of frightening your children, I urge you in the name of the resurrected Jesus Christ. Encourage your child, but don't let them indulge in fear. Hear the first words of the risen Jesus. The Lord who conquered death can conquer anything in this world. Those of you who have come with anxiety, worry and fear in your heart, please listen to Jesus' voice and remove your fears at this time. Please leave this place with hope and courage.
The angel's third resurrection message is, “Look at the place where he lay” (verse 6). He presented the evidence of the resurrection to those women. The Christian faith is never blind. When God asks us to believe, we never just do it. Always show enough evidence to believe. After saying, “Be still and see what God is doing now,” he parted the Red Sea in front of the Israelites. God made them experience the miracle of the Red Sea and then commanded them to enter the Jordan River. Today, God shows us that God is alive through faith in the Word and past experiences. Because we have already experienced grace, we can live by faith tomorrow as well. Let's hear the voice of the risen Lord, "Do not be unbelievers, but become believers" (John 20:27). I earnestly hope that you will cast away all doubts, worries, and anxieties that remain in your heart, and experience God's power to raise the dead.
The women responded in two ways. That is, fear and joy. “The women left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to make known to the disciples” (verse 8). The fear at this time is not ‘fear’ but ‘awe’. In other words, it is not fear, but the awe we feel when we see the God of the great and infinite power, the God of resurrection. This is the reverence that people who have met God feel whenever they think of God. Holy and great Creator, God of Resurrection, even though I am weak and have many mistakes and sins, I feel awe when I come to know the God of grace who will hold me to the end, guide me, and give me final victory. May the fear of God renew in your hearts this morning as well.
They also had great joy. An amazing history that was not even imagined appeared. You have met the risen Lord! When we are weak and we make mistakes, wander, and fail to do our jobs properly, the God of the Resurrection can renew your life. No matter what kind of failure you have gone through a failed life, a failed business, a failed parenting God can renew you. The Lord of the Resurrection always gives us hope. Our expectations are only human, but God can renew our lives at any time by supernatural miracles. The power of resurrection who renews dead families, dead businesses, and dead souls is also appearing before you at this hour today. Since you and I met Jesus and experienced the power of the resurrection, we must now become witnesses of the resurrection. Wherever you go, witness like these women. “Jesus is risen. It has the power of resurrection. Let us trust in the risen Lord!” May we appear as witnesses of the resurrection, encouraging one another.
Jesus meets us. “Jesus found them and said to them, ‘Are you in peace?’ Then the women came and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee. There you will see me’” (verses 9-10). Jesus meets us and speaks to us who are trembling in fear. “Do not be afraid. The risen I will be with you. Find me whenever you need me. I will meet you.” The resurrection gives hope to those who are discouraged. It gives you courage when you lose strength. Shines light in the dark. Gives you a rest when you are tired. He gives you eternal joy that transcends death.
The resurrection of the wicked and the righteous awaits us. When the Lord returns one day, all those who were born and died in this world will come back to life. The question is whether the resurrection of the wicked or the resurrection of the righteous. There are only two ways in life, whether it will be the resurrection of the righteous who are justified by being washed with the blood of Jesus Christ, or the resurrection of the wicked who are judged in despair regardless of Jesus Christ. If any of you have not yet accepted in your heart that this morning the risen Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is your Savior, please welcome him as your Savior before you leave this place. That is why I sincerely hope that you and I will be part of the resurrection of the righteous at the end of our lives on this earth and enjoy eternal glory in the kingdom of God.
We, who were crucified with Christ, were buried with Him, and now have new life with Him, have the hope of resurrection and earnestly hope that we will live by holding on to the cross until the final victory through the power of resurrection.