Title: Resurrection is an ability.
Contents
Title: Resurrection is a Power
Text: Matthew 28:11-15
When the women came into the city, some of the guards went into the city and told the chief priests what had happened. They gathered together with the elders to discuss and give money to the soldiers, saying, “You say, His disciples come by night and steal him while we sleep. And if the governor hears these words, we will persuade you so that you will not be troubled. The soldiers took the money and did as they were taught, and this saying is widespread among the Jews to this day.
I pray that the grace and power of the Lord be with all the saints who worship on Easter morning. Jesus overcame the power of death and rose again. The resurrection of Jesus is a fact that no one can deny. And the resurrection of Jesus is the providence of God that cannot be stopped by anything. It is also a living truth. And while Jesus was alive, he prophesied several times that I would rise from the dead.
Matthew 16:21 says, “From that time on, Jesus Christ began to teach his disciples that he must go up to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised on the third day. “He said.
Also, Matthew 17:22-23 says, “As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to his disciples, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and will be killed, and on the third day he will rise again.” The disciples were very grieved. In this way, the resurrection is the fulfillment of prophecy.
Also, Matthew 20:18-19 says, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and when the Son of Man is delivered to the chief priests and scribes, they will decide to kill him, and will hand him over to the Gentiles to reproach him, to whip him and to crucify him. On the third day he will rise.” Thus, we can see that the tomb was secured in various ways because of the resurrection prophecy that Jesus had made.
1. He tried to prevent the resurrection of Jesus with a man's plan, but he could not.
Matthew 27:62-64 says, “The next day was the day after the preparation day, and the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered together to Pilate, saying, “Lord, we remember that the tempter said while he was alive, I will rise again after three days.” Order that the tomb be secured until three days. His disciples come and steal the body, and they say to the people, "If he says he has risen from the dead, then the temptation will be worse than before."
But their plans were thwarted. We must realize the truth that no one can stop God's plan and will. What if you kick a thorn tree barefoot? It only hurts your feet and hurts. God's plan and will cannot be overcome even by a clear brain nor by the power of power.
Looking at the 2000-year history of Christianity, many people, including Nero's persecution, tried to stop the witness of the Gospel of Jesus, but all failed. And in the end, you must know that you have been judged by God.
2. They tried to stop the resurrection of Jesus by setting up a watchman, but they couldn't.
In Matthew 27:65-66, “Pilate said, ‘You have watchmen, go and strengthen them as you can.’ So they went and sealed the stone and solidified the tomb.” Obviously, I tried to set up strong watchmen, but to no avail.
In the days when Greece and Rome ruled, it was possible to rule because of the strength of the strong army. The US occupation of Iraq was possible because of the military's strength. The May 16 coup in our country was possible because of the strength of the military, and the 12. 12 incident was also possible because we pushed it with the strength of the army.
Similarly, in the resurrection of Jesus, Pilate tried to block it with the power of the army at that time, but it was impossible and failed. The resurrection of Jesus, which is God's plan, cannot be stopped even by the strength of the army. I bless you all who believe in the “power of the resurrection” of Jesus.
3. The tomb was covered with a large stone, but it could not prevent the resurrection of Jesus.
In Matthew 27:66 it says, “They went with the watchman, and sealed the stone and established the tomb.” “Sealing with stones” means to block the entrance of the tomb with a large stone, tie the stone with a rope to connect it to the doorway, and seal the center and both ends of the rope with candles or earth to prevent the stone from moving. The tomb was fortified to prevent anyone from stealing the body of Jesus. In a way, it perfectly sealed the tomb.
But we can see how foolish it is. But was there no resurrection of Jesus? If you believe in the power of God who parted the Red Sea, if you believe in the power of Jesus walking on the water, or if you believe in the power of creating heaven and earth with one word, how foolish is this method?
In the end, despite these circumstances, Jesus overcame the power of darkness and the power of death and rose again. Hallelujah!
Dear brothers and sisters, we need to examine whether God's will and providence have been sealed in our own way. Sometimes my way can't be God's way. God's way must never be artificially sealed. We must obey the will and providence of God. And we must acknowledge the power of God.
4. I tried to stop Jesus' resurrection with money, but I couldn't.
In Matthew 28:12-14 we read, “They gathered with the elders for counsel, and gave the soldiers a lot of money, saying, Say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him while we were sleeping. When we hear from you, we will persuade you so that you will not be troubled.”
They gave the soldiers a lot of money to make them lie. They tried to prevent the resurrection of Jesus by saying that they stole the body of Jesus, but it turned out to be a lie. Because the resurrected Jesus appeared to many people in the form of resurrection after his resurrection.
Dear brothers and sisters, even money (material) could not prevent the resurrection of Jesus. We must not abandon our faith in Jesus because of the temptation of money. We must not become enemies between saints because of material things. Material things should not alienate you from your bond with your servant.
The resurrection of Jesus is power. I pray that this resurrection power will overflow in your life to the fullest and live a life full of vitality.