Title: Rolled Stone Gate / Matthew 28:1-10
Contents: March 11, 1993: Early morning service for Easter
Praise and worship, Lord God of glory and victory, who turns darkness into light and death into new life. We came out this morning with the joy and faith of the Resurrection. Forgive us and lead us on the path to eternal life, in the name of the risen Jesus.
Chapter 135 Apostles' Creed 150 Chapter 155
Matthew 28:1-10 Rolled Stone Gate At dawn on the first day after the Sabbath, women were running toward the tomb to anoint Jesus' body and to put spices on it. These women loved Jesus so much that they were stuck during the Sabbath. After the Sabbath, they got up early in the morning and went to the tomb, but they blocked the entrance to the tomb and ran away worrying about who would move the stone door.
Mark 16:3 Worried, 'Who will roll the stone from the door of the tomb for us?'
Because humankind has been thinking about solving this problem, many philosophers have tried to solve this problem, and many religious leaders have tried to meditate, contemplate, pray and pray to solve this problem, but no one could move this great monster of death.
But here in the text this morning, our Jesus brought the answer. Jesus kicked off a tomb that no one could roll and brought the victory of life and the hope of eternal life.
Here are three problems that women worried about as they headed for the tomb. 1. This stone is too big.
2. The Roman emperor's law was stamped on this stone.
3. This stone is guarded by armed soldiers.
There are three difficult problems here for mankind as well.
1. This death is a fatal problem that cannot be solved by any force.
2. That this death is God's punishment for breaking God's law.
Beloved, that the wise kings did not get an answer,
The woman and I who found the tomb at dawn this morning, I hope you and I have found the answer. Those women were worried, but the big stone has already been rolled and moved. And the tomb was empty. Jesus is resurrected. He rose again and became the Lord of life. Hallelujah!
The grave is no longer a place of sorrow. It is not a place of despair. It became the gateway to eternity.
1. Please believe that the stone gate moved here is the stone tomb gate of life. The tomb, the house of death, was sealed tightly with a large stone, but an angel rolled the stone and Jesus was victorious in the resurrection. The empty tomb of Jesus Christ shows that our sins are taken away forever, that is, the power of sin is forever broken. Now we believe that death is never death to those who are in Christ Jesus, and that the power of sin cannot take hold of us.
2. The stone gate rolled here is a monument to victory. Those who crucified Jesus may have thought that they have won because they killed Jesus Christ and raised the toast. But their joy was short-lived. They had no choice but to tremble in fear. On the morning of the resurrection, he broke the door of death and was victorious, so neither the stone gate nor the guards were of any use to guide the Roman emperor. That is why the Apostle Paul could cry out, 'O death, what is your sting?
Beloved, Jesus is the head and we are his members. If Jesus, the head, has triumphed, we believe that it is natural for us, who are his members, to win. So, don't let sorrow blind your eyes from seeing Jesus rightly. Please don't let fear offend you. Surely we win because Jesus overcame.
Dear friends who welcome this morning with the faith of the Resurrection,
Please believe that your victory is guaranteed. Therefore, please do not be afraid of all the forces that boldly challenge our lives. Jesus says: “In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world!” Amen