Introduction: In this passage of scripture we find several proofs of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is important because as Christians, we are partakers of certain benefits because Jesus rose from the dead. Jesus conquered death and we too will rise with Him. We are no longer in our sins. We have eternal life with Jesus Christ. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a crucial event for the believer.
1. The Rolled Away Stone– Vs 4 “they saw the stone was rolled away”. Mark 15:43-47 “and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulcher”. This very great stone was rolled away supernaturally. This stone was not rolled back for the benefit of Jesus but for the witnesses to the resurrection- John 20:1-10. When Jesus rose from the dead, he was in His resurrection body which has no physical bounds. However, the witnesses needed to enter the tomb to see the truth.
2. The Angel Clothe in White– Vs 5-6 “they saw a young man sitting on the right side”.
- This angel rolled the stone back for the witnesses- Matthew 28:2 “And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it”.
- This angel took care of the soldier guarding the tomb of Jesus Christ- Matthew 28:4
- This angel reassured the women and ministered to them- Mark 16:5 “and they were affrighted. vs6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted”.
- This angel proclaimed the resurrection of Jesus- Mark 16:6 “he is risen; he is not here”. Gave them direction Vs 7 “go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee”.
3. The missing Body of Jesus Christ– Vs 6 “he is risen; he is not here”. The best news that a sinner could have ever received was this, he is risen, he is not here. All other false gods are dead and have not risen from the dead. Matthew 27:62-66- the tomb was guarded and there was no way for the body of Jesus to be stolen. The missing body of Jesus Christ is something they tried to cover up to make people believe that it didn’t happen- Matthew 28:11-15.
- The women enter the tomb- Vs 5.
- The angel verified that Jesus was Crucified- Vs 6 “Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified” . Mark 15:43-45 Jesus was verified to be dead”.
- The angel proclaimed- Vs 6 “he is risen, he is not here”.
- The women “beheld” that Jesus was not there. They saw the place where Jesus was laying and the body was missing. Mark 15:47 the saw Jesus before the stone was rolled into place.
4. The Fulfillment of the Lord’s Promise– Vs 7 “he goeth before you into Galilee”. Here we see the fulfillment of the Lord’s promise- Mark 14:28 “But after I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee”. This is important because He said he would do it and He did it- Matthew 28:16-20.
The promises of God are unfailing, fulfilled on schedule, kept by faith, confirmed by Christ, and exceedingly great.
5. Christs’ Appearance to Mary Magdalene– Vs 9-10 “he appeared first to Mary Magdalene”. John 20:11-18. Mary loved Jesus and held Him closer to her heart with much devotion.
- Mary had been forgiven and healed from so much- Mark 16:9 “cast seven devils”.
- Mary was at the cross during Christs’ crucifixion- Mark 15:40
- Mary was there when the body of Jesus was taken down from the cross- Mark 16:47. Meanwhile all of the disciples who said they would follow Jesus through anything Mark 14:31 had left Jesus Mark 14:50 “And they all forsook him, and fled”.
- Mary refused to leave the tomb after Peter and John verified that the body was missing John 20:11.
6. The Disciples Unbelief– Vs 14 “because they believed not”. If the resurrection of Jesus Christ were a fabricated story, the main characters, which are the disciples of Jesus Christ, would have “believed perfectly” and have been the heroes. But they were human, they doubted, they didn’t believe, they had a hardness of heart, and this story is told exactly the way it happened, its the truth, it’s real. The truth, exactly what happened, is being told simply and clearly by honest and moral eye witnesses. Regardless of the disciples unbelief, Jesus Christ truly resurrected from the dead.
Conclusion: The resurrection of Jesus Christ is crucial to the Christian faith. Because of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ we can have eternal life- John 14:19. And because of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ we have a blessed hope Colossians 3:4. Believe it and rejoice in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Anchor Baptist Church 