Old Llantrisant Hill
Introduction
- What is it like to see a friend die?
- What is like to see such brutality?
- What is like to feel a failure?
- What is like to be betrayed?
- These were the feelings of the disciples
- Yet Sunday was coming
- The sun was rising
- A new era was dawning
- The curse of sin and death was over for those who trust in Jesus Christ
- A conquering Saviour
- Christianity is based upon the historical, literal and physical resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead
- As Christians, we are sure that God raised His only Son from the dead
- Overview:
- A outstanding revelation
- A divine encounter
A Outstanding Revelation
- Angel appearances were rare
- At Jesus’ birth – many angels to herald His birth
- In Jesus’ life – a few angel appearances in the desert and the Garden of Gethsemane
- No angels at the cross
- Two angels appear
- In all four gospels – but focussing on Matthew’s account (Matt 28:1-2)
- They appear to:
- Mary Magdalene
- The other Mary
- Accompanying signs:
- "Behold"
- An earthquake – here and at the cross
- Their actions:
- Rolled back the heavy stone
- Sat down – their action has been completed
- The stone has been rolled back to let the women see (not to let Jesus out)
- The guards become like dead men
- They speak to the women
- The women were seeking Jesus with no hope or expectation
- Ps 23 – reminds us of the hope in God
- Their sorrow blinds them
- Mary did not understand He had risen from the dead
- Jesus is not here
- Folded grave clothes
- How do you explain the empty tomb?
- A swoon – no (examples why not)
- A stolen body – no (examples why not)
- Have you examined the evidence?
- Go quickly (to Galilee)
- A despised region where the most converts were made
- It shows that Jesus is King of the Jews and the King of the Gentiles
- No rebuke but for Jesus to meet them in a ‘good’ place
- Remember that Jesus is a wonderful gracious Saviour
- The women’s response – the went quickly
A Divine Encounter
- The women were obedient, they stayed at the cross, they went to the tomb
- The men had abandoned Jesus
- They had the privilege of first seeing the risen Saviour
- Jesus meets them and says "Rejoice"
- He speaks few words after the resurrection
- Sometimes few words are needed
- More than a greeting – hope, trust and rejoice
- Despite mankind doing their worse – Jesus has risen from the dead
- Jesus speaks peace
- Jesus says rejoice – do you need this word this morning?
- The women worship Jesus
- Jesus repeats the angels words
- He reassures them
- He will meet with them
- Do you believe the Easter story?
- We will die – how will you face death?
- Job was confident "My redeemer lives"
- Ps 49:15, 73:24
- Can you say this?
- What do you believe in?
- Do you believe in yourself?
- Do you believe in Jesus Christ?
- An everlasting kingdom in Jesus Christ