Resurrection (the meaning behind Easter Sunday)

Resurrection

• Christs resurrection is a historical fact (Matthew 28: 1-15)-Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to see the tomb.  Suddenly there was a great earthquake, because  an angel of the LORD came down from heaven and rolled aside the stone and sat on it.  His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow.  The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.  Then the angel spoke to the women.  ¨Don't be afraid!¨ he said.  ¨I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He isn't here!  He has been raised from the dead, just as he said would happen.  Come, see where his body was lying.  And now, go quickly and tell his disciples he has been raised from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee.  You will see him there.  Remember, I have told you¨.  The women ran quickly from the tomb.  They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to find the disciples to give them the angel's message.  And as they went, Jesus met them.  ¨Greetings!¨  he said.  And they ran to him, held his feet, and worshiped him.  Then Jesus said to them, ¨Don't be afraid!  Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.¨  The report of the Guard: As the women were on their way into the city, some of the men who had been guarding the tomb went into the leading priests and told them what had happened.  A meeting of all the religious leaders was called.  And they decided to bribe the soldiers.  They told the soldiers ¨You must say, 'Jesus' disciples came during the night while we were sleeping, and they stole his body.'  If the governor hears about it, we'll stand up for you and everything will be alright.¨  So the guards accepted the bribe, and said what they were told to say.  Their story spread widely among the Jews, and they still tell it today.  The Great Commission:  Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.  When they saw him, they worshipped him-but some of them still doubted!  Jesus came and told his disciples, ¨I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth.  Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this: I am with you always even to the end of the age.¨  This happened to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary early on a Sunday morning as they were going to tend to Jesus' body.  In those days, they would bring perfumes and oils to apply to the bodies.  The angel told them not to be afraid because Jesus' body was no longer in the tomb.  This had taken place just as Jesus had prophesied it would when he was with the disciples.  The angel had actually told them where Jesus was headed.  They were very frightened then, to think that someone that they knew who had died, could be walking the earth; and felt great joy because they knew this great miracle had happened!  They needed to tell the disciples.  The feeling of joy that they experienced was so great just in knowing that the prophecy had actually been fulfilled!  Everything that Jesus had spoken had now come true before their own very eyes!  They were now seeing that Jesus was indeed raised from the dead just as He had promised.  There could not be a greater experience than that for these women.  And just as they were on their way to tell the disciples, they ran into Jesus!!!  Can you imagine how they had to be feeling right at that moment?  At that point, the guards had to report back to their superiors, the leading priests.  Those leading priests gathered with all the religious leaders, and agreed to tell a lie about what had actually happened.  This was in fear that the public would realize that they wrongfully crucified an innocent man who had done no wrong, and in fear of what the governors actions against them would be.  It was the work of evil so that less souls would come to know the truth; and be saved.  So, out of fear and, as a result of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, a lie is told even till this day.  The Great Commission: the disciples went to meet Jesus in Galilee, and even still doubted though they were actually looking at Jesus risen from the dead (this shows how weak man is or the fallibility of man).  Just then, Jesus told or reminded them that he had authority in heaven and on earth, and commanded them to go and make disciples everywhere, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  The new disciples are to be taught all the commands our God has given, and most importantly to actually obey them.  Obedience is an extremely important part of the Christian's life of success, and we believers should submit if we really want to see God.  And Jesus wants us also to be sure  of his awesome presence in our lives until the end of time.  This is what gives us the strength to submit to the Holy Spirit, and remain in Him.  Because He is with us.  Let us rejoice in His truth!  And in His presence!!  His love endures forever!  Amen!

May the Spirit of the LORD be with you, and continue to bless you and your families this Easter Holiday, and until the end of time, that you remain steadfast in Him, and fulfill your purpose in life, as God has intended for each one of you.   Until the next study, be blessed, and be an amazing part of God's plan!  Happy Easter!  Amen.