Jesus is Risen!

N.T.#319 "Jesus is Risen!"

June 4, 2024 

Matthew 28-Part 2

LET IT GLOW 

It is speculated that on Saturday night after the Sabbath, Mary, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Clopas, acting as a male guardian, departed Jerusalem at sundown and traveled to Bethany to meet with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Presumably, the other 9 disciples would be there after Jesus' arrest. 

It is likely that John, Salome, and possibly Zebedee, along with Mary, Jesus' mother, were at John's home. Peter joined them around this time if he had not already spent the Sabbath there. Joanna and Susanna would have been at or near the Hasmonean Palace. (Swindoll)

It is likely that the groups did not know about the guards posted at the garden. It seems that the 4 women made plans to finish the preparation of Jesus' dead body. 

What happened?

• Very early on Sunday morning as it was dark, Mary Magdalene, Mary the wife of Clopas went towards the tomb of Jesus.
• Jesus had already risen from the dead before this.
• They met Salome in Jerusalem and walked north through the city, out a gate, and to the garden of Joseph of Arimathea. (Mark 16:3) 
• It is likely they planned to meet Joanna and Susanna with the spices there. Probably they were awaiting the male disciples to arrive. 
• There was a great earthquake.
• In the meantime, an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and rolled back the stone from the doorway, then sat upon it.

These were a group of women on a mission. They knew what needed to be done and they went to do it. Those ladies did not wait around for someone else to get the job done. Their love for the Master superseded all else duties. 

Countless folks in our area have risen early to help meet the needs of tornado victims in our area. They cook meals and serve them, provide a place to sleep, and are used by the Lord to share His love during this time of mending.

How are you serving the Lord where you are?

LET IT GROW

That all took place in the first two verses. Let's look closely at the scene. The angel of the Lord, who was sitting on the huge stone that he had rolled away from the door, had a face shining like lightning and clothing as white as snow. The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and fell into a dead faint. (verses 2-4)

Don't you think the women froze still, gasping for air as they saw the sight-the angel, the open tomb, fainted guards? Scared to death, in other words, I think.

So the angel saw their fright and spoke to the women:

• Fear not ye. (verse 5) He could tell the ladies were afraid of him, so immediately the angel comforted and reassured them.
• For I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
• He is not here: for He is risen, as He said.
• Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
• Go quickly, and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead.
• He goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see Him.
• Lo, I have told you.  (verses 5-7)

When the shock of the angel finally subsided, the women entered the tomb, and they did not find the body. (Luke 24:3) The afraid women encountered two more angels inside the tomb, bowed down with faces to the ground. 

Why seek ye the living among the dead? (verse 5) That is what the angels said. The directions for them was repeated. 

The women returned to the 11 disciples and shared what they had seen and experienced.

So much happened that early morning. Had those women not gone ahead to the tomb, they would have missed out on the excitement-Jesus is risen from the dead!!

Dear one, it takes faith for us to believe this all happened. do you have the faith that God could raise Jesus from the dead? Whether we believe it or not, it did happen. The Bible is Truth, for Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes unto the Father God except through Him. (John 14:6)

LET IT GO

And the angels sing "Holy"; all creation sings "Worthy is the Lamb of praise and glory."

Thank You Jesus for suffering for me, a sinner, and providing a way for me to enter heaven.

Jesus, we praise You!