The Word This Week
Matthew 28:1…
Jesus was dead. Crucified. Buried.
That was the end of the story…or so they thought.
If you’ve ever attended a funeral, you know that’s the end of the story. You never expect to see that person again. It’s a very familiar feeling since everyone dies. No one escapes death. Not even Jesus, or so it seems.
This was the downcast nature of Jesus’ followers that Sunday, the day of the Feast of Firstfruits.
It never occurred to them Jesus WAS the Firstfruit.
When the women who came to honor and further care for Jesus’ body arrived at the tomb where the body of Jesus had been carefully lain at Passover, they were surprised and shocked to see the massive stone covering the opening to the tomb had been rolled away, apparently by a great earthquake.
What had happened?
Fortunately, and angel of the Lord descended from heaven to explain. “Do not be afraid, for I know you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen as He said. Come see the place where the Lord lay.”
The ministry of the women at this point became to go and tell. Their hearts shifted from funereal to celebration! But could it truly be?
What more could be required to turn hesitant hearts to believe the words of this angel to full-on belief in everything both the angel said just now, and Jesus had declared prior to His death?
As the women fled away quickly to tell His disciples this amazing and wonderful news, something even greater happened. Jesus met them. No longer dead, but alive.
“Rejoice!”
We rejoice right along with them to this day! The fact Jesus conquered death and dying is the greatest news in the history of the world! The fact Jesus conquered sin for everyone who believes Jesus has risen only makes it sweeter still!!!
Jesus had previously said He came to seek and save that which is lost. To be risen from the dead is absolute proof He meant what He said, and that He has power not only to conquer death, but to conquer sin.
Paul wrote of this event, “…if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart God has raised Him from the dead, YOU will be saved.”
Pastor Bill
Jesus was dead. Crucified. Buried.
That was the end of the story…or so they thought.
If you’ve ever attended a funeral, you know that’s the end of the story. You never expect to see that person again. It’s a very familiar feeling since everyone dies. No one escapes death. Not even Jesus, or so it seems.
This was the downcast nature of Jesus’ followers that Sunday, the day of the Feast of Firstfruits.
It never occurred to them Jesus WAS the Firstfruit.
When the women who came to honor and further care for Jesus’ body arrived at the tomb where the body of Jesus had been carefully lain at Passover, they were surprised and shocked to see the massive stone covering the opening to the tomb had been rolled away, apparently by a great earthquake.
What had happened?
Fortunately, and angel of the Lord descended from heaven to explain. “Do not be afraid, for I know you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen as He said. Come see the place where the Lord lay.”
The ministry of the women at this point became to go and tell. Their hearts shifted from funereal to celebration! But could it truly be?
What more could be required to turn hesitant hearts to believe the words of this angel to full-on belief in everything both the angel said just now, and Jesus had declared prior to His death?
As the women fled away quickly to tell His disciples this amazing and wonderful news, something even greater happened. Jesus met them. No longer dead, but alive.
“Rejoice!”
We rejoice right along with them to this day! The fact Jesus conquered death and dying is the greatest news in the history of the world! The fact Jesus conquered sin for everyone who believes Jesus has risen only makes it sweeter still!!!
Jesus had previously said He came to seek and save that which is lost. To be risen from the dead is absolute proof He meant what He said, and that He has power not only to conquer death, but to conquer sin.
Paul wrote of this event, “…if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart God has raised Him from the dead, YOU will be saved.”
Pastor Bill