He Arose - Preaching The Cross

He Arose
Luke 23:55 – Luke 24:1-7

INTRO: Good morning church! As we continue our look at the cross today we will be starting with Luke 23:55-56 – “And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid. Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.” Continue with me at Luke 24:1 – “1. Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared.”[NKJV]

It had no doubt… been a somber and agonizing Sabbath day for the disciples of Jesus. Mark’s gospel tells us that “they mourned and wept” (Mark 16:10). We can understand and appreciate this grief. Through the gospel records we see the closeness of the disciples interactions with Jesus, their Lord and Master. It was more than simply a “teacher/student” relationship, and the manner in which He had been taken from them contributed to the pain they felt, and the grief they endured. From what we see in scripture I believe that among the disciples there were no expectations of resurrection on that Saturday. They intended to go to the tomb on that first day of the week for the final burial preparations. As the first day of the week dawned they most assuredly were not prepared for what they found! We remember, it had been Friday, now it is Sunday. We begin our thoughts today early on that Sunday morning.

I. EARLY ON SUNDAY MORNING

A. Turn in your bibles with me to the sixteenth chapter of the gospel of Mark. Mark 16:1-3 – “1. Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. 2. Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. 3. And they said among themselves, "Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?''” “And very early in the morning the first day of the week...”

1. You recall that Joseph & Nicodemus had taken the body of Jesus and laid it in Joseph’s own tomb. There had been some preparation for burial but it had been late on the day before the Sabbath. They were rushed to complete what they could before the Sabbath would begin.
2. The Sabbath is now past and the women were coming to finish the burial process according to the customs of the day.
3. They are concerned because they recall having seen a very large stone rolled across the entrance to the tomb. They ask among themselves “who is going to roll away the stone?” To you and me that may not seem like a great concern, we would imagine we would find someone to help. Yet, no matter how small the issue might seem to us, what they are asking tells me that they have no expectation, what so ever, that Jesus is going to rise from the dead. Their concern is on who is going to roll away the stone. They had no idea that when they arrived the stone might already be rolled away. They did not understand that on the third day He would rise again.

B. As we continue, Luke’s gospel tells us in verse 2 of chapter 24. Luke 24:2-7 – “But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb.” They needed the stone rolled away so they could prepare the body of Jesus for its final internment. They arrive and they find the stone rolled away from the tomb… and they enter.

1. “3. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4. And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. 5. Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6. "He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, 7. "saying, `The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.' ''”
2. They had been worried about the rolling away of the stone, and when they arrive they find the stone is rolled away. Then they enter the tomb and the body of Jesus is missing! They were very perplexed, we might say confused. They had seen Jesus body laid in that tomb and now they are faced with the fact: the body of Jesus was not there!
3. But there is good news - “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen!"
4. These “two men”… are doubtless angels sent from God for this very purpose. They remind those women of what had been said over and over again by the Lord. Oh yes, - it is His lot to suffer and to die but always He said He would rise again. There are in Luke 9:21-22, these words of Jesus which finally… they remember! – “And He strictly warned and commanded them to tell this to no one, saying, "The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.''”

C. You are probably thinking, wait, you skipped over something, and I did. What about this business of the guards that were put at the tomb? We remember that because the enemies of Jesus asked Pilate to do something to prevent anything happening which would give anyone cause to claim that He had been raised from the dead. Pilate told them to take a guard, and make the tomb as secure as they could. “So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.”

1. What happened? The stone was rolled away, the body of Jesus missing. How is this going to be explained?
2. Going to Matthew 28:11-15 – we read about how all this is going to be explained. “Now while they were going, (that is the women going to tell the disciples) behold, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened.”
3. “12 When they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers,” (in other words they bribed them) 13 saying, (here is why they bribed them) “Tell them, ‘His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.’ 14 And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will appease him and make you secure.” 15 So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this saying ( that is, the saying that His disciples stole His body by night) is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.”
4. It was important to the Jewish leaders that nothing happen that could give rise to a claim of Jesus resurrection. Now that the tomb is empty, they have to concoct a story, an explanation. Something has to be said to explain why the tomb is empty or else His disciples are going to say “He is risen!” What they came up with was to bribe the soldiers to say that His disciples came by night and stole away his body. A plausible explanation for the empty tomb. (or was it really plausible?)
5. The fact that money was paid labels their report as false; no bounty would have been required to tell the truth. Interestingly the record says that this was the explanation still being believed at the time of the writing of Matthew’s gospel, among the Jews at least.

D. Let’s look at another incident found in John’s gospel involving Mary Magdalene and the empty tomb. Look with me at John 20:1-2 – “On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.''” Now look at verse 11 – “But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping,…”

1. Mary Magdalene had come with the other women early on that Sunday morning to prepare the body of Jesus. (Matthew 28:1)
2. Seeing the open tomb, she immediately ran to Peter with the only conclusion she could imagine - “they have taken away the Lord...”
3. You may recall from Luke 8:2 that it was Mary Magdalene out of whom Jesus cast seven devils. No wonder her appreciation for Jesus. No wonder the emotions she felt at the death of her Lord. Doubtless, from this healing grew great love, and appreciation.
4. The guards are to say that His disciples’ had stolen His body but His disciples did not know where it had gone.

E. Two important things to remember at this point...

1. Jewish leaders absolutely could not have a risen Christ. They had to have some explanation, as implausible as it probably seemed. They knew the disciples had not stolen the body but the story would be that they did.
2. The disciples themselves are saying that the tomb is empty and we don’t know where the body is.
3. The fact is, that the tomb was empty. No one argued against that fact, the tomb was empty. –all agreed ... but the question was, what happened to the body?

II. SOME OF THE RESURRECTION APPEARANCES - That brings us to the resurrection appearances. These moments in time where the disciples see the risen Christ, sometimes with fear and trembling.

A. Turn in your bibles to John 20:11-18 – Here we will read of the first of His appearances. This one was to Mary Magdalene after the other disciples had gone to their homes. “11. But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. 12. And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13. Then they said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?'' She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.'' 14. Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. 15. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?'' She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, "Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.'' 16. Jesus said to her, "Mary!'' She turned and said to Him, "Rabboni!'' (which is to say, Teacher). 17. Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, `I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.' '' 18. Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.” Can you imagine this grief stricken woman standing outside of the tomb weeping? She stoops down and looks inside and there are the two angels. Why are you weeping? Who are you seeking?

1. Notice that Mary says, she believed someone had taken away the body.
2. Then Jesus appears to her and she does not recognize Him. She thinks He is the gardener, and asks if He moved the body. Then Jesus calls her by name. When He called her by name she recognized that it was Him.
3. In v. 17- He says to her “do not cling to me”. Again, can you imagine the emotions she must be feeling at that instant? Surely she would have wanted to embrace and cling to her Lord. Hang on to him because she had seen Him die! Now He is there! … I would suggest that Jesus is asking her not to cling to Him, since He had not ascended and there would be time before He did. There was something more important for her to do right then. Go and tell the disciples that Jesus is alive and not yet ascended, and she obeyed.

B. In Mark 16:12 – we see another appearance to two of the disciples. “After that, He appeared in another form to two of them as they walked and went into the country.”

1. Look now at Luke 24:13-17 – “13. Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus (uh•may•uhs), which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15. So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. 16. But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him. 17. And He said to them, "What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?''”
2. Here you see a fairly full account of this particular appearance of the Lord to these two disciples and we are told they are on their way to Emmaus upon leaving Jerusalem after the Passover. They are on their way home and as they walk along it is obvious they are very sad. Jesus comes along, and they do not recognize who He is, and He asks them, why are you so sad?
3. Let’s continue reading starting in verse 19. Luke 24:19-24 – “19. And He said to them, "What things?'' And they said to Him, "The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20. "and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and crucified Him. 21. "But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened. 22. "Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb early, astonished us. 23. "When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive. 24. "And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but Him they did not see.''”
4. Here then is why they are sad. These are His disciples and they loved Him. This is the third day and they are remembering that on the third day He would be raised from the dead. There have been reports that the tomb is empty and certain disciples have gone there and confirmed it. They have heard of visions of angels who have said He is alive! “but Him they did not see” All these things have happened… but they have not seen Him.
5. I wonder, are they laboring under the impression that someone has stolen away the body of Jesus? Perhaps. Take a look at verse 31… Luke 24:31 – “Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him;…” Mary Magdalene knew it was Jesus whom she had seen. Now these two disciples know that it is Jesus whom they see.

C. Reading at verse 33… Luke 24:33-36 – “33. So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34. saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35. And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread. 36. Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.”” Jesus appears not to one, not to two but to the eleven and others with them.

1. It was already being reported that He had appeared to Peter (v. 34)
2. Late on this first day of the week, He appears to the group and confirms His identity. Jesus confirms to those who knew Him best, that He is risen from the dead.
3. What was their immediate reaction to this wondrous event? (read verse 37) Luke 24:37 - “But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit.”
4. Jesus then challenges them to look at His hands and feet where they would see the marks of crucifixion. Seeing those marks and His being with them surely… they would understand that this was the Jesus whom they loved in life and is now risen.
5. It seems though they are having a problem. Because we are told, “they still did not believe … and marveled,” - a ghost? a spirit?
6. Then Jesus does something that a spirit would not do. He asks them, do you have anything to eat? They give Him fish and honeycomb and He eats before them. By doing so, they realized it is He! This is our Lord, our Master! You can read this in Luke 24:40-43

D. One more resurrection appearance I must not forget is found in John 20:24-29 -

1. You remember Thomas, and reading at v. 24 we find that Thomas had apparently not seen the Lord on the previous Lord’s Day, and he manifests the same disbelief which had been evident in the others. “24. Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25. The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.””
2. In verse 26 we find they are gathered together again and this time Thomas is with them, and Jesus appears in like manner as before. “And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!””
3. In vs. 27-28. Jesus confronts Thomas and his unbelief in the marvelous incident which has given rise to a name for Thomas, which I’m not sure he deserves… Doubting Thomas. Did not all of them doubt at one time or another? Specifically to Thomas Jesus invites him to touch the nail prints on His hands and feet and place his fingers into the wound in His side. Thomas says these wonderful words, “My Lord and my God”. “Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!””
4. Let’s look at the words in v. 29 – the last part of this verse is so important. “Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”” This, folks, applies to you and me. Thomas was privileged to see with his physical eyes the risen savior. He was privileged to put his physical finger in the physical nail prints and the wound in Jesus’ side. You and I have not been so privileged… yet based on such credible testimony, - we believe. We sang “He Arose” and we believe in the living Christ.

E. In 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 – we find a section of scripture that deals with the resurrection. “3. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4. and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, 5. and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. 6. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. 7. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. 8. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.” I read this verse because I want you to know that the resurrection appearances of Jesus, unmistakable as they were, are too numerous for a credible question or doubt. Inspiration calls Paul to write, “some have died but most are still alive”. That is a challenge isn’t it? If you do not believe me go ask these people. There are plenty of them around.
F. For us, all of them have long since died and you and I are left with the certified testimony, of credible witnesses, that Jesus is alive.

CLOSE: It is the first day of the week and He arose. The resurrection transformed this dispirited band of disciples into the courageous men and women they became. In Acts 2:32 the apostle Peter says: “we all are witnesses”. You and I are not witnesses who have seen with our physical eyes the risen Christ and cannot witness that fact. They could and they did and because of their testimony, this morning it is our privilege to declare, Jesus, is alive. Jesus is in heaven reining at the right hand of God. The tomb could not keep Him. The guards could not keep Him. The seal could not keep Him. He is alive! Because He is alive, we can face tomorrow with confidence and certainty... confidence in our future and the certainty that the promises of God are kept.

Just As I Am (the song says). Our salvation is not something we merit or earn from God. That has been done for us at the cross and has been confirmed for us by the resurrection. It is provided by a loving God and we need to respond to this gift with loving obedience to His word. God’s word tells us; you need to believe in Jesus; repent of your sins; then confess your belief that Jesus is the Son of God; and make the decision to be baptized into His death.

If you have not done so, I would urge you as we sing the song of invitation, to make the decision to be baptized this morning. Leave this place with your sins forgiven. Forgiven because of the cross, not because of anything you’ve done to claim, or to earn, but because of the cross and what Jesus did. Come and be forgiven.

There might be Christian people in the assembly today that have let the meaning of the cross slip from their minds. Things and events and even people have become too important to them and the fact of the cross has slipped away. The cross my friends is all there is.

If you need to come we invite you to do so now as we stand and as we sing.

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Adopted from Sermon by: Cecil A. Hutson