Jesus Rose

Before we join Jesus in heaven, he wants to join us on earth through his Holy Spirit. He has gifts to give us and things for us to do. 

Our first Bible reading begins the story of the first Easter. On Thursday [1], Jesus had been betrayed by one of his closest followers and arrested. On Friday, he was nailed to a cross, hung there until they were sure he was dead and buried in a tomb sealed with a big stone and guarded by soldiers. On Saturday, his followers cried and hid from the authorities. Now it’s Sunday morning.

Please read Matthew 28:1-10 (NLT):

Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb. Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, 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 is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what 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 give the disciples the angel’s message. And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped 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.” 

Jesus rose with earthquake power.

Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb. Suddenly there was a great earthquake! (28:1-2a)

The earthquake was just a side effect. The power that raised Jesus from the dead wasn’t just a one-and-done. It was a gift and a commission. Forty days later, Jesus told his followers, 

You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses (Acts 1:8).

Jesus rose with fearsome glory. 

An angel of the Lord came down from heaven, 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. (28:2b-4)

Glory is the outshining of a magnificent inner essence. Those hardened Roman soldiers didn’t faint because of the earthquake; it was the sight of God’s glory that did them in.

Jesus rose with compassion for his friends.

Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. . . “Go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there.”  (28:5, 7)

Jesus knew the women were devastated and afraid, so he sent an angel with words of reassurance. He could have written off the men — they fell asleep when Jesus asked them to pray for him (Matthew 26:40, 43), and probably were in their beds when the women came to the tomb. Instead, he invited them to a reunion. 

Jesus rose with special blessings for those who seek him most.

Then the angel spoke to the women. . . . And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. (28:5, 9)

What did these women do to deserve to see an angel and meet the risen Jesus? They showed up. They cared enough to make their way in the pre-dawn cold and dark to a scary graveyard to pay their last respects. Anyone who made the effort to join them would have received the same blessings. 

Jesus rose with joy and peace for his followers. 

The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy. . . Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid!” (28:8, 10)

The first response to the resurrection was joy, and Jesus’ first words spoke peace. If you are not experiencing and projecting joy and peace, examine how well you have embraced the fact that Jesus rose.

Now, please read Matthew 28:11-20 (NLT):

As the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and told the leading priests what had happened.  A meeting with the elders was called, and they decided to give the soldiers a large bribe.  

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 so you won’t get in trouble.”  

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.  

Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.  When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!  

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all 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.” 

Jesus rose with a mission for his people.

“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 … all the commands I have given you.”  (28:19-20)

Did you notice that I left out two words? “To obey (or observe).” Our commission is not academic; it’s to train people to do what Jesus trained his disciples to do: 

• • Love one another. 
  • Turn the other cheek. 
  • Forgive. 
  • Pray for your enemies. 
  • But also heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons (Matthew 10:8). 

You can’t learn to swim from a book. It takes hands-on training from someone who knows how. It’s the same with learning to be a Christian.

Jesus rose to be with us forever.

“And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  (28:20)

Jesus is with us forever, with all his resurrection power, glory, compassion, blessings, joy, peace, and mission. Certainly, Jesus died for our sins and rose to pave our way to heaven. But don’t miss all the resurrection blessings he brought for this life! 

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David’s bio: After 38 years as a pastor, Dr. Wentz now focuses on writing. Over fifteen thousand copies of his first book, Pastoring: The Nuts and Bolts, have been distributed free to train pastors in developing and minority-Christian countries through the Doing Christianity nonprofit, which he heads. David lives in the Missouri Ozarks with his wife, Paula.

You can get a glimpse of David’s ministry and heart at his website: pastordavidwentz.com.

David is the author of eight books, including When Church Stops Working and Pastoring Revival. His most recent is John Wesley’s The Scripture Way of Salvation: Set in Modern Language with Introduction and Suggestions for Group Use, part of the best-selling John Wesley in Modern Language series. All are available at your Amazon site in print, ebook, and audio.

Notes:

[1]    The days of the week mentioned are those traditionally used, even though there are arguments for different days. Please don’t get sidetracked by this issue as you read the amazing events related to the resurrection of our Lord Jesus.

Photo credit: By the author, David N. Wentz.