(EASTER SUNDAY EDITION) KingdomView, Vol. IV, Issue 11 Scripture: Matthew 28:1-11
Jesus entered Jerusalem triumphantly on Psalm Sunday only to experience within a few days betrayal, an unjust trial, and finally His own crucifixion. Nevertheless, the story does not end there, for as He prophesied in Matthew 12:38-40, He would rise again. Death could not keep Him and the grave could not hold Him (1 Corinthians 15:54-56; Matthew 28:18). Jesus is risen, hallelujah! Let us examine portions of various accounts from the biblical authors starting with Matthew.
In Matthew’s account of the resurrection, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. They came after the Sabbath. (Matthew 28:1) In Jesus’ day, Jews observed the Sabbath from Friday at sunset to Saturday at sunset. The women had seen Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus place the Lord’s body in an unused tomb. (Luke 23:53) The women who had followed Jesus from Galilee watched Joseph and Nicodemus handle and prepare the Lord’s body for burial. (Luke 23:54) The two men would embalm the Lord’s body according to Jewish customs of the day by using a seventy-five pound mixture of myrrh and aloe that would cover the smell of decaying flesh. (John 19:30) However, this procedure would prove unnecessary for Jesus; corruption would not have the chance to settle into His body. (Acts 2:27) Furthermore, little did His followers understand or know that they were on the brink of experiencing resurrection joy. (Matthew 28:8)
Just before daybreak on that first resurrection Sunday morning, Jesus’ followers and the world would soon learn of His victory over death and the grave and the significance of its meaning. Finally, the decisive moment arrived. Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James, and Salome would witness the empty tomb (Mark 16:1-4). An angel informs them that Jesus is not there for He has risen as He said. Moreover, the angel instructs them to go and report the same to the disciples and to convey to them to meet the Lord in Galilee. (Mark 16:6, 7) Why is the resurrection so essential to the Christian faith and message? Paul answers this question in 1 Corinthians 15:12-19. He reveals 12 calamities if Christ is not risen:
1. We have no guarantee of resurrection (vv.12-13, 20-23)
2. Our preaching is in vain (v.14)
3. Our faith is in vain (v.14, 17)
4. We are liars; because we have preached such doctrine (v.15)
5. We are yet in our sins (v.17)
6. All the dead are perished (v.18)
7. We have no hope (v.19)
