The Text: Matthew 28:1-10
That first Good Friday must have seemed anything but good. Along with
some other faithful followers, the two Marys had seen their Lord tortured and
suffering in unthinkable agony. Mocked, humiliated and left to die. They sat
on the sidelines and watched the life drain from His once strong body. The
One who had spoken with such authority and hope, now lifeless and hanging
on a cross. All their hopes were snuffed out just as surely as His life was. After
taking His body down from the cross, they had done all they could. Hurriedly
preparing Him for burial so they could observe the Sabbath, they left that
garden tomb with an overwhelming sense of hopelessness.
And so when dawn breaks on the first day of the week, they tentatively make
their way back to the tomb. Every step bringing them closer to the
hopelessness they left behind on Friday. Every step bringing them closer to
the tears and grief and despair they know is coming as they prepare
themselves for the sadistic mocking that seems to come from every tomb
and grave.
Jesus final words from the cross were ‘it is finished’. But to the ladies and to all
who looked on, it seemed as though death had had the final word.
Isn’t that the way we experience life and death as well? Even as Christians
we live out our days, knowing the hope that is ours in Christ, and yet every
grave we visit seems to mock us. Every funeral we attend seems to taunt us to
doubt the resurrecting power of Jesus Christ. Tempting us to despair, to heart
break, to hopelessness. As long as we remain this side of eternity, the grave
will always seem deceptively powerful. And now that he is defeated, the
Devil will always try to convince you that it is the end. But today the Holy Spirit
reveals the hidden truth for all who trust in Jesus for forgiveness. He reveals the
divine reality that death is not strong enough to hold our Lord and so is no
longer strong enough to hold any of us who have our lives in Him. Christ is
risen! [He is risen indeed!] And because He is risen, death and the grave look
completely different to us.
It’s not that we’re supposed to suddenly see death as a good thing. But in
light of the Easter resurrection death is no longer the fiercesome enemy it
once was. Jesus has made His way through death to life. In paying the
penalty for our sins, He has broken death’s hold on us and transformed it into
a doorway to eternity. As we live and even as we die, we can do so knowing
that our Lord and Saviour has been through the valley of the shadow death
and has come out the other side. He knows the way and has promised to be
us to the very end of the age – and so He will even lead us through death to
life. Because Jesus lives, because His tomb is empty, our graves are no longer
the pits of hopelessness they once were.
Is there any better news than that? Why is it then, that most of the time our
lives don’t seem any less filled with anxieties than the disciples’ were? If we
know that Jesus is risen from the dead, if we know He has conquered our
greatest enemies, why are we so often just as afraid, just as worked up, just as
worried as the ladies were on that first Easter morning?
From our text it is clear that the reason the two Marys were despairing is the
same reason our lives lose that resurrection joy and confidence shortly after
the chocolate buzz wears off each Easter. And that reason is that we forget
what Jesus has told us. You see when the ladies showed up at the tomb, we
get all distracted by the fact that an angel spoke to them. But all that angel
did was remind them of what Jesus had already said.
“Do not be alarmed”, the angel said, “I know who you’re looking for. Jesus of
Nazareth, who was crucified; nailed to the tree; taken down dead and
carried right here! Well, ladies, you are lookin in the wrong place. He has
risen. He is not here. He’s alive! You didn’t really think that death could hold
Him down, did you? I mean, you knew Him! You saw what His Word could do.
Off you go. Go tell His disciples that He is going ahead of you all to Galilee.
You’ll see Him there, just as He told you.”
Just as He told you! If the ladies had simply remembered Jesus’ Word, they
would have spared themselves a whole lot of heartache! But so often we
forget what He has said, and even when we remember the words, we forget
how reliable they are. Jesus’ promises come true no matter what. The
problem lies with us forgetting or doubting what He has told us. Today we are
encouraged to give up arguing with Jesus and believe and rejoice in what
He tells us. You’ll find that every word of the Lord proves true. The ladies did,
and when they remembered the words Jesus had told them, their fear of the
unknown was now mixed with an overwhelming sense of joy. “Just as He told
you.” How many of the anxieties and worries of our lives would evaporate if
we always remembered what our Lord told us and what He has
accomplished?
But, of course, wrapping your mind around the resurrection is no easy task
when the reality of life starts to bite. Death and all sorts of other hassles seem
to be the only things that are guaranteed in this world. We’re used to carrying
each other to the grave. We’re used to saying “goodbyes” that are forever in
this age. We’re used to trying to sort things out ourselves. Feeling responsible
for our failures. Overwhelmed by the sin and shame that still weighs us down.
Feeling condemned that even after celebrating a life time of Easters, you still
don’t have your act together.
But remember what Jesus has told you. Remember what His word declares
has taken place over these three holy days. He is the Resurrection and the
Life, whoever believes in Him, even though they die, will live forever. He came
not for the healthy, not for those who had their act together, but for the sick
and stumbling like you and me. He has swallowed up your sin and shame
and left it lifeless in the tomb. His blood has washed you clean as snow and
He has promised to keep you in true faith as you simply listen to Him. Jesus has
conquered death and the grave and is risen to reign eternally for you
Listen to these words of the risen One. He told us that death couldn’t hold
Him – and He was right! And He tells us that He will meet us today to fills us
with His resurrection blessings as He comes to us in bread and wine. At the
altar this morning, He will pour more life into you than you’ll ever need; more
forgiveness than all the world’s sin; more joy than all the sorrows of this age;
more peace than all the fretting of your life. Just as He told you! Amen.