By The Rev. Dr. Paul A. Leggett
Sunday, April 4, 2010 · Easter Sunday
Sermon Text: Matthew 28:1-10
Sermon Theme
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary are the lone remaining disciples. They stay by the cross. They watch Jesus being laid in the tomb. They come early on the first day of the week. They don’t see Jesus rise from the dead. Rather Jesus has already been raised. An angel tells them the astounding news. The world has been turned upside down. They are not to remain at the empty tomb. They are sent out with the great news of forgiveness and new life. On the road they meet Jesus himself. We do not encounter Jesus at the tomb but on the road of life sharing the news of his resurrection. The promise of the entire gospel is fulfilled here. Fear is ended. Faith is triumphant (I John 5:4).
Sermon Outline
- Suddenly. All that is left of the followers of Jesus are these two Marys. Not only the crowds, the many who were healed, but all the disciples have abandoned Jesus (Matthew 26:56). The two women come hoping to anoint the dead body. Suddenly everything changes. Yet this all had been foretold. The light of the star of Bethlehem has been replaced by the lightning face of an angel. The earth itself shakes. It is not Jesus but the guards who appear to be dead (Matthew 28:4). Yet in spite of all the prophetic announcements nothing prepares these women or anyone else for the resurrection. The events of Jesus’ birth, his life, his teaching and all the events of the past week beginning with Palm Sunday are now seen in a different light. There is nothing in our life, knowledge or experience that prepares us for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. An encounter with the risen Lord is always sudden and earth-shaking.
- Sent. To meet Jesus is to be sent out. The Wise Men return home by a different way (Matthew 2:12). The disciples are called out from their daily work and routine. The women are shown the tomb (Matthew 28:6). This is the real life evidence of the resurrection. Yet the women are not to remain at the tomb. The tomb is not to be a place of worship, meditation or prayer. This is a time for action. The women are not sent to the lost sheep of Israel nor to the regions of Samaria or Caesarea Philippi. Still less at this point are they sent to the nations of the world. The first word is to the disciples, all of whom have failed to follow Jesus to the end (Matthew 28:7). Yet Jesus calls them his brothers (Matthew 28:10). The first word is forgiveness. We may have abandoned Jesus. He does not abandon us, but calls us again to himself (II Timothy 2:13). The urgent message of forgiveness is for everyone. We must continually be reminded of this truth. It is only after this message has been received by us that we can then bring it to others.
- Secure. It is significant that the women do not encounter Jesus at the tomb. As they respond obediently to the message of the angel they head toward Galilee. They are filled with “fear and great joy” (Matthew 28:8). A genuine encounter with Jesus always involves both emotions, joy at the reality of Jesus, and fear at his incredible power and the fact of his inevitable conflict with the world that seeks to reject him. It is on the ordinary road that Jesus encounters the women. He speaks the message of hope that recurs throughout all of scripture, “Do not be afraid” (Matthew 28:10, 1:20; Genesis 15:1; Exodus 20:20; Joshua 10:25; I Samuel 12:20; Isaiah 41:10) In Jesus’ death and resurrection death itself has died. Sin has been forgiven. The law has lost its power to condemn. Satan has been defeated. More than this, the kingdoms of the world and all their glory now appear pale and empty (Matthew 4:8). Jesus lives. All fear is gone. Our lives are full of hope and confidence. And we are secure now and forever.
Questions for Us
- What lessons can we take from the fact that Jesus changes things in sudden and surprising ways? What does this say about the assumptions we often make about our lives?
- We like the women are not to remain at the empty tomb of Easter morning. To whom are we being sent with the message of forgiveness and new life?
- Why do you think the women encounter Jesus on the road rather than at the tomb? What does the road of Galilee represent for us. How do we experience the risen Lord in our everyday lives?
