10 — Jesus Has Risen!

When: Sunday Morning
Location: Garden Tomb

Read: Matthew 28:1-8; Mark 16:1-9; Luke 24:1-8; John 20:1-10

He is risen, He is risen indeed! One the first day of the week, three days after his crucifixion Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Salome brought spices to anoint Jesus’ body. Instead of Jesus’ dead body they found a young man dressed in white sitting on the right side. He said to them, “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’” So, the women went back to Peter and John to tell them what they saw and heard. Peter and John took off running and Peter was not the first one there (funny that John made sure to point that out in John 20:4). They looked around and saw only linen left in the tomb. They forgot what Jesus told them about rising again and went back to where they were staying.

Matthew 27:52-53 says, “and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.” This passage shows us the power of God through Christ's resurrection. Not only was Christ raised but others were raised as well.

Christ's resurrection shows us the incredible power of God. God is the creator of the universe; he created life itself. His work on the cross proves he is stronger than death. 1 Corinthians 15:55, “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” His resurrection also validates what Christ has said about himself, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die” (John 11:25). It confirms our faith, 1 Corinthians 15:14, “And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.” Lastly, his resurrection makes a way for us. Jesus led the way in life after death, he is “the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20). If it wasn’t for his resurrection there would be no life after death, no eternal life with the Father. But since Christ was raised, we too will be raised with him in Glory when he returns, a promise that we can hold onto from God.