The resurrection of Jesus Christ

The resurrection of Jesus

'In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me. 'Matthew 28:1-10

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came very early in the morning, after the Sabbath, to anoint the body of the Lord, and they said to one another, who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulcher? And an angel of the Lord, having rolled away the stone, sat upon it. Then they saw the angel, and his appearance like a lightning, and his clothes were as white as snow and they were afraid.

The angel then said to the women

1. “Why seek you the living among the dead?

2. “He is not here, but is risen: remember that he spoke unto you when he was in Galilee,

3. "The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of the wicked and be crucified, and rise on the third day."

4. “Come and see the place where the Lord lay.

5. “And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead.”

As told by the angel, Mary Magdalene saw in the tomb, but what was recorded in her mind was that there was no body of the Lord.

She hurried to report to the apostles, and met Peter and John and told them, "They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we know not where they have laid him." It was John who first realized the marvelous message of the Resurrection. He, saw, believed, and wrote, while others were still unaware of the scripture that Jesus had to Risen from the dead.

The resurrection of Jesus is one of the most important parts of the gospel truths.

'For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; after that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. '1 Corinthians 15:3,7-8

The importance of the resurrection of Christ to all who believe in Him

1. Confirmation that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

‘Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. 'John 10:17-18

'Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 'Romans 6:4'And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. '1 Corinthians 15:17

3. He confirms the authenticity of the Scriptures. Then opened he their mind, that they might understand the scriptures;

'And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. 'Acts 17:30-31

4. Our daily experience and power of Christ will make us victorious over sin.

'I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 'Galatians 2:20 'The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 'Ephesians 1:18-20

After his resurrection, Christ remained on the earth for forty days, appearing and speaking to the apostles and his followers.

1. to Mary Magdalene. 'Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her. 'John 20:18

2. to the women who returned to the tomb.

'And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. 'Matthew 28:9

3. to Peter

'Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. 'Luke 24:34

4. On the same day, two of the disciples

'And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. And it came to pass, as he sat at the table with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? 'Luke 24:13,30-32

5. All who believe in Christ and his gospel should be baptized in water.

'And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. 'Acts 22:16

6. Christ will be with his faithful followers through the power of the Holy Spirit.

' And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. 'Luke 24:49

' But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 'Acts 1:8