The Event

The Event

Matthew 28:1-7, NLT

Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb. 2Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. 3His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. 4The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint. 5Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. 7And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.”

Setting the Scene

Jesus had died on that cross—the Romans had made sure of it. His lifeless body had been lovingly cared for by a formerly “secret” follower, Joseph of Arimathea (Matthew 27:57-61; John 19:38). Then, observed by “Mary Magdalene and the other Mary,” Joseph had placed Jesus in a nearby tomb. Everyone involved in the crucifixion—rulers, leaders, guards, followers, and onlookers—knew Jesus was dead. And many, in particular these three (Joseph, Mary, and Mary), knew where he was buried.

The Jewish leaders, remembering that Jesus had said something about coming back to life, had convinced the Romans to secure the tomb to make sure no one would even think about removing the body.

Yet the tomb is empty. Jesus did, in fact, rise from the dead. This event happened in space and time. That is, in AD 33, a real corpse, wrapped and laid in a real tomb outside ancient Jerusalem and guarded by real men, came back to life. This was not some “idea” or “spiritual” event: Jesus actually arose bodily.

Those who don’t want to believe in the Resurrection have proposed a number of theories for the empty tomb (for example, the women went to the wrong tomb; Jesus didn’t really die—he was just in very bad shape; followers somehow stole the body; everyone who saw Jesus alive was hallucinating; the Gospel writers made up the story; etc.), all of which can be disproved and dismissed.

Jesus’ resurrection is unique. Other religions have strong ethical systems, concepts about the afterlife, and writings that they consider holy. Only Christianity has a God who became human, literally died for his people, and was raised again in power and glory to rule his church forever.

The Resurrection stands as the central fact of Christian history, and on it the church is built. Christians can look very different from one another, and they can hold widely varying beliefs about politics, lifestyle, and even theology. But one central belief unites and inspires all true Christians: Jesus Christ rose from the dead!

Getting Personal

What makes Jesus coming back to life difficult for some people to believe?

What evidence bolsters your belief in the Resurrection?

In what ways does the Resurrection give you confidence and assurance in your faith?

Believing that someone who has died can come back to life is nearly impossible. Consider the disciples. They had seen Jesus bring dead people back to life on at least three occasions (Jairus’s daughter—Matthew 9:18, 23-26; a widow’s son—Luke 7:11-16; and Lazarus—John 11:1-45), yet they couldn’t believe Jesus himself had been raised, even after hearing reports from eyewitnesses. So we shouldn’t be surprised when people today struggle with this event; bodies just don’t get up and walk out of graves after three days.

But Jesus did—all the evidence points to this amazing event, this turning point in history. And what a difference the Resurrection makes. Because Jesus arose, just as he said he would, we know that he is who he said he was—God in the flesh and our Savior—and that all he taught is true.

Jesus arose, and he lives today!

Talking to God

Bring your doubts to the Lord, and any feelings that your faith is vague and intangible. Ask God to help you remember that your faith is anchored on the truth about Jesus Christ, who entered real human history as a real, human person. Praise him that you don’t base your faith solely on ancient accounts, but in a living, active Savior.