Matthew 28:5-7
The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come to the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples.”
The angel who announced the good news of the resurrection to the women gave them four messages: (1) Do not be afraid. The reality of the resurrection brings joy, not fear. (2) He is not here. Jesus is not dead and not to be looked for among the dead. He is alive with His people. (3) Come and see. The women could check the evidence themselves. The tomb was empty and is still empty today. The resurrection is historical fact. (4) Go quickly and tell. They were to spread the joy of the resurrection.
The resurrection of Jesus is the key to Christianity. Why? (1) Just as Jesus promised, Jesus rose form the dead. We therefore have the confidence that He will accomplish all that He has promised. (2) Jesus’ bodily resurrection shows us that the living Christ is ruler over God’s eternal kingdom, not a false profit or impostor. (3) We can be certain of our resurrection because He was resurrected. Death is not the end – there is future life. (4) The power that brought Jesus back to life is available to us to bring our spiritually dead selves back to life. (5) The resurrection is the basis for the church’s witness to the world. Jesus is more than just a human leader; He is the Son of God!
Without the resurrection Christianity would be just another religion. In fact the resurrection is what separates Christianity from all other forms of religion. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Notice He said “No one” which means exactly that. People that think all religions point to God are sadly mistaken.
This Easter focus on the fact that Jesus rose from the dead and proved to all the world that He and He alone is the true Son of God!
