HE IS RISEN JUST AS HE SAID

HE IS RISEN JUST AS HE SAID

PROCLAMATION

“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 is risen, just as He said.  Come and see the place where He lay.’ ”  Matthew 28:5-6 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, according to the Apostle Matthew.  After the body of Jesus was placed in Joseph’s tomb, a large stone was rolled in front of the entrance. (Matthew 27:59-60)  The chief priests and the Pharisees convinced Pilate to post a guard at the tomb to prevent the Jews from stealing the body and claiming that He had risen from the dead. (Matthew 27:62-66)  After the Sabbath, at dawn there was a violent earthquake.  An angel of The Lord came down from heaven, went to the tomb, rolled the stone away and sat on it. (Matthew 28:1-2)  Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to the tomb and they saw the angel.  That was when the angel spoke to them and told them that Jesus, The Christ, had risen as He said that He would.  After the women left the tomb to tell the disciples the good news, Jesus appeared to them. (Matthew 28:8-10)  Later Jesus met with His eleven disciples and they worshiped Him.  He spoke with them and gave them what is referred to as “The Great Commission,” to go and make disciples of all nations. (Matthew 28:16-20)

APPLICATION

The crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, The Christ, is recorded in all four of the gospels. (Matthew 27:26 to 28:8; Mark 15:15 to 16:8; Luke 23:23 to 24:9 and John 19:16 to 20:10)  It was predicted more than four hundred years earlier by the prophet Isaiah. (Isaiah 53:5-6)  The resurrection of Jesus, The Christ, was not witnessed; it must be believed.  Thomas believed after he saw for himself and touched the wounds in His hands and side.  Blessed are those of us that have not seen and yet believe. (John 20:27-29)  However, after He rose from the grave, He appeared for man to see Him on more than forty different times before He ascended to heaven. (Matthew 28:9-10 and 28:11-20; Mark 16:9-20; Luke 24:13-50; and John 20:11-29 and 21:1-23)  For forty days after His resurrection (Acts 1:3) Jesus appeared to His disciples, spoke to them, touched Him, and at times He ate with them.  His ascension to heaven from a mountain in Galilee was witnessed by the disciples. (Acts 1:9)  The Word of God says it and that settles it.  He is risen.