HE IS RISEN

PROCLAMATION

“As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.  ‘Don’t be alarmed,’ he said.  ‘You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified.  He is risen!  He is not here.  See the place where they laid Him.’”  Mark 16:5-6 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, according to Mark, a companion Simon Peter.  After Pilate ordered Jesus to be flogged and crucified, they scourged Him, and then the soldiers led Him away. (Matthew 27:26, Mark 15:15-16, and John 19:1-2)  The soldiers put a crown of thorns on His head, hit Him, spit on Him, and mocked Him. (Mark 16:17-19)   Afterwards they led Him to the place called Golgotha, and they forced Simon, from Cyrene, to carry the cross for Jesus. (Mark 15:21-22)  There they crucified Him.  Jesus hung on the cross from nine in the morning (Mark 15:25) until three in the afternoon when He gave up His spirit and died. (Mark 15:33-37)  Joseph of Arimathea took the body of Jesus, wrapped it in linen, placed it in his new unused tomb, and sealed the entrance with a large stone. (Mark 15:43-46)  After the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome went to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus.  When they got there, they found that the stone had been rolled away and there was an angel sitting in the tomb.  The angel told them that Jesus was not there, “He is risen!” (Mark 16:1-6)

 

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.  Today, those of us who believe it will be blessed.