The Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus (Luke 23:50-56, 24:1-12)
Sermon Summary
Pastor David Yan
Easter Sunday – 31 March 2024
Jesus most certainly died. Pilate handed over Jesus's body. He would not have done so if Jesus was alive.
The women departed from the tomb. They would not have done so if Jesus was still alive.
Jesus was buried by which is meant his body was placed in a tomb. The tomb was prepared by Joseph of Arimathea. He arranged for a huge stone to be placed at the entrance of the tomb. The stone was sealed and guarded by soldiers. There could be no forced entry.
Note that Joseph was uncompromisingly a man of faith. Yet he had access to the highest Roman official, Pontius Pilate. We need more believers like Joseph who do not compromise their faith yet still have access to high government to make requests.
Jesus's body was placed in a new tomb. It was the only tomb in history in which the body within never rotted. The body of Jesus knew no corruption. He had no sin. He had no corruption.
Consider the resurrection of Jesus. Evidence of the resurrection is seen by the stone at the entrance to the tomb being rolled away. Who rolled it away? Certainly not the soldiers. Certainly not the Jews or Roman authorities. Certainly not the disciples of Jesus. It was by the power of God through the instrumentality of angels.
Then there is the evidence of the missing body. If the authorities could find the body of Jesus all talk about a resurrection would be refuted. No one could produce the body. There was no dead body. Jesus had risen from the grave.
This was what the angels told the women. “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen.”
The resurrection of Jesus was foretold by Jesus himself. He had earlier said, “The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.” Jesus endured great anguish to achieve a great salvation.
The women were the first ones to go to the tomb. They were fittingly the first ones to bear witness to Jesus’s resurrection. They told what they saw to the disciples.
But the disciples did not believe them. The natural mind does not believe. But the Holy Spirit changes natural minds into spiritual ones and enables them to receive divine truth.
Despite the unbelief of the disciples, one disciple, Peter, began to understand. The Bible states "But Peter arose and ran to the tomb." Although the disciples did not believe, yet in their hearts they wanted to believe. It was rather like, “We do not believe, but help us to believe.” Peter stooped, saw the linen cloths and departed, marvelling at what had happened.
What has happened has been revealed to us in the scriptures. Remember Jesus this Easter season. He is risen. Hearts were burning when Jesus opened the hearts of disciples. They still burn today when Jesus reveals himself from the Bible.