The Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus (Matthew 27-28)
Sermon Summary
Pastor David Yan
20 April 2025
Did Jesus die? Yes. The action of people near him at the time prove that he really died.
Joseph of Arimathea would not have asked for Jesus’ body if Jesus had not died. Likewise Nicodemus would not have prepared Jesus’ body for burial if Jesus was alive.
Pilate would not have handed over the body if Jesus was alive. It would not be for Pilate’s political benefit if Jesus was alive. Pilate surrendered the body because Jesus had surrendered his life.
The people who washed and prepared Jesus’ body for burial were handling a truly dead body. It could not have been otherwise.
The women at the tomb saw where Jesus was laid. They were satisfied his body was dead. These women were not deceived.
The guards at the tomb observed the scene. They were familiar with dead bodies and knew it was a truly dead body being put into the tomb.
These are the people present when Jesus was suffering. Their actions prove that Jesus did die. Beware of ideas that Jesus did not die. The evidence points otherwise. Jesus died according to the Scriptures.
The angel said “He is not here; for he is risen.” The stone which had been securely sealed had been rolled away. But who could explain this? Certainly no ordinary mortal. Thus God sent an angel to explain the unexplainable. The angel rolled away the stone. Jesus was not in the tomb. The stone rolled away! The Saviour risen! This was the angel’s message.
Jesus rose the same person. He did not come back as another man or another living creature. He was the same Jesus who was crucified, who died and who was put into a tomb.
Jesus rose without corruption. His body knew no such thing. It did not rot. He rose and was not annihilated. The false teaching of annihilation is denied by the resurrection of Jesus. The soul is immortal. After death it lives on.
The aftermath of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection is noteworthy.
First, it was a matter of joy. Jesus told people to rejoice. When the risen Lord rises in our hearts there is irrepressible joy.
Secondly, it brought unity to the church. Members of the discipleship were varied. In fact, they had disputes but the resurrection of Jesus brought them together. They were of one accord. Jesus brings people, communities and nations together. He is the Pince of Peace.
Thirdly, Jesus gives purpose to people. The early church steadfastly followed the Lord’s commission to proclaim the gospel. If you have Jesus you shall have purpose.
This Easter Sunday let us be joyful. Our Lord lives. We live in him. Sunday is resurrection day and we worship as a congregation on Sunday, but let every day be a new day for us. Praise God for the resurrection of Jesus Christ.