WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.440 Last Sunday we walked together through Matthew's account of what happened leading up to the cross. 00:00:05.520 --> 00:00:06.240 ! 00:00:06.240 --> 00:00:11.240 We followed the unfolding plot against Jesus as the chief priests and the chief priests and the chief priests. 00:00:11.240 --> 00:00:14.240 ! 00:00:14.240 --> 00:00:23.920 We saw Judas quietly slip away to strike a deal, agreeing to betray his friend. 00:00:23.920 --> 00:00:33.460 We sat at the table with Jesus and his disciples where he broke bread and spoke of what his death would accomplish. 00:00:34.520 --> 00:00:42.460 We entered the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed in deep anguish, surrendering to his Father's will. 00:00:44.520 --> 00:00:51.400 There we witnessed the disciples' bold promises of loyalty, promises that would soon falter. 00:00:51.399 --> 00:00:58.679 And under the cover of darkness, Judas returned with an armed crowd and Jesus was taken captive. 00:01:01.280 --> 00:01:10.180 We heard last Sunday about how through the night Jesus was dragged from place to place as religious leaders sought false testimony to condemn him. 00:01:11.500 --> 00:01:16.799 And when asked directly, Jesus made the good confession that he was the Messiah. 00:01:18.500 --> 00:01:20.519 Words they called blasphemy. 00:01:21.400 --> 00:01:24.660 At daybreak, they led him before Pilate. 00:01:25.880 --> 00:01:33.920 And even though Pilate declared Jesus innocent, he bowed to the pressure of the crowd and handed Jesus over to be executed. 00:01:33.920 --> 00:01:49.700 We read of the flogging and the mocking, the procession out to Golgotha, the crucifixion, the taunts and the jeers of the bystanders. 00:01:49.700 --> 00:01:58.520 And we heard Jesus' loud cry, my God, my God, my God, why have you forsaken me? 00:01:58.519 --> 00:02:07.000 And with another loud cry, Jesus breathed his last and gave up his spirit. 00:02:07.000 --> 00:02:16.620 We heard about Joseph of Arimathea and how he got permission to bury Jesus' body in his own tomb. 00:02:17.500 --> 00:02:26.920 And a large stone was rolled into place over the entrance and a guard set by the rulers to keep watch. 00:02:26.919 --> 00:02:30.679 It was a horrible and tragic day. 00:02:31.399 --> 00:02:35.500 But as we just heard sung, all was not lost. 00:02:36.179 --> 00:02:40.519 There was a great and mighty purpose of God in the death of Jesus. 00:02:41.739 --> 00:02:46.859 Forgiveness for humanity was bought with Jesus' blood. 00:02:46.860 --> 00:02:53.080 And this forgiveness was offered freely to all, to you and to me. 00:02:54.260 --> 00:02:59.300 And it's all because of the great mercy and love of God toward us. 00:03:00.360 --> 00:03:03.540 Just as it says in Ephesians chapter 1, 00:03:04.300 --> 00:03:07.920 In him, in Jesus Christ, we have redemption. 00:03:07.919 --> 00:03:17.019 Through his blood, the forgiveness of sins in accordance with the riches of God's grace, 00:03:17.219 --> 00:03:19.299 which he lavished on us. 00:03:20.019 --> 00:03:22.459 And I hope we don't miss that word grace. 00:03:23.359 --> 00:03:34.159 It means that this forgiveness is a gift that's given by God because of his kindness and goodness, his generosity. 00:03:35.319 --> 00:03:37.879 It's not something that we need to earn from God. 00:03:37.919 --> 00:03:43.619 But each of us can have a restored relationship with him, 00:03:44.019 --> 00:03:46.000 despite what we have done, 00:03:46.619 --> 00:03:50.359 because of what Jesus did at the cross. 00:03:51.479 --> 00:03:56.060 And all we need to do to receive this gift is to repent, 00:03:56.659 --> 00:04:01.539 to turn to God, to acknowledge the wrongs we've done and believe. 00:04:03.839 --> 00:04:06.119 It was a horrible and tragic day, 00:04:06.120 --> 00:04:08.480 but all was not lost. 00:04:08.900 --> 00:04:16.199 It was a day of costly sacrifice that became for us the day of our deliverance and salvation. 00:04:16.199 --> 00:04:23.639 And what I love about this true story is that it didn't end with death and tragedy. 00:04:25.139 --> 00:04:27.459 Reading from Matthew chapter 28 verse 1. 00:04:27.459 --> 00:04:42.599 So Matthew tells us that some time passed while Jesus' body lay lifeless in the tomb. 00:04:42.740 --> 00:04:47.500 There was the Sabbath day, which was the seventh day of the week on which no one worked. 00:04:47.500 --> 00:04:50.579 And then following that was the first day of the week. 00:04:51.860 --> 00:04:58.500 Matthew tells us that two of the Marys who had been close followers of Jesus went to look at the tomb. 00:04:58.500 --> 00:05:07.779 There was a violent earthquake for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and going to the tomb, 00:05:07.779 --> 00:05:11.459 rolled back the stone and sat on it. 00:05:12.560 --> 00:05:14.000 Can you imagine this? 00:05:14.660 --> 00:05:21.160 You're on your way to the tomb and the ground begins to tremble violently. 00:05:22.600 --> 00:05:27.240 Matthew tells us that the cause of the quake was the angel. 00:05:27.240 --> 00:05:36.360 He says there was a violent earthquake for or because an angel of the Lord came down from heaven. 00:05:38.040 --> 00:05:40.879 Imagine him streaking down like a bolt of lightning. 00:05:41.439 --> 00:05:49.500 By how it's described, it would seem that almost the impact of his arrival just sent a shockwave through the ground. 00:05:50.920 --> 00:05:52.939 And what did this angel look like? 00:05:52.939 --> 00:06:01.079 Matthew says that his appearance was like lightning and his clothes were white as snow. 00:06:02.339 --> 00:06:05.000 Think back to the last time you saw a flash of lightning. 00:06:05.860 --> 00:06:08.199 It's amazing just how bright it is. 00:06:09.300 --> 00:06:15.079 And so we imagine this angelic being so bright that you can barely stand to look at him. 00:06:15.079 --> 00:06:25.599 Matthew says he went to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 00:06:25.600 --> 00:06:34.520 The whole point of the large stone was to seal the opening to the tomb and to keep people out. 00:06:35.600 --> 00:06:39.439 And so there's little doubt that this would have been a very large and heavy stone. 00:06:39.920 --> 00:06:43.960 We don't know exactly what it looked like or how big it was or how heavy. 00:06:44.100 --> 00:06:48.780 But likely it couldn't be budged by just one person or a few people. 00:06:48.779 --> 00:06:56.819 And so the strength of this angel of God is seen in his ability to single-handedly push it back from the entrance to the tomb. 00:06:58.459 --> 00:07:08.979 The appearance of this angel and the demonstration of his power was enough to make grown men shrivel in the fetal position on the ground. 00:07:09.979 --> 00:07:10.500 Verse 4. 00:07:10.500 --> 00:07:19.620 These are soldiers. 00:07:20.800 --> 00:07:25.759 These are men picked for the job because of their ability to intimidate. 00:07:26.420 --> 00:07:28.920 Their ability to subdue others. 00:07:30.060 --> 00:07:36.540 And yet their knees were knocking in terror till they fell limp on the ground. 00:07:40.500 --> 00:07:42.160 The angel said to the women, 00:07:42.800 --> 00:07:48.500 Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 00:07:49.540 --> 00:07:50.680 He is not here. 00:07:51.740 --> 00:07:54.300 He has risen, just as he said. 00:07:55.379 --> 00:07:58.600 Come, see the place where he lay. 00:08:00.160 --> 00:08:04.579 So the angel speaks to the women and he knows why they are there. 00:08:05.879 --> 00:08:08.600 He knows they're looking for the body of Jesus. 00:08:08.600 --> 00:08:13.120 Another gospel account tells us that they had come to put spices on his body. 00:08:13.700 --> 00:08:15.160 And they had been even wondering, 00:08:15.500 --> 00:08:17.500 How are we going to get the stone rolled away? 00:08:18.660 --> 00:08:19.600 The angel says, 00:08:19.680 --> 00:08:20.860 You won't find him here. 00:08:22.240 --> 00:08:23.020 He's risen. 00:08:23.860 --> 00:08:25.180 Just as he said. 00:08:26.700 --> 00:08:33.100 I imagine the thoughts of the women were racing in these moments as their hearts pounded within them. 00:08:33.100 --> 00:08:36.500 What do you mean he's risen? 00:08:39.600 --> 00:08:41.460 What do you mean just as he said? 00:08:42.560 --> 00:08:44.680 When did Jesus said that he would rise? 00:08:46.340 --> 00:08:51.600 Well, the chief priests and the Pharisees hadn't forgotten about what Jesus had said. 00:08:51.700 --> 00:08:54.980 That's the whole reason that they asked Pilate for the detachment of guards. 00:08:54.980 --> 00:08:58.860 To watch over the entrance to the tomb. 00:08:59.580 --> 00:09:03.700 Look back to chapter 27, verse 62 for a moment. 00:09:04.220 --> 00:09:05.759 This was them talking to Pilate. 00:09:06.480 --> 00:09:08.180 They went to Pilate and said, 00:09:08.360 --> 00:09:11.759 Sir, we remember that while he was still alive, that deceiver said, 00:09:11.980 --> 00:09:15.019 After three days, I will rise again. 00:09:15.019 --> 00:09:18.939 So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. 00:09:19.480 --> 00:09:24.340 Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he's been raised from the dead. 00:09:24.779 --> 00:09:27.720 This last deception will be worse than the first. 00:09:29.120 --> 00:09:32.379 So the Pharisees and the religious leaders, the chief priests, 00:09:32.519 --> 00:09:36.340 they remembered what Jesus had said about rising from the dead. 00:09:36.340 --> 00:09:41.720 When had Jesus said that? 00:09:43.420 --> 00:09:45.100 That he would rise from the dead? 00:09:45.500 --> 00:09:49.820 Well, if we flip back a little longer, a little further, 00:09:50.480 --> 00:09:54.160 Matthew chapter 16, verse 21, already back then, it says, 00:09:54.300 --> 00:09:58.780 From that time on, Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem 00:09:58.780 --> 00:10:06.080 and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests, and the teachers of the law, 00:10:06.080 --> 00:10:10.960 and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. 00:10:12.040 --> 00:10:16.200 The sense we get from this is that Jesus has already been saying it, 00:10:16.280 --> 00:10:21.980 and not just once, but many times to his disciples, preparing them for this moment. 00:10:28.440 --> 00:10:29.740 He is not here. 00:10:30.580 --> 00:10:33.400 He has risen, just as he said. 00:10:36.080 --> 00:10:41.540 The angel points them to the place where Jesus' body had been laid inside the tomb. 00:10:42.780 --> 00:10:43.720 Like, see for yourself. 00:10:44.800 --> 00:10:45.639 He's not here. 00:10:48.540 --> 00:10:50.520 Go quickly and tell his disciples, 00:10:51.040 --> 00:10:54.700 He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. 00:10:55.120 --> 00:10:56.139 There you will see him. 00:10:56.139 --> 00:10:58.699 Now, I have told you. 00:11:00.080 --> 00:11:01.019 I love this. 00:11:01.740 --> 00:11:04.639 The angel tells the women to go tell Jesus' disciples 00:11:04.639 --> 00:11:08.159 and gives them the exact words to say to them. 00:11:09.340 --> 00:11:12.879 Go and tell them that Jesus has risen from the dead 00:11:12.879 --> 00:11:15.539 and is going ahead of you into Galilee. 00:11:16.059 --> 00:11:20.039 So if there's any doubt in their minds as to what he has risen meant, 00:11:20.039 --> 00:11:22.779 this should clear it up for sure. 00:11:22.919 --> 00:11:25.860 Yes, he has risen from the dead. 00:11:26.620 --> 00:11:28.120 As in resurrection. 00:11:28.759 --> 00:11:30.699 As in alive again. 00:11:31.899 --> 00:11:33.919 And he's going ahead of you into Galilee. 00:11:34.819 --> 00:11:36.379 This is the language of travel 00:11:36.379 --> 00:11:40.939 that describes a living person intentionally going from one place to another. 00:11:40.940 --> 00:11:42.760 Like, yes, he's alive. 00:11:44.300 --> 00:11:46.080 And there's a promise to go with it. 00:11:46.900 --> 00:11:48.340 There you will see him. 00:11:49.600 --> 00:11:50.780 There you will see him. 00:11:51.080 --> 00:11:55.860 You will lay your own eyes on him alive when you get there. 00:11:57.040 --> 00:11:58.580 Well, how did the women respond? 00:11:59.800 --> 00:12:00.560 Verse 8. 00:12:00.780 --> 00:12:03.260 So the women hurried away from the tomb, 00:12:03.980 --> 00:12:06.560 afraid, yet filled with joy, 00:12:07.220 --> 00:12:09.660 and ran to tell his disciples. 00:12:10.940 --> 00:12:14.240 Have you ever felt so deeply excited about something 00:12:14.240 --> 00:12:16.560 that it's like you almost have the jitters? 00:12:17.520 --> 00:12:20.620 And that adrenaline's just coursing through your veins 00:12:20.620 --> 00:12:22.140 and you can't sit down. 00:12:22.280 --> 00:12:23.520 And everything that you do, 00:12:23.620 --> 00:12:25.220 you kind of do it with a bit of a hip, 00:12:25.520 --> 00:12:27.920 a hip, a hop, a skip, and a jump. 00:12:29.440 --> 00:12:32.560 Maybe it's the news that a loved one's baby has just been born. 00:12:33.300 --> 00:12:35.180 Or of a long-awaited appointment. 00:12:35.840 --> 00:12:37.060 Or a job offer. 00:12:37.640 --> 00:12:40.840 Or news of a dear friend who's going to stop in and see you. 00:12:40.940 --> 00:12:42.380 That you weren't expecting. 00:12:42.600 --> 00:12:43.980 And we get totally pumped. 00:12:45.140 --> 00:12:48.600 I imagine that that's just a little of what these women felt. 00:12:49.260 --> 00:12:52.100 Scared silly by this angelic encounter. 00:12:52.560 --> 00:12:54.520 The adrenaline coursing through their veins. 00:12:54.660 --> 00:12:59.240 And yet utterly ecstatic at the words of the angel 00:12:59.240 --> 00:13:02.960 that Jesus, the one they saw killed, 00:13:02.960 --> 00:13:05.019 was alive again. 00:13:06.860 --> 00:13:09.840 They hurried away from the tomb and ran 00:13:09.840 --> 00:13:12.180 to tell his disciples. 00:13:13.420 --> 00:13:16.160 Afraid, yet filled with joy. 00:13:16.159 --> 00:13:21.199 And then all of a sudden, something stopped them in their tracks. 00:13:21.919 --> 00:13:23.480 Or rather, someone. 00:13:24.480 --> 00:13:25.019 Verse 9. 00:13:25.779 --> 00:13:27.759 Suddenly, Jesus met them. 00:13:29.199 --> 00:13:30.379 Greetings, he said. 00:13:31.699 --> 00:13:32.839 They came to him. 00:13:33.719 --> 00:13:35.299 Clasped his feet. 00:13:35.980 --> 00:13:37.240 And worshipped him. 00:13:37.240 --> 00:13:39.600 This is wonderful. 00:13:40.019 --> 00:13:43.019 It doesn't say exactly where this was 00:13:43.019 --> 00:13:44.600 or how this happened. 00:13:44.700 --> 00:13:46.759 Just that suddenly, Jesus met them. 00:13:48.159 --> 00:13:48.659 I don't know. 00:13:48.779 --> 00:13:51.960 Did he see and hear them running up behind him 00:13:51.960 --> 00:13:53.879 on the path and then just turn around? 00:13:54.680 --> 00:13:58.240 Or did he miraculously appear right in front of them? 00:13:58.399 --> 00:14:00.539 Causing them to just kind of screech to a halt? 00:14:00.539 --> 00:14:02.839 It doesn't say, but there he was, 00:14:02.919 --> 00:14:05.219 somewhere between the tomb and Jerusalem 00:14:05.219 --> 00:14:07.259 where they were headed. 00:14:07.759 --> 00:14:09.500 And the women recognized him. 00:14:09.860 --> 00:14:11.500 They knew it was him. 00:14:12.219 --> 00:14:14.500 Matthew says they clasped his feet. 00:14:14.599 --> 00:14:16.439 It's a very forceful word. 00:14:16.719 --> 00:14:19.799 Meaning they grabbed a hold of his feet tightly. 00:14:20.759 --> 00:14:22.659 And they worshipped him. 00:14:23.459 --> 00:14:24.179 Says Matthew. 00:14:25.339 --> 00:14:28.319 They were bowed down on the ground before him. 00:14:28.320 --> 00:14:32.220 As before a great king. 00:14:33.360 --> 00:14:35.300 Can you imagine what they would have been feeling 00:14:35.300 --> 00:14:38.520 in that moment at the feet of Jesus? 00:14:40.280 --> 00:14:44.220 They'd watched this man suffer unimaginably. 00:14:46.560 --> 00:14:49.620 They watched him die horrifically. 00:14:50.960 --> 00:14:52.560 And now three days later, 00:14:52.660 --> 00:14:55.200 here he is in front of them, alive. 00:14:56.960 --> 00:14:57.800 It's true. 00:14:58.879 --> 00:15:00.840 You are the Messiah. 00:15:01.580 --> 00:15:04.440 You are the son of the living God. 00:15:07.860 --> 00:15:10.420 Jesus then tells them to go into the city 00:15:10.420 --> 00:15:13.760 and tell the men, Jesus' disciples, 00:15:13.960 --> 00:15:16.080 the plan is to have them all head back 00:15:16.080 --> 00:15:18.100 to the northern region of Galilee 00:15:18.100 --> 00:15:20.240 where Jesus will meet with them again. 00:15:20.240 --> 00:15:24.539 This is Matthew's account of what happened 00:15:24.539 --> 00:15:27.560 that morning when God brought Jesus back to life. 00:15:28.419 --> 00:15:30.220 And it's a precious story. 00:15:31.279 --> 00:15:33.480 One of the things that caught my attention this week 00:15:33.480 --> 00:15:34.960 as I was meditating on this 00:15:34.960 --> 00:15:39.019 is how different Matthew's account is from Luke's. 00:15:39.019 --> 00:15:42.740 Luke tells us about a whole bunch more 00:15:42.740 --> 00:15:44.220 that happened that day. 00:15:45.139 --> 00:15:48.600 Luke tells us about how Jesus appeared to Peter after this 00:15:48.600 --> 00:15:52.019 and then to two men walking on the road to Emmaus 00:15:52.019 --> 00:15:54.659 and then about how Jesus later that evening 00:15:54.659 --> 00:15:56.639 appeared to the disciples themselves 00:15:56.639 --> 00:15:59.779 in Jerusalem behind closed doors. 00:16:00.679 --> 00:16:02.139 And then only after that 00:16:02.139 --> 00:16:03.919 would they all make their way out to Galilee. 00:16:03.919 --> 00:16:06.779 But I got thinking about this. 00:16:07.159 --> 00:16:09.299 Why did Matthew leave all that out? 00:16:10.759 --> 00:16:12.860 What's Matthew's focus here? 00:16:13.799 --> 00:16:15.699 What does Matthew want to emphasize 00:16:15.699 --> 00:16:18.259 in the way that he tells it? 00:16:19.860 --> 00:16:21.819 Well, Matthew has more to say 00:16:21.819 --> 00:16:23.539 about what happened that day. 00:16:24.000 --> 00:16:27.399 But it's not about the other appearances of Jesus to people. 00:16:28.539 --> 00:16:30.719 Rather, it's about the soldiers 00:16:30.719 --> 00:16:32.839 who were at the tomb. 00:16:33.919 --> 00:16:35.759 Let's read in verse 11. 00:16:37.599 --> 00:16:39.740 While the women were on their way, 00:16:39.919 --> 00:16:41.759 some of the guards went into the city 00:16:41.759 --> 00:16:43.699 and reported to the chief priests 00:16:43.699 --> 00:16:45.779 everything that had happened. 00:16:47.120 --> 00:16:49.620 When the chief priests had met with the elders 00:16:49.620 --> 00:16:51.459 and devised a plan, 00:16:52.019 --> 00:16:54.779 they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, 00:16:55.759 --> 00:16:56.319 telling them, 00:16:57.339 --> 00:16:58.219 you are to say, 00:16:58.679 --> 00:17:00.579 his disciples came during the night 00:17:00.579 --> 00:17:02.419 and stole him away 00:17:02.419 --> 00:17:04.099 while we were asleep. 00:17:05.599 --> 00:17:07.539 If this report gets to the governor, 00:17:07.700 --> 00:17:08.759 we will satisfy him 00:17:08.759 --> 00:17:10.319 and keep you out of trouble. 00:17:12.099 --> 00:17:13.740 So the soldiers took the money 00:17:13.740 --> 00:17:16.500 and did as they were instructed. 00:17:17.539 --> 00:17:19.700 And this story has been widely circulated 00:17:19.700 --> 00:17:20.899 among the Jews 00:17:20.899 --> 00:17:22.759 to this very day. 00:17:22.759 --> 00:17:25.920 So what's Matthew's emphasis? 00:17:27.379 --> 00:17:28.940 Matthew seems eager to highlight 00:17:28.940 --> 00:17:31.140 this side thing 00:17:31.140 --> 00:17:33.599 that proves the credibility 00:17:33.599 --> 00:17:35.240 of this whole account. 00:17:35.720 --> 00:17:36.599 And it makes sense. 00:17:36.759 --> 00:17:37.599 I mean, after all, 00:17:37.660 --> 00:17:39.099 what has Matthew just told us? 00:17:39.940 --> 00:17:41.079 He just finished telling us 00:17:41.079 --> 00:17:42.599 about an angelic encounter. 00:17:43.240 --> 00:17:44.480 He just finished telling us 00:17:44.480 --> 00:17:46.039 about the resurrection 00:17:46.039 --> 00:17:47.519 of a person from the dead, 00:17:47.660 --> 00:17:49.819 somebody that everybody had seen 00:17:49.819 --> 00:17:51.619 publicly killed. 00:17:53.279 --> 00:17:54.419 He just told us 00:17:54.419 --> 00:17:55.259 about how these women 00:17:55.259 --> 00:17:56.139 had an encounter 00:17:56.139 --> 00:17:58.039 with this resurrected man. 00:17:58.740 --> 00:17:59.519 And ordinarily, 00:17:59.659 --> 00:18:00.500 this is the stuff 00:18:00.500 --> 00:18:02.939 of fantasy and fairy tales. 00:18:03.319 --> 00:18:04.559 This is the sort of nonsense 00:18:04.559 --> 00:18:06.179 that maybe we might expect 00:18:06.179 --> 00:18:07.460 from those who are rocked 00:18:07.460 --> 00:18:08.379 with grief 00:18:08.379 --> 00:18:10.919 or who are emotionally shattered. 00:18:12.059 --> 00:18:13.419 It's almost like Matthew 00:18:13.419 --> 00:18:14.899 anticipates the criticism 00:18:14.899 --> 00:18:16.220 of the skeptic 00:18:16.220 --> 00:18:16.839 who asks, 00:18:16.839 --> 00:18:18.279 can we really trust 00:18:18.279 --> 00:18:19.199 the word of the women? 00:18:20.500 --> 00:18:21.500 Like an angel? 00:18:23.419 --> 00:18:24.679 Risen from the dead? 00:18:26.639 --> 00:18:28.559 And so what does Matthew tell us? 00:18:29.639 --> 00:18:30.720 If you can't take 00:18:30.720 --> 00:18:31.859 the women's word for it, 00:18:32.480 --> 00:18:34.359 take the soldiers' word for it. 00:18:36.139 --> 00:18:37.599 They went into the city 00:18:37.599 --> 00:18:39.899 and reported to the chief priests 00:18:39.899 --> 00:18:43.159 everything that had happened. 00:18:43.160 --> 00:18:46.019 The sense we get 00:18:46.019 --> 00:18:47.500 is that they didn't leave out 00:18:47.500 --> 00:18:49.000 the surprising details. 00:18:49.759 --> 00:18:51.480 The stuff about the angel 00:18:51.480 --> 00:18:54.360 and what the angel had said 00:18:54.360 --> 00:18:55.800 about how Jesus 00:18:55.800 --> 00:18:56.980 had risen from the dead. 00:18:58.900 --> 00:19:00.000 That report 00:19:00.000 --> 00:19:01.420 triggered a meeting 00:19:01.420 --> 00:19:02.860 of the elders 00:19:02.860 --> 00:19:04.400 with the chief priests. 00:19:06.620 --> 00:19:07.600 And notice 00:19:07.600 --> 00:19:09.240 Matthew's description 00:19:09.240 --> 00:19:10.100 of what they did 00:19:10.100 --> 00:19:11.000 at that meeting. 00:19:11.000 --> 00:19:13.359 They devised a plan. 00:19:14.180 --> 00:19:15.400 They consulted together. 00:19:16.779 --> 00:19:17.500 And the result 00:19:17.500 --> 00:19:18.160 of that meeting 00:19:18.160 --> 00:19:19.759 was a large sum 00:19:19.759 --> 00:19:20.480 of money 00:19:20.480 --> 00:19:21.640 being given 00:19:21.640 --> 00:19:23.480 to the soldiers. 00:19:25.660 --> 00:19:26.539 They agreed 00:19:26.539 --> 00:19:28.000 to pay the soldiers 00:19:28.000 --> 00:19:29.460 not to tell anyone 00:19:29.460 --> 00:19:30.799 what had really happened 00:19:30.799 --> 00:19:31.619 at the tomb. 00:19:32.680 --> 00:19:33.200 Instead, 00:19:33.579 --> 00:19:34.480 to tell people 00:19:34.480 --> 00:19:35.319 that his disciples 00:19:35.319 --> 00:19:36.359 came during the night 00:19:36.359 --> 00:19:37.859 and stole him away 00:19:37.859 --> 00:19:39.839 while we were asleep. 00:19:41.000 --> 00:19:43.160 not only that, 00:19:43.220 --> 00:19:43.680 but the leaders 00:19:43.680 --> 00:19:44.339 of the Jews 00:19:44.339 --> 00:19:46.059 realized that 00:19:46.059 --> 00:19:46.680 at some point 00:19:46.680 --> 00:19:47.839 Pilate's going to hear 00:19:47.839 --> 00:19:48.460 about this. 00:19:49.740 --> 00:19:50.859 And in these days, 00:19:51.240 --> 00:19:51.900 what happened 00:19:51.900 --> 00:19:52.859 to soldiers 00:19:52.859 --> 00:19:54.140 who had been posted guard 00:19:54.140 --> 00:19:55.680 but failed 00:19:55.680 --> 00:19:56.559 their assignment? 00:19:59.240 --> 00:20:00.359 They were routinely 00:20:00.359 --> 00:20:01.099 executed. 00:20:02.660 --> 00:20:03.500 And so what 00:20:03.500 --> 00:20:03.960 did the leaders 00:20:03.960 --> 00:20:04.440 of the Jews 00:20:04.440 --> 00:20:05.180 promise to do? 00:20:05.319 --> 00:20:06.019 They promised 00:20:06.019 --> 00:20:07.279 to persuade 00:20:07.279 --> 00:20:08.460 Pilate 00:20:08.460 --> 00:20:09.660 to turn a blind eye 00:20:09.660 --> 00:20:11.299 and refrain 00:20:11.299 --> 00:20:12.259 from punishing them. 00:20:13.420 --> 00:20:14.799 What we may not realize 00:20:14.799 --> 00:20:15.460 is that this is 00:20:15.460 --> 00:20:16.220 amazing evidence 00:20:16.220 --> 00:20:17.440 that Jesus' resurrection 00:20:17.440 --> 00:20:18.220 did in fact 00:20:18.220 --> 00:20:18.880 take place 00:20:18.880 --> 00:20:20.400 just as the women 00:20:20.400 --> 00:20:21.279 described. 00:20:22.700 --> 00:20:23.220 First, 00:20:23.360 --> 00:20:24.319 there's the obvious 00:20:24.319 --> 00:20:25.440 ongoing problem 00:20:25.440 --> 00:20:26.559 of the empty tomb 00:20:26.559 --> 00:20:28.559 and the missing body 00:20:28.559 --> 00:20:29.100 of Jesus. 00:20:30.220 --> 00:20:31.440 The easiest way 00:20:31.440 --> 00:20:32.299 for the Jewish leaders 00:20:32.299 --> 00:20:33.519 to disprove it all 00:20:33.519 --> 00:20:35.039 would have been 00:20:35.039 --> 00:20:36.100 to simply produce 00:20:36.100 --> 00:20:36.940 Jesus' body 00:20:36.940 --> 00:20:37.640 and show it 00:20:37.640 --> 00:20:38.220 to the people. 00:20:39.460 --> 00:20:39.900 Obviously, 00:20:40.039 --> 00:20:40.860 they couldn't do that. 00:20:41.920 --> 00:20:42.580 In fact, 00:20:42.759 --> 00:20:43.740 they'd taken 00:20:43.740 --> 00:20:44.779 extra precautions. 00:20:45.840 --> 00:20:46.299 They'd even 00:20:46.299 --> 00:20:47.140 anticipated, 00:20:47.400 --> 00:20:48.620 at least according 00:20:48.620 --> 00:20:49.480 to what they thought, 00:20:49.600 --> 00:20:50.180 that some of 00:20:50.180 --> 00:20:51.000 Jesus' disciples 00:20:51.000 --> 00:20:52.500 might try to steal 00:20:52.500 --> 00:20:53.400 Jesus' body 00:20:53.400 --> 00:20:54.779 in order to proclaim 00:20:54.779 --> 00:20:55.860 him risen from the dead. 00:20:56.039 --> 00:20:56.680 That's why they'd 00:20:56.680 --> 00:20:57.259 ask Pilate 00:20:57.259 --> 00:20:58.019 for the soldiers. 00:20:59.600 --> 00:21:00.440 So where is 00:21:00.440 --> 00:21:01.259 the body of Jesus? 00:21:02.860 --> 00:21:04.180 How can it be missing 00:21:04.180 --> 00:21:06.539 if it was so well-guarded 00:21:06.539 --> 00:21:07.759 by Roman soldiers? 00:21:10.440 --> 00:21:11.519 We fell asleep. 00:21:13.720 --> 00:21:14.900 You fell asleep? 00:21:17.820 --> 00:21:18.640 While you were 00:21:18.640 --> 00:21:20.360 on duty? 00:21:21.200 --> 00:21:22.000 All of you? 00:21:22.960 --> 00:21:24.279 At the same time? 00:21:24.279 --> 00:21:27.960 And then there was 00:21:27.960 --> 00:21:28.420 the problem 00:21:28.420 --> 00:21:29.940 of the large stone. 00:21:30.899 --> 00:21:31.500 Would have been 00:21:31.500 --> 00:21:31.920 too big 00:21:31.920 --> 00:21:33.059 for just one or two guys 00:21:33.059 --> 00:21:33.539 to move it 00:21:33.539 --> 00:21:34.299 by themselves. 00:21:34.980 --> 00:21:35.799 Not to mention 00:21:35.799 --> 00:21:36.339 the noise 00:21:36.339 --> 00:21:37.160 that it would have made. 00:21:38.720 --> 00:21:39.680 So you're telling me 00:21:39.680 --> 00:21:40.119 that a group 00:21:40.119 --> 00:21:42.019 of four to six 00:21:42.019 --> 00:21:43.279 guys managed 00:21:43.279 --> 00:21:44.079 to sneak past 00:21:44.079 --> 00:21:45.000 a small company 00:21:45.000 --> 00:21:46.339 of Roman soldiers 00:21:46.339 --> 00:21:47.559 while they were sleeping 00:21:47.559 --> 00:21:50.379 and roll this large stone 00:21:50.379 --> 00:21:51.180 away from the door 00:21:51.180 --> 00:21:52.180 in silence, 00:21:52.180 --> 00:21:54.560 grabbed Jesus' body 00:21:54.560 --> 00:21:55.440 and then tiptoe 00:21:55.440 --> 00:21:56.100 out the door 00:21:56.100 --> 00:21:57.440 past all of you 00:21:57.440 --> 00:21:58.700 and you didn't 00:21:58.700 --> 00:21:59.640 even hear a sound? 00:22:02.360 --> 00:22:03.340 We could even add 00:22:03.340 --> 00:22:04.000 to this the other 00:22:04.000 --> 00:22:04.880 strange evidence 00:22:04.880 --> 00:22:05.840 given by one 00:22:05.840 --> 00:22:06.220 of the other 00:22:06.220 --> 00:22:06.980 gospel accounts 00:22:06.980 --> 00:22:07.940 that the cloth 00:22:07.940 --> 00:22:08.980 that Jesus' body 00:22:08.980 --> 00:22:09.820 was wrapped in 00:22:09.820 --> 00:22:11.120 was left behind 00:22:11.120 --> 00:22:13.620 and the face cloth, 00:22:13.740 --> 00:22:14.400 the head cloth 00:22:14.400 --> 00:22:15.660 that covered his head 00:22:15.660 --> 00:22:16.779 was folded. 00:22:18.200 --> 00:22:18.539 Like, 00:22:18.640 --> 00:22:19.160 if you were 00:22:19.160 --> 00:22:20.019 stealing the body 00:22:20.019 --> 00:22:21.000 and the Roman guards 00:22:21.000 --> 00:22:22.000 were sleeping outside, 00:22:22.000 --> 00:22:22.660 why would you 00:22:22.660 --> 00:22:23.500 take the time? 00:22:24.200 --> 00:22:24.680 Why would you 00:22:24.680 --> 00:22:25.579 take the risk 00:22:25.579 --> 00:22:26.720 to unwrap 00:22:26.720 --> 00:22:27.940 the body 00:22:27.940 --> 00:22:29.539 and leave the cloth 00:22:29.539 --> 00:22:29.900 there? 00:22:30.119 --> 00:22:31.259 To fold up 00:22:31.259 --> 00:22:32.180 the head cloth 00:22:32.180 --> 00:22:34.079 in the middle 00:22:34.079 --> 00:22:34.940 of this supposed 00:22:34.940 --> 00:22:35.500 heist? 00:22:38.180 --> 00:22:39.000 And then if you 00:22:39.000 --> 00:22:39.700 did fall asleep 00:22:39.700 --> 00:22:40.359 on the job 00:22:40.359 --> 00:22:43.180 as a guarding soldier, 00:22:43.299 --> 00:22:43.779 how come you're 00:22:43.779 --> 00:22:44.480 still alive? 00:22:45.859 --> 00:22:46.599 Was there no 00:22:46.599 --> 00:22:47.140 consequence 00:22:47.140 --> 00:22:48.279 for you failing 00:22:48.279 --> 00:22:49.519 to do your job? 00:22:49.680 --> 00:22:50.220 Pilate should have 00:22:50.220 --> 00:22:50.680 had your head 00:22:50.680 --> 00:22:51.200 in the morning? 00:22:53.200 --> 00:22:53.920 You weren't 00:22:53.920 --> 00:22:54.400 disciplined 00:22:54.400 --> 00:22:55.160 in any way? 00:22:57.279 --> 00:22:57.940 There's some 00:22:57.940 --> 00:22:58.539 major things 00:22:58.539 --> 00:22:59.019 that simply 00:22:59.019 --> 00:22:59.940 don't add up 00:22:59.940 --> 00:23:02.920 and it's evidence 00:23:02.920 --> 00:23:03.500 that the women 00:23:03.500 --> 00:23:04.000 were telling 00:23:04.000 --> 00:23:04.960 the truth. 00:23:05.759 --> 00:23:06.360 The soldiers 00:23:06.360 --> 00:23:07.240 were witnesses 00:23:07.240 --> 00:23:07.840 too. 00:23:09.200 --> 00:23:10.060 They knew 00:23:10.060 --> 00:23:11.039 that there had 00:23:11.039 --> 00:23:11.620 been no theft 00:23:11.620 --> 00:23:12.200 of the body. 00:23:13.259 --> 00:23:13.860 They knew 00:23:13.860 --> 00:23:14.400 that something 00:23:14.400 --> 00:23:15.019 spectacular 00:23:15.019 --> 00:23:16.060 had taken place. 00:23:16.680 --> 00:23:17.120 They saw 00:23:17.120 --> 00:23:17.759 the angel 00:23:17.759 --> 00:23:18.619 and they 00:23:18.619 --> 00:23:19.339 cowered 00:23:19.339 --> 00:23:20.519 before him 00:23:20.519 --> 00:23:21.640 and then 00:23:21.640 --> 00:23:22.240 they reported 00:23:22.240 --> 00:23:22.980 everything 00:23:22.980 --> 00:23:23.379 that had 00:23:23.379 --> 00:23:23.619 happened 00:23:23.619 --> 00:23:23.980 to the 00:23:23.980 --> 00:23:24.220 chief 00:23:24.220 --> 00:23:24.720 priests. 00:23:26.500 --> 00:23:27.319 We might 00:23:27.319 --> 00:23:27.720 wonder 00:23:27.720 --> 00:23:28.680 how did 00:23:28.680 --> 00:23:29.140 Matthew 00:23:29.140 --> 00:23:31.180 come to 00:23:31.180 --> 00:23:31.879 have this 00:23:31.879 --> 00:23:32.599 seemingly 00:23:32.599 --> 00:23:33.240 inside 00:23:33.240 --> 00:23:33.879 information? 00:23:35.160 --> 00:23:35.619 He doesn't 00:23:35.619 --> 00:23:36.559 cite a source 00:23:36.559 --> 00:23:37.299 here. 00:23:38.200 --> 00:23:39.019 How did he 00:23:39.019 --> 00:23:39.420 know about 00:23:39.420 --> 00:23:40.000 this report 00:23:40.000 --> 00:23:40.720 of the soldiers 00:23:40.720 --> 00:23:41.420 to the high 00:23:41.420 --> 00:23:41.839 priest 00:23:41.839 --> 00:23:42.359 and the 00:23:42.359 --> 00:23:43.180 bribe money 00:23:43.180 --> 00:23:44.140 that was 00:23:44.140 --> 00:23:44.759 given to them? 00:23:44.759 --> 00:23:46.619 How did 00:23:46.619 --> 00:23:47.119 he discover 00:23:47.119 --> 00:23:47.619 the plan 00:23:47.619 --> 00:23:48.160 to smooth 00:23:48.160 --> 00:23:48.660 things over 00:23:48.660 --> 00:23:49.319 with Pilate 00:23:49.319 --> 00:23:50.200 for the 00:23:50.200 --> 00:23:50.660 soldiers 00:23:50.660 --> 00:23:51.839 who had 00:23:51.839 --> 00:23:52.119 seemingly 00:23:52.119 --> 00:23:52.660 failed to 00:23:52.660 --> 00:23:52.960 do their 00:23:52.960 --> 00:23:53.379 job? 00:23:54.519 --> 00:23:54.779 Well, 00:23:54.799 --> 00:23:55.079 there was 00:23:55.079 --> 00:23:55.460 at least 00:23:55.460 --> 00:23:56.079 one member 00:23:56.079 --> 00:23:56.400 of the 00:23:56.400 --> 00:23:56.660 Jewish 00:23:56.660 --> 00:23:56.980 ruling 00:23:56.980 --> 00:23:57.460 council 00:23:57.460 --> 00:23:57.960 if not 00:23:57.960 --> 00:23:58.359 two 00:23:58.359 --> 00:23:59.539 to whom 00:23:59.539 --> 00:23:59.859 Matthew 00:23:59.859 --> 00:24:00.440 could go 00:24:00.440 --> 00:24:00.980 for that 00:24:00.980 --> 00:24:01.299 inside 00:24:01.299 --> 00:24:01.879 information 00:24:01.879 --> 00:24:02.519 like this. 00:24:02.960 --> 00:24:03.299 In fact, 00:24:03.359 --> 00:24:03.559 it was 00:24:03.559 --> 00:24:03.920 the very 00:24:03.920 --> 00:24:04.420 man who 00:24:04.420 --> 00:24:04.859 had buried 00:24:04.859 --> 00:24:05.240 Jesus 00:24:05.240 --> 00:24:05.759 in his 00:24:05.759 --> 00:24:06.000 own 00:24:06.000 --> 00:24:06.339 tomb, 00:24:07.019 --> 00:24:07.420 Joseph 00:24:07.420 --> 00:24:07.819 of 00:24:07.819 --> 00:24:08.339 Arimathea. 00:24:09.779 --> 00:24:10.519 Who was 00:24:10.519 --> 00:24:10.940 Joseph? 00:24:12.099 --> 00:24:12.680 Luke tells 00:24:12.680 --> 00:24:12.980 us some 00:24:12.980 --> 00:24:13.539 very helpful 00:24:13.539 --> 00:24:14.220 information. 00:24:14.759 --> 00:24:15.500 He was 00:24:15.500 --> 00:24:15.940 a member 00:24:15.940 --> 00:24:16.460 of the 00:24:16.460 --> 00:24:16.879 council, 00:24:17.220 --> 00:24:17.640 a good 00:24:17.640 --> 00:24:18.259 and upright 00:24:18.259 --> 00:24:19.460 man who 00:24:19.460 --> 00:24:19.900 had not 00:24:19.900 --> 00:24:20.599 consented to 00:24:20.599 --> 00:24:21.220 their decision 00:24:21.220 --> 00:24:21.779 and action. 00:24:22.680 --> 00:24:23.059 He came 00:24:23.059 --> 00:24:23.359 from the 00:24:23.359 --> 00:24:25.819 town of 00:24:25.819 --> 00:24:26.339 Judea 00:24:26.339 --> 00:24:30.240 and he 00:24:30.240 --> 00:24:30.920 himself was 00:24:30.920 --> 00:24:31.460 waiting for 00:24:31.460 --> 00:24:31.879 the kingdom 00:24:31.879 --> 00:24:32.420 of God, 00:24:33.279 --> 00:24:33.740 the Judean 00:24:33.740 --> 00:24:34.119 town of 00:24:34.119 --> 00:24:34.599 Arimathea. 00:24:35.579 --> 00:24:36.200 Then we 00:24:36.200 --> 00:24:37.000 compare that 00:24:37.000 --> 00:24:37.740 to John's 00:24:37.740 --> 00:24:38.579 account, 00:24:38.759 --> 00:24:39.140 the apostle 00:24:39.140 --> 00:24:39.599 John's 00:24:39.599 --> 00:24:39.819 account, 00:24:39.859 --> 00:24:40.039 and we 00:24:40.039 --> 00:24:40.579 read something 00:24:40.579 --> 00:24:41.339 interesting there 00:24:41.339 --> 00:24:41.779 as well. 00:24:42.259 --> 00:24:43.180 John 19, 00:24:43.440 --> 00:24:44.180 verse 38. 00:24:44.759 --> 00:24:46.859 Now Joseph 00:24:46.859 --> 00:24:47.420 was a 00:24:47.420 --> 00:24:48.140 disciple of 00:24:48.140 --> 00:24:48.480 Jesus, 00:24:48.740 --> 00:24:49.519 but secretly 00:24:49.519 --> 00:24:51.119 because he 00:24:51.119 --> 00:24:51.599 feared the 00:24:51.599 --> 00:24:52.259 Jewish leaders. 00:24:53.240 --> 00:24:53.900 With Pilate's 00:24:53.900 --> 00:24:54.240 permission, 00:24:54.400 --> 00:24:54.900 he came and 00:24:54.900 --> 00:24:55.220 took the 00:24:55.220 --> 00:24:55.839 body away. 00:24:56.559 --> 00:24:56.900 He was 00:24:56.900 --> 00:24:57.519 accompanied by 00:24:57.519 --> 00:24:58.099 Nicodemus, 00:24:58.180 --> 00:24:58.759 the man who 00:24:58.759 --> 00:24:59.500 earlier had 00:24:59.500 --> 00:25:00.279 visited Jesus 00:25:00.279 --> 00:25:00.980 at night. 00:25:01.700 --> 00:25:02.279 We read in 00:25:02.279 --> 00:25:03.420 John 3 that 00:25:03.420 --> 00:25:04.259 Nicodemus was 00:25:04.259 --> 00:25:05.019 also a member 00:25:05.019 --> 00:25:05.759 of the 00:25:05.759 --> 00:25:06.119 council. 00:25:06.119 --> 00:25:09.959 So very 00:25:09.959 --> 00:25:10.379 likely, 00:25:10.899 --> 00:25:11.459 Joseph or 00:25:11.459 --> 00:25:12.159 Nicodemus, 00:25:12.359 --> 00:25:13.099 or both, 00:25:13.339 --> 00:25:13.619 would have 00:25:13.619 --> 00:25:13.919 been at 00:25:13.919 --> 00:25:14.500 this meeting 00:25:14.500 --> 00:25:17.019 since they 00:25:17.019 --> 00:25:17.619 were members 00:25:17.619 --> 00:25:19.059 of the 00:25:19.059 --> 00:25:19.439 council. 00:25:20.159 --> 00:25:21.000 Maybe the 00:25:21.000 --> 00:25:21.799 council didn't 00:25:21.799 --> 00:25:22.399 fully know 00:25:22.399 --> 00:25:23.000 whether they 00:25:23.000 --> 00:25:23.519 were followers 00:25:23.519 --> 00:25:24.079 of Jesus 00:25:24.079 --> 00:25:24.679 or not 00:25:24.679 --> 00:25:26.259 at this 00:25:26.259 --> 00:25:26.599 point. 00:25:28.839 --> 00:25:29.619 When we 00:25:29.619 --> 00:25:29.919 compare 00:25:29.919 --> 00:25:30.439 Matthew's 00:25:30.439 --> 00:25:30.939 account with 00:25:30.939 --> 00:25:31.439 Luke's 00:25:31.439 --> 00:25:32.539 and John's, 00:25:33.179 --> 00:25:33.919 there's even 00:25:33.919 --> 00:25:34.659 more credibility 00:25:34.660 --> 00:25:35.460 to be found 00:25:35.460 --> 00:25:36.759 in the 00:25:36.759 --> 00:25:37.440 testimony of 00:25:37.440 --> 00:25:37.860 these women. 00:25:38.200 --> 00:25:38.820 It clearly 00:25:38.820 --> 00:25:39.400 wasn't a 00:25:39.400 --> 00:25:40.000 plot of 00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:40.600 the disciples 00:25:40.600 --> 00:25:42.580 because the 00:25:42.580 --> 00:25:43.340 disciples were 00:25:43.340 --> 00:25:44.000 surprised. 00:25:44.779 --> 00:25:45.340 They were as 00:25:45.340 --> 00:25:46.160 skeptical as 00:25:46.160 --> 00:25:46.880 anyone at 00:25:46.880 --> 00:25:47.220 first. 00:25:47.540 --> 00:25:47.900 They didn't 00:25:47.900 --> 00:25:48.480 even believe 00:25:48.480 --> 00:25:48.880 the women. 00:25:50.400 --> 00:25:50.920 That's why 00:25:50.920 --> 00:25:51.400 they ran to 00:25:51.400 --> 00:25:51.779 the tomb. 00:25:51.940 --> 00:25:52.380 We've got to 00:25:52.380 --> 00:25:52.820 see this. 00:25:53.060 --> 00:25:54.259 It says in 00:25:54.259 --> 00:25:55.420 Luke, I 00:25:55.420 --> 00:25:55.900 believe, that 00:25:55.900 --> 00:25:56.620 they didn't 00:25:56.620 --> 00:25:57.560 believe the 00:25:57.560 --> 00:25:58.080 women because 00:25:58.080 --> 00:25:58.620 their words 00:25:58.620 --> 00:25:59.019 seemed to 00:25:59.019 --> 00:25:59.440 them like 00:25:59.440 --> 00:26:00.060 nonsense. 00:26:02.340 --> 00:26:03.040 It wasn't 00:26:03.040 --> 00:26:03.540 until later 00:26:03.540 --> 00:26:04.279 that afternoon 00:26:04.279 --> 00:26:04.899 and evening 00:26:04.899 --> 00:26:05.440 when Jesus 00:26:05.440 --> 00:26:06.139 began to 00:26:06.139 --> 00:26:06.759 appear first 00:26:06.759 --> 00:26:07.200 to Peter 00:26:07.200 --> 00:26:07.559 and then 00:26:07.559 --> 00:26:07.980 the rest 00:26:07.980 --> 00:26:08.319 of them 00:26:08.319 --> 00:26:09.240 that they 00:26:09.240 --> 00:26:10.079 believed Jesus 00:26:10.079 --> 00:26:10.879 had come 00:26:10.879 --> 00:26:11.319 back to 00:26:11.319 --> 00:26:12.639 life from 00:26:12.639 --> 00:26:13.079 the dead. 00:26:14.660 --> 00:26:15.339 So the 00:26:15.339 --> 00:26:16.079 truth is that 00:26:16.079 --> 00:26:16.539 even though it 00:26:16.539 --> 00:26:17.059 sounds too 00:26:17.059 --> 00:26:17.539 good to be 00:26:17.539 --> 00:26:19.779 true, it's 00:26:19.779 --> 00:26:20.059 true. 00:26:20.980 --> 00:26:21.859 It is what 00:26:21.859 --> 00:26:22.200 happened. 00:26:22.339 --> 00:26:23.019 Jesus really 00:26:23.019 --> 00:26:24.539 did rise from 00:26:24.539 --> 00:26:25.579 the dead just 00:26:25.579 --> 00:26:26.399 as he said. 00:26:27.579 --> 00:26:28.379 Everything was 00:26:28.379 --> 00:26:28.920 pointing to 00:26:28.920 --> 00:26:29.240 this. 00:26:30.399 --> 00:26:30.920 Consider the 00:26:30.920 --> 00:26:31.559 many miracles 00:26:31.559 --> 00:26:32.220 of Jesus, 00:26:32.659 --> 00:26:33.419 the healings, 00:26:34.059 --> 00:26:34.559 the casting 00:26:34.559 --> 00:26:35.240 out of demons, 00:26:35.440 --> 00:26:35.940 the walking 00:26:35.940 --> 00:26:36.659 on water, 00:26:37.399 --> 00:26:37.819 the feeding 00:26:37.819 --> 00:26:38.139 of the 00:26:38.139 --> 00:26:38.859 5,000, 00:26:39.480 --> 00:26:40.319 the supernatural 00:26:40.319 --> 00:26:42.179 knowledge that 00:26:42.179 --> 00:26:43.139 Jesus had of 00:26:43.139 --> 00:26:44.480 people, and the 00:26:44.480 --> 00:26:44.980 list could go 00:26:44.980 --> 00:26:45.220 on. 00:26:45.259 --> 00:26:45.659 Is it any 00:26:45.659 --> 00:26:46.319 surprise that 00:26:46.319 --> 00:26:47.139 God decided to 00:26:47.139 --> 00:26:47.940 do the ultimate 00:26:47.940 --> 00:26:49.859 sign, the 00:26:49.859 --> 00:26:50.799 ultimate miracle 00:26:50.799 --> 00:26:51.659 at the end of 00:26:51.659 --> 00:26:52.919 it all, to 00:26:52.919 --> 00:26:54.319 prove once and 00:26:54.319 --> 00:26:54.879 for all that 00:26:54.879 --> 00:26:56.839 Jesus is the 00:26:56.839 --> 00:26:58.539 one by raising 00:26:58.539 --> 00:26:59.099 him from the 00:26:59.099 --> 00:26:59.319 dead? 00:26:59.319 --> 00:27:01.700 God is the 00:27:01.700 --> 00:27:02.779 one by 00:27:02.779 --> 00:27:03.259 God. 00:27:03.259 --> 00:27:03.559 That's exactly 00:27:03.559 --> 00:27:04.039 what happened 00:27:04.039 --> 00:27:04.179 almost 2,000 00:27:04.179 --> 00:27:04.819 years ago on 00:27:04.819 --> 00:27:05.419 the first day 00:27:05.419 --> 00:27:05.859 of the week. 00:27:07.439 --> 00:27:08.359 And as we 00:27:08.359 --> 00:27:09.019 look back on 00:27:09.019 --> 00:27:09.539 that, it's 00:27:09.539 --> 00:27:10.359 hard even to 00:27:10.359 --> 00:27:11.000 capture the 00:27:11.000 --> 00:27:11.740 full significance 00:27:11.740 --> 00:27:12.240 of this 00:27:12.240 --> 00:27:12.740 reality. 00:27:14.039 --> 00:27:15.159 It factors 00:27:15.159 --> 00:27:16.220 into so much. 00:27:17.379 --> 00:27:17.759 We could 00:27:17.759 --> 00:27:19.299 celebrate just 00:27:19.299 --> 00:27:20.039 the ultimate 00:27:20.039 --> 00:27:20.960 power of 00:27:20.960 --> 00:27:22.480 God, which 00:27:22.480 --> 00:27:23.399 he displayed by 00:27:23.399 --> 00:27:24.259 raising Jesus 00:27:24.259 --> 00:27:24.980 from the dead. 00:27:26.099 --> 00:27:26.859 We could 00:27:26.859 --> 00:27:27.939 reflect on what 00:27:27.939 --> 00:27:28.619 it means that 00:27:28.619 --> 00:27:29.299 God is the 00:27:29.299 --> 00:27:30.000 author of 00:27:30.000 --> 00:27:30.879 life itself 00:27:30.879 --> 00:27:33.439 and even 00:27:33.439 --> 00:27:34.259 the restorer 00:27:34.259 --> 00:27:36.619 of life to 00:27:36.619 --> 00:27:37.059 those who 00:27:37.059 --> 00:27:37.539 have died. 00:27:38.419 --> 00:27:39.079 We could 00:27:39.079 --> 00:27:39.679 think about how 00:27:39.679 --> 00:27:40.459 this resurrection 00:27:40.459 --> 00:27:41.079 is like the 00:27:41.079 --> 00:27:42.239 ultimate vindication 00:27:42.239 --> 00:27:44.099 of Jesus, the 00:27:44.099 --> 00:27:44.939 ultimate triumph 00:27:44.939 --> 00:27:45.799 over all his 00:27:45.799 --> 00:27:48.079 enemies, and 00:27:48.079 --> 00:27:48.619 not just the 00:27:48.619 --> 00:27:50.819 human ones, but 00:27:50.819 --> 00:27:51.459 even the devil 00:27:51.459 --> 00:27:53.099 who tempted 00:27:53.099 --> 00:27:55.119 him in the 00:27:55.119 --> 00:27:55.459 wilderness. 00:27:55.460 --> 00:27:55.660 happiness. 00:27:56.940 --> 00:27:57.660 We could 00:27:57.660 --> 00:27:58.519 celebrate that 00:27:58.519 --> 00:27:58.920 Jesus' 00:27:59.140 --> 00:27:59.840 resurrection is 00:27:59.840 --> 00:28:00.420 the ultimate 00:28:00.420 --> 00:28:01.299 proof that 00:28:01.299 --> 00:28:02.440 he is the 00:28:02.440 --> 00:28:03.100 king, he is 00:28:03.100 --> 00:28:04.039 the Messiah that 00:28:04.039 --> 00:28:04.779 God has chosen 00:28:04.779 --> 00:28:06.100 for us. 00:28:07.279 --> 00:28:08.100 All of these 00:28:08.100 --> 00:28:08.779 things are true, 00:28:09.120 --> 00:28:09.720 all of these 00:28:09.720 --> 00:28:10.100 things are 00:28:10.100 --> 00:28:10.559 wonderful. 00:28:11.600 --> 00:28:12.279 They're all good 00:28:12.279 --> 00:28:13.079 things to meditate 00:28:13.079 --> 00:28:14.000 on and rejoice 00:28:14.000 --> 00:28:15.079 in today, 00:28:15.799 --> 00:28:17.259 reasons to 00:28:17.259 --> 00:28:18.160 worship Jesus. 00:28:19.200 --> 00:28:20.120 But one thing 00:28:20.120 --> 00:28:20.880 that I'm drawn to 00:28:20.880 --> 00:28:21.620 again and again, 00:28:21.779 --> 00:28:22.559 year after year, 00:28:22.559 --> 00:28:24.119 is this very 00:28:24.119 --> 00:28:25.039 simple connection. 00:28:26.879 --> 00:28:27.740 What did 00:28:27.740 --> 00:28:28.639 Jesus promise 00:28:28.639 --> 00:28:30.299 to those who 00:28:30.299 --> 00:28:30.799 believe in 00:28:30.799 --> 00:28:31.039 him? 00:28:35.319 --> 00:28:36.000 Eternal 00:28:36.000 --> 00:28:36.759 life. 00:28:38.639 --> 00:28:39.759 He promised 00:28:39.759 --> 00:28:40.539 to raise 00:28:40.539 --> 00:28:42.539 them from 00:28:42.539 --> 00:28:43.019 the dead. 00:28:44.139 --> 00:28:45.139 He promised 00:28:45.139 --> 00:28:45.819 them life 00:28:45.819 --> 00:28:46.859 forever in 00:28:46.859 --> 00:28:47.359 the coming 00:28:47.359 --> 00:28:48.039 kingdom of 00:28:48.039 --> 00:28:48.359 God. 00:28:49.779 --> 00:28:50.720 The gospel 00:28:50.720 --> 00:28:51.299 accounts of 00:28:51.299 --> 00:28:52.519 Matthew, Mark, 00:28:52.779 --> 00:28:53.700 Luke, and 00:28:53.700 --> 00:28:54.440 John are 00:28:54.440 --> 00:28:55.659 full of 00:28:55.659 --> 00:28:56.299 these many 00:28:56.299 --> 00:28:56.819 promises. 00:28:59.119 --> 00:29:00.099 Can Jesus 00:29:00.099 --> 00:29:01.480 make good on 00:29:01.480 --> 00:29:02.139 these promises? 00:29:03.899 --> 00:29:04.919 Can he give 00:29:04.919 --> 00:29:06.019 us eternal 00:29:06.019 --> 00:29:07.139 life? 00:29:10.279 --> 00:29:11.339 Can he really 00:29:11.339 --> 00:29:12.099 raise us from 00:29:12.099 --> 00:29:12.559 the dead 00:29:12.559 --> 00:29:14.000 after we die? 00:29:16.220 --> 00:29:17.019 Will he 00:29:17.019 --> 00:29:17.759 really be the 00:29:17.759 --> 00:29:19.659 king of 00:29:19.659 --> 00:29:20.159 that great 00:29:20.159 --> 00:29:20.680 kingdom of 00:29:20.680 --> 00:29:21.120 God of 00:29:21.120 --> 00:29:21.460 which he 00:29:21.460 --> 00:29:21.840 spoke? 00:29:22.120 --> 00:29:22.460 Will he 00:29:22.460 --> 00:29:22.820 be on 00:29:22.820 --> 00:29:23.279 the throne? 00:29:25.200 --> 00:29:25.500 Well, the 00:29:25.500 --> 00:29:26.279 resurrection of 00:29:26.279 --> 00:29:27.320 Jesus from 00:29:27.320 --> 00:29:28.100 the dead is 00:29:28.100 --> 00:29:29.480 proof that 00:29:29.480 --> 00:29:30.400 God can 00:29:30.400 --> 00:29:31.420 give these 00:29:31.420 --> 00:29:32.000 things to 00:29:32.000 --> 00:29:32.320 us. 00:29:34.820 --> 00:29:35.700 He does 00:29:35.700 --> 00:29:36.460 indeed have 00:29:36.460 --> 00:29:37.100 the power 00:29:37.100 --> 00:29:38.279 to give 00:29:38.279 --> 00:29:38.960 life, 00:29:39.519 --> 00:29:41.840 to restore 00:29:41.840 --> 00:29:43.380 life where 00:29:43.380 --> 00:29:44.080 it was lost. 00:29:44.960 --> 00:29:45.259 The 00:29:45.259 --> 00:29:45.960 resurrection of 00:29:45.960 --> 00:29:46.640 Jesus is the 00:29:46.640 --> 00:29:47.820 guarantee that 00:29:47.820 --> 00:29:48.620 all the good 00:29:48.620 --> 00:29:49.299 promises of 00:29:49.299 --> 00:29:49.700 God to 00:29:49.700 --> 00:29:50.299 us will 00:29:50.299 --> 00:29:50.859 be kept 00:29:50.859 --> 00:29:52.180 for those 00:29:52.180 --> 00:29:52.599 who believe 00:29:52.599 --> 00:29:52.940 in his 00:29:52.940 --> 00:29:53.240 name. 00:29:54.200 --> 00:29:54.700 And that 00:29:54.700 --> 00:29:55.659 is something 00:29:55.659 --> 00:29:56.200 that makes 00:29:56.200 --> 00:29:57.240 me rejoice 00:29:57.240 --> 00:29:58.159 year after 00:29:58.159 --> 00:29:58.480 year. 00:29:59.619 --> 00:30:00.119 Listen to 00:30:00.119 --> 00:30:00.759 these precious 00:30:00.759 --> 00:30:01.339 words of 00:30:01.339 --> 00:30:03.259 Jesus to 00:30:03.259 --> 00:30:04.960 Martha just 00:30:04.960 --> 00:30:05.740 four days 00:30:05.740 --> 00:30:06.339 after the 00:30:06.339 --> 00:30:06.700 death of 00:30:06.700 --> 00:30:07.220 her brother 00:30:07.220 --> 00:30:09.819 and not 00:30:09.819 --> 00:30:10.480 long before 00:30:10.480 --> 00:30:11.559 Jesus himself 00:30:11.559 --> 00:30:12.399 died on the 00:30:12.399 --> 00:30:12.859 cross. 00:30:12.859 --> 00:30:15.479 from John 00:30:15.479 --> 00:30:16.279 chapter 11. 00:30:17.359 --> 00:30:17.659 Lord, 00:30:17.899 --> 00:30:18.399 Martha said 00:30:18.399 --> 00:30:19.039 to Jesus, 00:30:19.879 --> 00:30:20.859 if you 00:30:20.859 --> 00:30:21.279 had been 00:30:21.279 --> 00:30:21.619 here, 00:30:21.779 --> 00:30:22.240 my brother 00:30:22.240 --> 00:30:22.699 would not 00:30:22.699 --> 00:30:23.219 have died. 00:30:24.500 --> 00:30:25.159 But I 00:30:25.159 --> 00:30:25.519 know that 00:30:25.519 --> 00:30:25.979 even now 00:30:25.979 --> 00:30:26.439 God will 00:30:26.439 --> 00:30:26.740 give you 00:30:26.740 --> 00:30:27.240 whatever you 00:30:27.240 --> 00:30:27.659 ask. 00:30:29.039 --> 00:30:29.779 Jesus said 00:30:29.779 --> 00:30:30.079 to her, 00:30:31.000 --> 00:30:31.719 your brother 00:30:31.719 --> 00:30:32.859 will rise 00:30:32.859 --> 00:30:33.219 again. 00:30:36.899 --> 00:30:37.459 Martha 00:30:37.459 --> 00:30:37.939 answered, 00:30:37.940 --> 00:30:38.740 I know 00:30:38.740 --> 00:30:39.120 he will 00:30:39.120 --> 00:30:39.840 rise again 00:30:39.840 --> 00:30:41.180 in the 00:30:41.180 --> 00:30:41.740 resurrection 00:30:41.740 --> 00:30:42.779 at the 00:30:42.779 --> 00:30:43.460 last day. 00:30:45.940 --> 00:30:46.960 Jesus said 00:30:46.960 --> 00:30:47.279 to her, 00:30:47.680 --> 00:30:49.080 I am 00:30:49.080 --> 00:30:50.140 the 00:30:50.140 --> 00:30:50.680 resurrection 00:30:50.680 --> 00:30:52.200 and the 00:30:52.200 --> 00:30:52.559 life. 00:30:53.720 --> 00:30:54.340 The one 00:30:54.340 --> 00:30:54.860 who believes 00:30:54.860 --> 00:30:55.320 in me 00:30:55.320 --> 00:30:56.320 will live 00:30:56.320 --> 00:30:57.480 even though 00:30:57.480 --> 00:30:58.000 they die. 00:30:59.000 --> 00:30:59.720 And whoever 00:30:59.720 --> 00:31:00.660 lives believing 00:31:00.660 --> 00:31:01.120 in me 00:31:01.120 --> 00:31:02.019 will never 00:31:02.019 --> 00:31:02.400 die. 00:31:02.400 --> 00:31:04.660 do you 00:31:04.660 --> 00:31:04.960 believe 00:31:04.960 --> 00:31:05.259 that? 00:31:09.019 --> 00:31:09.560 After 00:31:09.560 --> 00:31:09.880 what we 00:31:09.880 --> 00:31:10.259 heard from 00:31:10.259 --> 00:31:10.560 Matthew 00:31:10.560 --> 00:31:10.860 this 00:31:10.860 --> 00:31:11.140 morning 00:31:11.140 --> 00:31:11.400 about 00:31:11.400 --> 00:31:11.580 what 00:31:11.580 --> 00:31:12.000 happened 00:31:12.000 --> 00:31:12.340 at the 00:31:12.340 --> 00:31:12.640 tomb, 00:31:13.920 --> 00:31:15.080 do you 00:31:15.080 --> 00:31:15.500 believe 00:31:15.500 --> 00:31:15.860 this? 00:31:18.460 --> 00:31:19.160 Do you 00:31:19.160 --> 00:31:19.480 believe 00:31:19.480 --> 00:31:20.100 that Jesus 00:31:20.100 --> 00:31:21.980 is the 00:31:21.980 --> 00:31:22.540 resurrection 00:31:22.540 --> 00:31:23.980 and the 00:31:23.980 --> 00:31:24.320 life? 00:31:25.519 --> 00:31:26.160 Do you 00:31:26.160 --> 00:31:26.560 believe that 00:31:26.560 --> 00:31:27.019 he can 00:31:27.019 --> 00:31:27.540 and will 00:31:27.540 --> 00:31:28.320 raise you 00:31:28.320 --> 00:31:29.380 from the 00:31:29.380 --> 00:31:29.640 dead 00:31:29.640 --> 00:31:32.320 someday? 00:31:32.400 --> 00:31:32.880 when he 00:31:32.880 --> 00:31:33.320 returns? 00:31:35.700 --> 00:31:36.540 This is 00:31:36.540 --> 00:31:36.860 the good 00:31:36.860 --> 00:31:37.400 news that 00:31:37.400 --> 00:31:37.920 Christ's 00:31:37.920 --> 00:31:38.400 resurrection 00:31:38.400 --> 00:31:39.700 declares. 00:31:41.620 --> 00:31:42.620 Along with 00:31:42.620 --> 00:31:43.180 the redemption 00:31:43.180 --> 00:31:43.680 that we 00:31:43.680 --> 00:31:44.400 talked about 00:31:44.400 --> 00:31:44.820 earlier, 00:31:45.320 --> 00:31:45.780 the forgiveness 00:31:45.780 --> 00:31:46.500 of sins, 00:31:46.900 --> 00:31:47.440 it declares 00:31:47.440 --> 00:31:48.040 the gracious 00:31:48.040 --> 00:31:49.420 gift of 00:31:49.420 --> 00:31:50.340 eternal life 00:31:50.340 --> 00:31:52.220 for all of 00:31:52.220 --> 00:31:52.600 us who 00:31:52.600 --> 00:31:53.040 believe in 00:31:53.040 --> 00:31:53.259 him. 00:31:54.540 --> 00:31:55.240 Life 00:31:55.240 --> 00:31:55.740 forever 00:31:55.740 --> 00:31:56.620 with God, 00:31:56.740 --> 00:31:57.460 with Jesus, 00:31:58.240 --> 00:31:58.940 in his 00:31:58.940 --> 00:31:59.340 kingdom. 00:32:00.820 --> 00:32:01.759 And there's 00:32:01.759 --> 00:32:02.380 nothing better 00:32:02.380 --> 00:32:02.860 than that. 00:32:06.000 --> 00:32:06.940 I want to 00:32:06.940 --> 00:32:07.720 invite you 00:32:07.720 --> 00:32:08.360 to stand. 00:32:08.480 --> 00:32:08.720 We're going 00:32:08.720 --> 00:32:09.780 to continue 00:32:09.780 --> 00:32:10.400 to celebrate 00:32:10.400 --> 00:32:11.100 and rejoice 00:32:11.100 --> 00:32:11.920 together with 00:32:11.920 --> 00:32:12.420 a couple more 00:32:12.420 --> 00:32:13.100 songs here. 00:32:13.779 --> 00:32:34.139 voy voy 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.139 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:36.139 voy 00:32:36.139 --> 00:32:34.139 ! 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:36.139 voy 00:32:36.139 --> 00:32:34.139 ! 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:36.139 voy 00:32:36.139 --> 00:32:34.139 !