SUNDAY April 17, 2022
The Power of the Resurrection
“Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”
Matthew 28:5-6
While the eleven remaining disciples hid in disbelief and doubt, certain women who loved Jesus Christ came to visit the tomb where His body was laid. It was dawn, the first day of the week, when all of a sudden, there was a great earthquake. An angel, whose countenance was like lightening and his clothing as white as snow, had rolled away the stone from the tomb and sat upon it.
The Pharisees and chief priests had requested from Pilate that the tomb be guarded. Ironically, Jesus’ enemies remembered that He had said, after three days, He would rise again. They wanted the tomb secured in case the body was stolen. The tomb was made secure, the stone sealed, and a guard set. They made sure it was impossible for anyone to come and steal Jesus’ dead body away (Matthew 27:62-64).
What was impossible for man was not impossible for God. Men in their unbelief tried to fight against the power of God. When the earthquake happened, and an angel rolled away the stone, the guards became as dead men––afraid. The religious leaders did not believe in the Resurrection of Christ, even though Jesus declared in John 10:17-18:
“Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”
Reassuringly, the angel spoke of Christ’s Resurrection. The women were to “...go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead...” So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word (Matthew 28:7-8).
Women became the first to spread the news of Jesus’ Resurrection. We are to proclaim to others the good news of the risen Christ.
The angel rolled away the stone from Jesus’ tomb, not to let the living Lord out but to let the unconvinced outsiders in.
~Donald Grey Barnhouse~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
