HE IS RISEN

Matthew 28:5-7 “Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was [[crucified]].  He is not here: for he is risen, as he said.  Come, see the place where the Lord lay.  And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.”

There has never been a more glorious message!  These words of joy and hope were spoken by the messenger from God to inform the women who for three days had lived in fear and disappointment.  The disciples had fled and were all cowered in a closed room, fearful of the authorities and confused by the circumstances of the day of the Passover.  It appeared that all but the enemies of Jesus had forgotten His proclamation that after three days He would rise from the dead.

First, let it be noted that every effort made by the human authorities to guarantee that Jesus’ body would remain in the tomb was removed.  The guards had fled.  The stone was rolled away.  The Roman seal had been broken.

Secondly, the door was wide open allowing anyone who wanted to enter the tomb.  It was not removed for Jesus to leave, but for men to enter.  The angel not only explained the absence of Jesus but invited the women to see the place where his body had been placed.  Later Peter and John would find the grave clothes and the napkin used to wrap Jesus’ face lying neatly in the place where the body had been.

Thirdly, the proclamation of the angel declared that Jesus was no longer in the tomb because He had fulfilled His promise.  During His ministry, He had declared He would rise from the dead after three days.  Three marvelous words: “HE IS RISEN!” changed everything.  The hopelessness turned into joyful rejoicing.  The disappointment turned into unhindered motivation.  The defeated silence turned into unceasing proclamation.  Every other religious leader down through history is still in his grave awaiting the day when they will be called forth to meet the One who defeated death and the grave.

Lastly, the angel told the women to GO QUICKLY and tell the disciples.  The message to the disciples was two-fold.  He is risen, and He will meet you in Galilee.  Later Jesus Himself told the disciples that they were to go and proclaim the Gospel: His death, burial and resurrection.  After giving the order, the angels once again told them that Jesus would meet with them again because He would return in the same manner that He had ascended into heaven (Acts 1:11).

We celebrate the greatest of all victories today.  We celebrate it as we continue to proclaim it with the marvelous hope that we WILL meet Him and see Him face to face.