4/21                 Matthew 28:11-15 

As the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and told the leading priests what had happened. 12 A meeting with the elders was called, and they decided to give the soldiers a large bribe. 13 They told the soldiers, “You must say, ‘Jesus’ disciples came during the night while we were sleeping, and they stole his body.’  14 If the governor hears about it, we’ll stand up for you so you won’t get in trouble.”  15 So the guards accepted the bribe and said what they were told to say. Their story spread widely among the Jews, and they still tell it today. 

FOOLISHNESS

The foolishness of the world knows no bounds.  One either believes in Jesus or doesn’t.  We cannot cajole folks into believing in Jesus and we don’t need to waste our time with people that are overly critical of others and not serious about their faith.  Our job is to tell the story of our relationship with Jesus.  The Holy Spirit takes that witness and uses it in the lives of those who believe.  Trust in the Lord with all your heart and he will always be near you.  

4/20                 Matthew 28:9-10 

And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.” 

MEET

JESUS wanted to meet his disciples outside of Jerusalem in Galilee.  They would know the place.  He would be there.  Now you and I can be with Jesus everywhere we are but there are appointments we can make for a specific time each day that will build into our lives an awareness and an excitement about meeting with Him.  He wants to spend time with us.  Begin your time each day with Jesus.  Plan to meet him at the same place and the same time each day.  Prepare for your time with Him.  Plan to listen for what He says.  Jesus is Lord.  You and I have the privilege of spending time with the Lord of the Universe-Jesus.  

4/19                 Matthew 28:8 

The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message. 

JOY

When we can tell others about what has happened to us it should fill us with joy unless maybe we are not filled with the Holy Spirit.  Make sure that you have met Jesus and believe in Him and you will share that word with the World.  Declare the Good News.  God has come for His children.  

4/18                 Matthew 28:7 

And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.” 

FIRST

The women were the first to tell of the resurrection.  They came, they saw and they obeyed as they ran to tell the disciples.  Remember, we are called to receive the Good News and tell everyone about what has happened to us.  Believe and tell.   

4/17                 Matthew 28:5 

Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying.

FEAR

All of us are fearful creatures because deep in our heart we know that we have a limited time in this world.  The Angels knowing this told the women “Don’t be afraid.”  Jesus tells us that when we come to Him we no longer have to fear.  Our God and Father is in control. 

4/16                 Matthew 28:2-4 

Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. 3 His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. 4 The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint. 

WRONG

The Jewish leadership and their guards were wrong.  They were fighting against God now and they didn’t realize they had made a crucial error-they were not in control, God was.  

4/15                 Matthew 28:1 

Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb. 

NEW

This visit, this event would change the understanding of all the world.  God in the flesh had visited us and died for our sin.  Now He has defeated death and risen from the grave.  Praise God our savior has risen.  

4/14                 Matthew 27:62-66 

The next day, on the Sabbath, the leading priests and Pharisees went to see Pilate.  63 They told him, “Sir, we remember what that deceiver once said while he was still alive: ‘After three days I will rise from the dead.’ 64 So we request that you seal the tomb until the third day. This will prevent his disciples from coming and stealing his body and then telling everyone he was raised from the dead! If that happens, we’ll be worse off than we were at first.”  65Pilate replied, “Take guards and secure it the best you can.”  66 So they sealed the tomb and posted guards to protect it.

LIARS

The leadership, the guards all proven to be liars.  They didn’t know what was happening.  Jesus has risen from the grave.  

4/13                 Matthew 27:57-61 

As evening approached, Joseph, a rich man from Arimathea who had become a follower of Jesus, 58 went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. And Pilate issued an order to release it to him.  59 Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a long sheet of clean linen cloth.  60 He placed it in his own new tomb, which had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance and left. 61 Both Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting across from the tomb and watching. 

DONE

They loved Jesus.  They were His friends.  They thought it was over.  They were wrong.  It was just beginning.  Jesus conquered death by the power of God and rose from the dead.  

4/12                 Matthew 27:51-56 

At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, 52 and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead. 53 They left the cemetery after Jesus’ resurrection, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people. 54 The Roman officer and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, “This man truly was the Son of God!” 55 And many women who had come from Galilee with Jesus to care for him were watching from a distance. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James and Joseph), and the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee. 

JESUS

He died to save us.  He paid a price we could not pay.  He gave a life we could not give.  His death insured that we would have the opportunity of new birth into the family of God.