The Resurrection At Jerusalem

Introduction

Today is the day that we celebrate the truth that a resurrection took place. And as most of you know, we’ve been looking at some of the Resurrection Scenes from the Word of God.

As a point of review, as far as I can tell, there are nine situations in the scripture, including the resurrection of Jesus Himself, when an individual who had died is resurrected from a state of death.

We have looked at the first resurrection scene which happened at a place called Zarephath in 1 Kings 17 during the ministry of the prophet Elijah. We looked at 2 Kings 4 at a place called Shunem, where Elisha was involved in the resurrection of the son of the great Shunammite woman.

Last Sunday night, we looked at 2 Kings 13, where after Elisha had died, there was a war taking place in Israel with the Moabites. And the Bible gives the brief record by saying…

(2 Kings 13:20-21) And Elisha died, and they buried him. And the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year. {21} And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.

This resurrection, in all likelihood, took place in Samaria, which was the capital city of the northern kingdom of Israel.

On Wednesday, we moved into the New Testament times, specifically to the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry. And during His earthly ministry, there were three individuals that were raised by Jesus from  a state of death. There was a young man at Nain, and there was Jairus’ daughter at Capernaum, and there was Lazarus at Bethany who were all raised from a state of deadness by the Lord Jesus.

Today, it is my assignment and my great privilege to share with you about the greatest resurrection in the Word of God. And it is the greatest event in history. We’re talking about The Resurrection that took place at Jerusalem.

Easton’s Bible Dictionary says…

The resurrection (of Jesus) is spoken of as the act (1) of God the Father (Psalm 16:10; Acts 2:24; 3:15; Romans 8:11; Ephesians 1:20; Colossians 2:12; Hebrews 13:20); (2) of Christ himself (John

2:19; 10:18); and (3) of the Holy Spirit (1 Peter 3:18).

Some of these references tell us that “God raised Him from the dead” and that Jesus was “quickened by the Spirit.” But unlike any other resurrection that took place, we are taught in the scriptures that Jesus raised Himself by His own power…

(John 2:19) Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

Resurrection of Christ

(John 10:17-18) Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. {18} No man taketh 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 commandment have I received of my Father.

It is unlike the other resurrection scenes in that Jesus has continued in His resurrected state for these two thousand years now. When by faith “women received their dead raised to life again” according to Hebrews 11:35, as far as I can tell, those who were raised … those sons at Zarephath and Shunem and Nain, that soldier at Samaria, that daughter at Capernaum, that friend and brother at Bethany … all of them died physically again and went back to the grave.

“And it is yet far more evident,” as the writer of Hebrews 7:15-16 said, “that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life”!

Unlike any of the others that were raised from death, and unlike any other person in human history,

Jesus said…

(Revelation 1:18) I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

When Jesus was crucified and died, it seem like hope died with Him. But as Chuck Swindoll said…

There is nothing like Easter to bring hope back to life. Easter has its own anthems. Easter has its own Scriptures. And Easter has its own proclamation: “He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said” (Matthew 28:6).

When Christians gather in houses of worship and lift their voices in praise to the risen Redeemer, the demonic hosts of hell and their damnable prince of darkness are temporarily paralyzed.

When pastors stand and declare the unshakable, undeniable facts of Jesus’ bodily resurrection and the assurance of ours as well, the empty message of skeptics and cynics is momentarily silenced.

• Our illnesses don’t seem nearly so final.Our fears fade and lose their grip.
• Our grief over those who have gone on is diminished.
• Our desire to press on in spite of the obstacles is rejuvenated.
• Our identity as Christians is strengthened as we stand in the lengthening shadows of saints down through the centuries, who have always answered back in antiphonal voice: “He is risen, indeed!”

A hope transfusion awaits us. It happens every year on Easter Sunday. Alleluia! Jesus lives, and so shall we!

(Excerpted from Day by Day)

John MacArthur wrote…

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the single greatest event in the history of the world. It is so foundational to Christianity that no one who denies it can be a true Christian. Without resurrection there is no Christian faith, no salvation, and no hope. “If there is no resurrection of the dead,” Paul explains, “not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain” (1 Corinthians 15:13-14). A person who believes in a Christ who was not raised believes in a powerless Christ, a dead Christ. If Christ did not rise from the dead, then no redemption was accomplished at the cross and “your faith is worthless.”

But thank God, He is risen! And this morning, it’s on my heart to share from Matthew’s record of some of the events of Resurrection morning. As we look at Matthew 28…

I. Let’s Consider The Grave Scene In This Passage

(Matthew 28:1–6)

A. We See The Visitors At The Grave Scene

There Were A Pair Of Mary’s

(Matthew 28:1) In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

Albert Barnes said…

As he rose on the morning of the first day, that day has always been observed in commemoration of so glorious an event.

[Came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary] From Mary Magdalene Christ had cast out seven devils. Grateful for his great mercy, she was one of his firmest and most faithful followers, and was first at the sepulchre, and was first permitted to see her risen Lord. The “other Mary” was not the mother of Jesus, but the mother of James and Joses (Mark). Mark says that “Salome” attended them. Salome was the wife of Zebedee, and the mother of James and John. From Luke (Luke 24:10) it appears that Joanna, wife of Chusa, Herod’s steward (see Luke 8:3), was with them. These four women, Mark says (Mark 16:1), having bought sweet spices, came to anoint him.

The name “Mary” comes from the old Hebrew name “Miriam.” And probably the Jewish families named their daughters after the sister of Moses. This name means “rebellion.” A preacher friend of mine told me recently that he was thinking about preaching a series on the Mary’s of the New Testament, and I asked him if he was going to call the series, “Mary, Mary, quite contrary.” But he said the thing about it is that none of those that bore that name were contrary, or rebellious. These two in particular were devoted followers of the Lord Jesus. In comparing scripture with scripture, we are able to conclude that “the other Mary” in Matthew 28:1 is the mother of James and Joses, and the wife of Cleophas or Alphaeus.

2. There Was A Powerful Messenger

(Matthew 28:2-4) And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. {3} His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: {4} And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

Just before God gave Moses the law on mount Sinai, the Bible says that “the whole mount quaked greatly” (Exodus 19:18). John 1:17 says that “the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” And as the mount quaked greatly when the law was given, “behold, there was a great earthquake (megas seismos)” (Matthew 28:2) when Jesus conquered the grave and brought grace and truth. It was like the drumbeat of creation heralding the march of the victorious King.

John MacArthur reminds us…

The angel did not move the stone in order to let Jesus out of the tomb, as many Easter stories and paintings suggest. If Jesus had the power to raise Himself from the dead, which He did (John 10:18), He certainly had the relatively minor power required to escape a sealed grave. As He demonstrated during several post-resurrection appearances, just as He was no longer bound by death, He was no longer bound by the limitations of the physical world or of time (see Luke 24:31; John 20:26). In His glorified form He could escape a closed grave just as easily as He could enter a closed room. In comparing the gospel accounts, it becomes clear that Jesus had already left the tomb when the stone was rolled away. The angel moved the stone not to let Jesus out but to let the women and the apostles in.

The Pulpit Commentary says of the stone that the angel…

Sat upon it. In triumph, and to show that it was not to be replaced; death had done its work, and now was vanquished. Angels’ appearances had always accompanied the great events in the history of the chosen people; angels had shown themselves at Christ’s birth, at his temptation, at his agony; now they guard his tomb.

The angels showed up when Jesus left the borrowed womb, and the angels showed up when Jesus left the borrowed tomb!

MacArthur said…

The guards were so awestruck that at first they shook for fear of him. Shook translates a Greek term that has the same root as “earthquake” in verse 2, indicating that the soldiers experienced personal earthquakes of both mind and body. But after a brief moment of shaking, they then became like dead men, paralyzed with fear. The idea seems to be that they not only became rigid but unconscious, completely traumatized by what they saw.

B. We See The Victory At The Grave Scene

There Is A Mention Of Jesus’ Death

(Matthew 28:5) And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

When the angel said that “Jesus … was crucified,” it points us back to the events in Matthew 27.

crucified – Greek 4717. stauroo, stow-ro'-o; from G4716; to impale on the cross; fig. to extinguish (subdue) passion or selfishness:--crucify.

We Think About The Chronology Of His Death

(Matthew 27:45-46) Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.

{46} And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

Three hours

We Think About The Cries Of His Death

Father Forgive Them For They Know Not What They Do – Luke 23:34 - Compassion For The Mob
Today Shalt Thou Be With Me In Paradise – Luke 23:43 - Conversion For The Malefactor
Behold Thy Son, Behold Thy Mother – John 19:26-27 - Concern For His Mother
My God, My God, Why Hast Thou Forsaken Me – Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34 - Cry For “My God”
I Thirst – John 19:28 - Culmination Of The Message

6.) It Is Finished – John 19:30 - Completion Of His Mission

7) Father, Into Thy Hands I Commend My Spirit – Luke 23:46 - Choice Of Mortality

We Think About The Cause Of His Death

The automatic human response would be that His was a death by crucifixion. But again John recorded these words of Jesus…

(John 10:17-18) Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. {18} No man taketh 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 commandment have I received of my Father.

They didn’t kill Him. He died willingly. The Bible says…

(Matthew 27:50) Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. Henry Dosker said

The peculiar symptoms mentioned by John (John 19:34) would seem to point to a rupture of the heart, of which the Saviour died. (From the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia)

He died of a broken heart!

2. There Is A Mention Of Jesus’ Departure

(Matthew 28:6) He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

The Pulpit Commentary says…

On this simple, but pregnant sentence, “He is risen,” depends the phenomenon of Christianity, in its origin, existence, continuance, extension, and moral power. “Death began with woman; and to women the first announcement is made of resurrection” (Hilary, quoted by Wordsworth, in loc.).

Barnes said…

[He has risen, as he said] Jesus had often predicted that he would rise, but the disciples did not understand it, and consequently did not expect it (Matthew 16:21; 20:19).

(Matthew 16:21) From that time forth began Jesus to show unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

(Matthew 20:17-19) And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, {18} Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, {19} And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.

The Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary says of the word “Come” that it is a…

Charming invitation! 'Come, see the spot where the Lord of glory lay. Now it is an empty grave. He lies not, but He lay there. Come, feast your eyes on it!'

II. Let’s Consider The Gospel Seed In This Passage

(Matthew 28:7–8)

A. Notice The Content Of Their Message

(Matthew 28:7) 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.

1. Jesus Is Alive

(Matthew 28:7) 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.

risen – Greek 1453. egeiro, eg-i'-ro; prob. akin to the base of G58 (through the idea of collecting one's faculties); to waken (trans. or intrans.), i.e. rouse (lit. from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or fig. from obscurity, inactivity, ruins, nonexistence):--awake, lift (up), raise (again, up), rear up, (a-) rise (again, up), stand, take up.

dead – Greek 3498. nekros, nek-ros'; from an appar. prim. nekus (a corpse); dead (lit. or fig.; also as noun):--dead.

Notice how this record corresponds to the gospel mentioned by Paul…

(1 Corinthians 15:1-4) Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; {2} By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. {3} For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; {4} And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

The Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary states…

[There shall ye see him] This must refer to those more public manifestations of Himself to large numbers of disciples at once, which He vouchsafed only in Galilee; because individually He was seen by some of those very women almost immediately after this (Matthew 28:9-10).

[Lo, I have told you] Behold, ye have this word from the world of light!

2. Jesus Is Anticipated

(Matthew 28:7) 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.

He had told them earlier that week…

(Matthew 26:32) But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.

Note that A. T. Robertson said…

Jesus did not say that He would not see any of them in Jerusalem. He merely made a definite appointment in Galilee which He kept. There is a further stage of anticipating Jesus that is promised to us as believers…

(John 14:2-3) In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. {3} And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

(Acts 1:9-11) And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a  cloud received him out of their sight. {10} And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; {11} Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

B. Notice The Characteristics Of Their Movement

(Matthew 28:8) And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

Again, A. T. Robertson said…

They had the greatest piece of news that it was possible to have. Mark calls it fear and ecstasy. Anything seemed possible now. Mark even says that at first they told no one anything for they were afraid (Mark 16:8).

1. As They Went To Share The Message, There Was Reverence

The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament says of the word “fear” (NT:5401)…

What the women fear is not the resurrection itself but the empty tomb and the strange message of the angel. Matthew 28:8 adds the element of joy to the fear, and Luke 24:22 refers only to astonishment and joy.

The Emmaus road disciples said…

(Luke 24:22) Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;

astonished – Greek 1839. existemi, ex-is'-tay-mee; from G1537 and G2476; to put (stand) out of wits,

i.e. astound, or (reflex.) become astounded, insane:--amaze, be (make) astonished, be beside self (selves), wonder.

Mark records that “they trembled and were amazed”…

(Mark 16:8) And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.

amazed – Greek 1611. ekstasis, ek’-stas-is; from G1839; a displacement of the mind, i.e. bewilderment, “ecstasy”:--+ be amazed, amazement, astonishment, trance.

This fear has to do with dread and terror, but it also suggests a respect and reverence. Probably, it suggests a combined idea of trembling and trepidation and astonishment and bewilderment and reverence.

2. As They Went To Share The Message, There Was Rejoicing

(Matthew 28:8) And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

great – Greek 3173. megas, meg'-as [includ. the prol. forms, fem. megale, plur. megaloi, etc.; comp. also G3176, G3187]; big (lit. or fig., in a very wide application):--(+ fear) exceedingly, great (-est), high, large, loud, mighty, + (be) sore (afraid), strong, X to years.

joy – Greek 5479. chara, khar-ah'; from G5463; cheerfulness, i.e. calm delight:--gladness, X greatly, (X be exceeding) joy (-ful, -fully, -fulness, -ous).

The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament says that this word “joy” (NT:5479) is used…

As a phenomenon, a direct feeling or better self-perception, as self-being in self-transport, joy is uniform, and so are its manifestations even to tears of joy. It is everywhere a culmination of existence: “Joy, beauteous spark divine.” It strains beyond itself.

Hope and joy had resurrected with Jesus! And as we go share the message, we do so with reverence and rejoicing.

III. Let’s Consider The Greeting Savior In This Passage

(Matthew 28:9–10)

A. There Is Grace In This Greeting

(Matthew 28:9) And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.

1. Some Have Pointed To The Essence Of Grace In This Greeting

Warren Wiersbe wrote that…

“All hail!” can be translated, Grace. What a marvelous greeting for the Resurrection Day!

Grace is translated from the Greek term charis (NT:5485), while “hail” is translated from the Greek term chairo or chairete (NT:5463). The two terms are closely related.

Whether it was a greeting of grace or no, it was certainly a gracious greeting.

2. Some Have Pointed To The Effect Of Grace In This Greeting

Matthew Henry said…

The salutation wherewith He accosted them (was) ‘All hail’ — chairete. We use the old English form of salutation, wishing all health to those we meet; for so All hail signifies, and is expressive of the Greek form of salutation here used, answering to that of the Hebrew, Peace be unto you. And it bespeaks the good-will of Christ to us and our happiness.

The Thayer’s Greek Lexicon says that this word “Hail” (NT:5463 – Chairete) means “in a broader sense, to be well, to thrive,” and it is has been translated into the Latin word salve. So Jesus came and put salve on their hurting hearts.

B. There Is Gladness In This Greeting

Notice The Gladness In The Words

(Matthew 28:9) And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.

Albert Barnes said of the words “All Hail”…

This is a term of salutation. The word All has been supplied by the translators. It is not in the original. The meaning of the word “hail,” here, is rejoice; a term of salutation connected with the idea of joy at His resurrection, and at meeting them again.

The Pulpit Commentary says…

Behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail! (Chairete): literally, Rejoice ye! This … salutation … came with peculiar significance on their lately sorrow-stricken hearts. So He had said to His apostles, “Your sorrow shall be turned into joy” (John 16:20), and now He made good His word.

2. Notice The Gladness In The Worship

(Matthew 28:9) And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.

The Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary said of the fact that “they came and held Him by the feet,” … “How truly womanly!” But it is more to be identified with worship than with womanhood.

worshipped – Greek 4352. proskuneo, pros-koo-neh'-o; from G4314 and a prob. der. of G2965 (mean. to kiss, like a dog licking his master's hand); to fawn or crouch to, i.e. (lit. or fig.) prostrate oneself in homage (do reverence to, adore):--worship.

The Pulpit Commentary says…

As soon as they saw him, they went to him with glad surprise, and yet with such awe, that they could only fall down before him and tenderly clasp his feet. … These women clung to Christ with something higher than natural, earthly affection, acknowledging his super-humanity, and … they remained at his feet in profound adoration.

Barnes says they…

[Held him by the feet] Or threw themselves prostrate before him. This was the usual posture of supplication.

When the woman of Shunem had her son raised to life…

(2 Kings 4:37) Then she went in, and fell at his (Elisha’s) feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son, and went out.

When these women had their savior restored to life, they also fell at His feet and bowed themselves to the ground. The proper response to resurrection is worship!

C. There Is Also A Galilee In This Greeting

(Matthew 28:10) Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

Galilee – Greek 1056. Galilaia, gal-il-ah'-yah; of Heb. or. [H1551]; Galilaea (i.e. the heathen circle), a region of Pal.:--Galilee.

1. Jesus Spoke Of A Fearless Experience

afraid – Greek 5399. phobeo, fob-eh'-o; from G5401; to frighten, i.e. (pass.) to be alarmed; by anal. to be in awe of, i.e. revere:--be (+ sore) afraid, fear (exceedingly), reverence.

He said that they should not be alarmed or frightened. He comforted them and gave them courage. He does the same for us as we go out with His message.

2. Jesus Spoke Of A Future Encounter

He said they would see Him again. And He has told us that same thing!

Conclusion

Alfred H. Ackley wrote these memorable words that remind us of the resurrection that took place at Jerusalem…

I serve a risen Savior, He's in the world today;

I know that He is living, whatever men may say.

I see his hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer And, just the time I need Him, He's always near.

In all the world around me I see His loving care, And tho' my heart grows weary, I never will despair.

I know that He is leading thro' all the stormy blase; The day of His appearing will come at last.

Rejoice, rejoice, O Christians, lift up your voice and sing Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King!

The Hope of all who seek Him, the Help of all who find, None other is so loving, so good and kind.

Refrain

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!

He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way. He lives, He lives salvation to impart!

You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.