The most important sacrifice was offered when God became flesh in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus left paradise called heaven and pitched His tent beside us on earth. He identified with humanity. He learned their names and wept when they wept and cried when they cried. Jesus was also killed trying to save those He loved. But in Jesus’ death was the hope for a new, better life – made available through the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.
THE LAW OF MOSES IS OVER – 16:1-2:
Our chapter begins by emphasizing twice that one week was over and another week had started. The law of Moses is often associated with death (Romans 7:7-11). The law defined sin. You and I would not know what sin is, that it offends the nature of God, unless God had told us. The problem with the law of Moses was that it was not designed to take away sin. Animal sacrifices were a temporary measure but not a permanent cure for sin. So, with the resurrection of Christ, the “Sabbath” – and the law of Moses which it symbolizes – was over.
PHYSICAL LAWS DO NOT APPLY – 16:3-4:
On the way to the tomb, early that morning, after the sun had risen, the women were discussing among themselves how they would move that huge stone that had been rolled in front of the cave where the body of Jesus lay. Matthew tells us that not only was there a huge stone standing in the way of the entrance, but there was also a Roman guard stationed there and the stone itself had been sealed with the governor’s seal. Nobody was going in or out of that tomb without the Roman authorities knowing about it.
But the concern of these three women was that stone. I assume the women knew the Roman guards were there. I also assume that the women could not expect the Roman guards to help them. Of course, all of that was a mute point because when they get to the tomb, they find that someone had already rolled the stone away from the entrance, not to let Jesus out, of course, but to let the eye witnesses inside!
Yet, physical laws do not apply when God chooses to set them aside. Because physical death is certain in our world, then the apostles had a hard time accepting the idea of a resurrection. That early Sunday morning reminded them that God is still in control – even of death.
THE ANGEL’S MESSAGE – 16:5-7:
1. “Do not be amazed.” – Why not? Jesus had told them several times He would raise from the dead: 8:31; 9:31; 10:34
2. The angel emphasizes the point that Jesus was dead.
3. But the next statement is the entire center of Christianity. It is the center foundation stone of all of Christianity – “He has risen. He is not here.”
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4. Next, we have the angel’s call to examine the evidence.
5. Knowing information is only half of God’s expectations He has of us. Doing something about it is the other half:
a. Go, tell His disciples.
b. And also tell Peter. Back in 14:66ff, Peter denied knowing Jesus. Peter said, “I do not know this man you are talking about!” Peter remembered Jesus’ prediction and Peter wept. But while Peter is weeping, God is forgiving and that’s the importance of the angel’s message here. Go tell Peter that he is forgiven. Go tell Peter that he gets a second chance. Go tell Peter that he is needed to help share this message of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
c. Finally, the angel tells the women to go meet Jesus in Galilee, just as Jesus promised them. It is there in Galilee, on a mountain side, that Jesus will give His disciples the great commission (Matt. 28:18-20).
Being a Christian is more than just knowing. It is also doing.
FEAR AND ASTONISHMENT – 16:8:
The women and all of Jesus’ disciples are going to quickly learn that it doesn’t matter what the authorities believe or do when it comes to Jesus Christ. Because you might kill the messenger, but you will not ever destroy the message.
“He has risen; He is not here,” is the greatest message the world has ever heard or will ever hear.
Death could not hold the Son of God. Death will not hold Jesus’ brothers and sister. Believe that and be baptized into Him to be saved.
Paul Holland
