He Is Risen!

Transcript:

The following transcript was completed using AI software. Please note that there may be mistakes.

(0:00) Hey, if you guys would stand to honor the reading of God's Word, there we go. (0:04) We're going to read the first nine verses of John chapter 20, (0:08) and the word of the Lord this morning is this, chapter 20, verse 1. (0:13) On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early while it was still dark. (0:18) She saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb, and so she went running to Simon Peter and (0:23) the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, which most people believe that's John who's (0:27) actually writing this, and she said, they've taken the Lord out of the tomb and we don't (0:32) know where they put him.

At that, Peter and the other disciple went out heading for the tomb. (0:37) The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and got to the tomb (0:42) first. Stooping down, he saw the linen cloth lying there, but he did not go in.

(0:47) Then following him, Simon Peter also came. He entered the tomb and saw the linen cloth lying (0:52) there, and the wrapping that had been on his head was not lying with the linen cloth but had been (0:57) folded up in a separate place by itself. Verse 8, the other disciple who had reached the tomb (1:02) first then also went in, saw, and believed, for they did not understand the scripture that he (1:09) must rise from the dead.

Let's go ahead and pray once more. Father, we thank you that we are not (1:15) here today because of a grave that is full. We are thankful that we are not here today because (1:22) a tomb is still closed.

Lord, we are here today in full celebration of the fact that Jesus is alive, (1:28) that he is risen, that he did what the prophecy and the prophets fulfilled, that he did what only he (1:34) could do. Lord, it is through this that death has been defeated, that sin has been overcome, (1:41) and that ultimately, Lord, we have freedom of forgiveness in Jesus Christ. Lord, help us to (1:46) celebrate that today as we look at your word.

It's in the name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Amen.

(1:52) And for the last time, you guys may be seated. Hey, there's four things I want us to look at (1:57) this morning, and the first thing is this, is that the tomb is empty. The whole reason why we're here (2:03) today, this morning, is because the tomb is empty.

In fact, every time the church gathers here, it's (2:09) because after the crucifixion of Jesus, he did not remain buried, but he is alive. And this is very (2:17) different. Almost any other religion in the world, you can actually go and visit the tomb of that (2:23) figure, right? You can visit the tomb of Muhammad, of Buddha, right? All of these religious figures, (2:30) they lived and they died.

And the thing that really separates Christianity is the fact that (2:36) it's really the claim, and again, I believe the truth, that Jesus is alive, that ultimately the (2:42) prophecies were fulfilled, and that we don't serve a dead prophet or a dead person who said some (2:49) really good things, but we serve a risen Savior, that God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. And (2:55) because here's the thing, if the tomb is still empty, then you can disregard everything that's (3:00) been said in the Bible, because ultimately, it doesn't fulfill anything unless Jesus is alive. (3:07) And what we see here is that this, we see a woman named Mary Magdalene, we'll talk about her in a (3:13) second, and it says that she's at the tomb early on Sunday morning, and it's at this point in time (3:18) that she sees that the tomb is open, that there's nobody inside the tomb.

Now, just fun fact for you, (3:26) this is why the church gathers on Sunday mornings. If you're familiar with Jewish culture, Sabbath is (3:32) on Saturday, and so a lot of people are like, well, why doesn't the church meet on Saturdays? Because (3:37) every time we get together on Sunday morning, we remember and recognize that the tomb is empty, (3:43) right? That's what separates the church from the Jews in many ways. Now, typically, just kind of (3:50) fun fact for you, at this point in time in history, the tombs were not how we kind of think of (3:57) graves, right? Where there's kind of this rectangular, deep hole in the ground, and the casket is very (4:03) slowly lowered in and then covered with dirt, right? Oftentimes, these were either caves or (4:09) kind of holes that were dug into a hillside, and so the bigger the cave, again, the more prominent, (4:16) kind of more money, kind of things like that, and in this context, what we learn is it's a man (4:21) named Joseph of Arimathea who gives this tomb to Jesus, and it's believed that he's very wealthy, (4:28) and again, this would have been a tomb that had not been used, so it would have been a fairly, (4:32) you know, kind of like a cave in a hill, right? Most likely, and so at this point in time in (4:36) history, the way in which they covered these were these kind of limestone, almost like little (4:43) boulders, that were anywhere between one to two tons, and so they would be placed there, (4:49) and then after the body had been placed, there was kind of this little mechanism that they (4:53) released, and it basically rolled, and it covered the tomb, right? Moving a one to two ton, right, (4:59) stone is not easy.

Now, what Mary Magdalene says initially is that, hey, they stole him, (5:05) and here's why she thinks this. In Matthew chapter 27, verse 62, it says this, (5:10) After on the day of preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. (5:15) Sir, they said, we remember that while Jesus was still alive, that deceiver said, after three days, (5:20) I will rise again.

So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day, (5:25) otherwise his disciples may come and steal the body and tell people that he has been raised from (5:30) the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first. Verse 65, take guard, Pilate answered, (5:36) go and make the tomb as secure as you know how, and so they went and made the tomb secure by (5:41) putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.

So here's what's going on. Not only is this stone (5:47) super heavy, not only that, but they also, there's all of this kind of like, who's going to steal (5:52) Jesus, okay? And that's what I think is really kind of comical about this moment, is the religious (5:57) leaders and Pilate are like, all right, they're going to try to steal the body. Mary Magdalene (6:01) shows up, and she goes, hold on, somebody stole the body.

Everybody thinks that the body of Jesus (6:06) has been stolen, and they don't yet recognize the fact that he is actually alive. And so I think (6:11) one of the things that's really important for us is to know this this morning. So the tomb is empty, (6:16) yes, and we can kind of miss it, right? We can actually miss what's going on, and I think this (6:23) is put in scripture not only because it happened, but because it's a powerful reminder that we can (6:29) see the work of God, that the work of God can be completely evident and present, but we can miss it (6:35) because of our own perspective.

So this morning, I want you to know that the tomb is empty, and that (6:41) God is at work. My question is, do you see it, and do you believe? Because it took John seeing it to (6:50) believe, and it still says that they still didn't fully understand. Let's continue going on.

Verse 10 (6:57) says this, so then the disciples returned to the place where they were staying, but Mary stood (7:02) outside the tomb crying, and as she was crying, she stooped to look into the tomb. She saw two angels (7:08) in white sitting where Jesus's body had been laying, one at the head and the other at the feet, (7:13) and they said to her, woman, why are you crying? Because they've taken away my Lord, she told them, (7:18) and I don't know where they've put him. So again, I just time out.

She literally is speaking to (7:24) angels, okay? Let's just, again, and this isn't to hark on Mary. This is just to say she sees an empty (7:30) tomb. She's being spoken to by angels, and she's still going, they stole the body of Jesus.

Do you (7:36) not understand this, right? How much more is it easy for us to miss out? Verse 14, let's continue. (7:41) Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know it was Jesus. (7:48) Again, she's missing it.

Woman, Jesus said to her, why are you crying? Who is it that you're seeking? (7:54) Thinking he was the gardener, she replied, sir, if you've carried him away, tell me where you've put (7:58) him, and I will take him away. And Jesus said to her, Mary. And turning around, she said to him in (8:04) Aramaic, rabboni, which means teacher.

Verse 17, don't cling to me, Jesus told her, since I have (8:09) not yet ascended to the Father, but go to the disciples and tell them that I am ascending to (8:13) the Father and your Father, to my God and to your God. And Mary Magdalene went and announced to the (8:19) disciples, I have seen the Lord, and she told him what they said to her. So the tomb is empty.

Mary (8:25) misses it, but here's what I want us to see, that Jesus speaks and that Jesus sends. So Jesus speaks (8:32) and calls Mary by name. If there's any fans of The Chosen out here, you remember season one, (8:38) this is probably going to be in the next season, just a little plot, (8:42) spoiler alert for you.

But here's what I love, she's speaking to angels and she misses it. (8:48) She's speaking to Jesus and she doesn't recognize. And Jesus doesn't rebuke her, (8:54) he doesn't get on to her, and it says she begins to turn and walk away, because again, you can (8:59) imagine, it says that she's been crying.

I imagine she's been overwhelmed. I mean, she just watched (9:04) Jesus crucified. I mean, like we do have to understand in that context, like she has witnessed (9:09) the execution of Jesus.

I can't imagine what that does to you emotionally. So she's missing Jesus (9:16) and he speaks her name. And it's in this moment that she recognizes who Jesus is.

If the tomb (9:23) is empty, not if, the tomb is empty, and Jesus is alive and we can miss it. But here's what I want (9:30) you to also know this morning, that Jesus is calling to you by name. Not some generic, you (9:35) know, come as you are, not some everybody's gathered together, but Jesus is speaking your (9:42) name.

God is personal and he will not leave you questioning and wondering. That if you seek him, (9:50) I believe that he will reveal himself to you. Now, Jesus doesn't just speak and he doesn't just, (9:56) you know, like high-five, but he sends her on a mission.

He actually commissions Mary to go and (10:01) to share with the other disciples that he was alive. Now, why is this really important from a (10:07) gospel narrative perspective? Well, I'm not saying it's right. I'm just saying it's what is.

At this (10:12) point in time in history, the testimony of a woman would not have been regarded as legitimate. (10:18) Even a witness of women, like multiple women, would not have been considered, especially one (10:22) with Mary Magdalene's background. So Luke chapter 8 tells us this, that there were those traveling (10:28) with Jesus and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sickness.

Mary, called Magdalene, (10:35) seven demons had come out of her. So this woman has a history of, people would have known, she (10:40) had been demon-possessed. And at this point in time in history, it was believed that if you were (10:44) demonically possessed, it was because you had invited that into your life.

And it's possible, (10:50) right? Maybe that that's what ended up happening to Mary. But ultimately, her testimony would not (10:55) have been regarded in high esteem. And yet all the gospels record that it is women who have the (10:59) first encounter with Jesus, right? If you're trying to sell people on the fact that Jesus is actually (11:04) alive, from a historical perspective, these are not the people that you speak to.

And here's what I (11:10) think is also really important about that. That God speaks and that he sends, and God will use (11:16) anybody. If you feel very low, if you feel very unworthy, if you don't feel like you're deserving (11:23) of God's efforts in your life, I want you to know that it is often God who uses the least of these.

(11:30) That in our weakness, he is made strong. He shows himself powerful in our hardships and in our (11:35) difficulties. So the tomb is empty this morning and we can celebrate that, but we don't just (11:40) celebrate an empty tomb, but we also know that God is speaking to us.

He is calling you by name (11:46) because he knows you personally. And because salvation is personal, you can't be saved for (11:52) somebody else. You can't receive salvation and go, okay, I'm going to start, you know, like the more (11:59) I read the Bible and the more I, you cannot save other people.

It is a personal gift that you must (12:04) choose to receive yourself. But at that moment, it's also not just for you to hold onto, but it's (12:11) for you to do something with. And God is sending you on mission.

Let's continue reading this morning, (12:17) chapter 20, verse 19. So she's told the disciples he's alive. When it was evening on that first day (12:24) of the week, the disciples were gathered together.

So this is just later that day with the doors (12:29) locked because they feared the Jews. Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, (12:35) peace be with you. Having said this, he showed them his hands and his side.

So the disciples (12:41) rejoiced when they saw the Lord. I want you to know the third thing is this, that Jesus brings (12:46) peace over fear. I would imagine it's very understandable why they were cowering in fear.

(12:53) They, again, just witnessed the brutal murder and execution of Jesus. I would imagine so that I (13:01) would also be in fear. And yet, here's what happens.

Jesus appears to them and he doesn't say, what are (13:07) you doing? He doesn't say, why are you hiding? He doesn't say, didn't I tell you? He just says, hey, (13:13) peace be with you. I think this is great because earlier in John, we learn in John chapter 16, (13:19) verse 33, Jesus is telling his disciples, I'm going to leave. And they just don't understand.

(13:26) They're just not getting it. But he says to them, I have told you these things so that in me, in (13:32) Christ, you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world.

Be courageous. I have conquered the (13:40) world. I want you to know this.

There's a lot in this world of fear. There's a lot in this world to (13:45) tremble at. There's a lot in this world that is challenging and difficult.

There's a lot in this (13:50) world that brings anxiety and just worry, but peace be with you. That if you know the tomb is empty (13:59) and you know that you have a personal relationship with the savior of the world, the creator of the (14:05) universe, if you know that God has called you and commissioned you to live out the purposes he has (14:12) for you, then we have nothing to fear. Now, again, from a human perspective, we understand why fear (14:18) happens, right? But you have nothing to fear.

Be courageous. Jesus says, hey, listen, I want you to (14:23) know this. Following me does not mean your life will be easy.

And I think that's one of the worst (14:30) things that people have been taught in a church setting, is if you will come to Jesus, then (14:34) everything, hey, Jesus does, an encounter with Jesus does solve a lot of problems in our life, (14:39) right? Like there's a lot of freedom that we have and purpose that we're given, but it doesn't mean (14:44) life is easy. And I think there's a misconception there, but I want you to know that the peace of (14:50) God will be with you. And then last but not least, as we think about Jesus is risen, verse 21, (14:58) Jesus says to them again, so they're still not getting it.

Again, do you feel in good company (15:03) this morning? If you feel like you don't get it, if you feel like you miss it a lot, (15:08) you're in good company. The people who walked with Jesus don't get it. He has to tell them again, (15:12) peace be with you.

As the father has sent me, I have also sent you. After saying this, he breathed (15:19) on them and said, receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven.

(15:23) If you retain the sins of any, they are retained. But Thomas, one of the 12 was not with them when (15:28) Jesus came. So the other disciples were telling them, we have seen the Lord.

But he said to them, (15:32) if I don't see the mark of the nails in his hand, put my finger into the mark of the nails (15:36) and put my hand into his side, I will never believe. A week later, his disciples were indoors (15:42) again. They're still afraid.

And Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, (15:47) Jesus came and stood among them and said, number three, peace be with you. Then he said to Thomas, (15:53) put your finger here and look at my hands, reach out your hands and put it into my side.

(15:57) Don't be faithless, but believe. And Thomas responded to him, my Lord and my God. And Jesus (16:03) said, because you have seen me, you have believed.

Blessed are those who have not seen and yet (16:09) believe. Verse 30, Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are (16:14) not written in this book. But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, (16:20) the son of God, and that by leaving, you may have life in his name.

Right here, really, (16:26) we see the purpose of the gospel. The purpose of the gospel. I think Thomas is really a beautiful (16:32) example of why the gospel exists and really the disciples.

I love it. Jesus tells them twice, (16:39) peace be with you. They see Jesus.

And a week later, where do we still find them? We see them (16:45) shut in, locked again. And now you have Thomas. And again, Thomas gets a little bit of a bad (16:50) rap, right? We call him doubting Thomas.

And it's pretty prominent, but it's not like the (16:54) other disciples were doing much better in this moment, right? And ultimately here's what ends (17:00) up happening. It is through an encounter with Jesus that he believes. And Jesus says this, (17:08) because you've seen me, you believe.

I've not seen Jesus personally. I've not had the privilege of (17:18) putting my hands in the nail holes or touching his side. And Jesus says this, (17:23) blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.

(17:27) You know, we live in a world where everything has to be proven. Everything has to be validated. (17:33) Everything has to, sorry, the things that we think are important.

Everything else we just (17:37) kind of take for granted. And yeah, this is true. But we live in a world where we're often like, (17:42) prove to me, tell me that you, tell me, show me the proof, God.

And I just want to encourage you (17:47) this morning that these things are written. This word is written. It's not necessarily just a (17:53) guidebook to life.

It's not rules and regulations to follow. Are those things in here? Oh, absolutely. (17:59) Like, let's not deny that.

But John writes that these things are written so that you may believe (18:06) that Jesus is the Messiah. The word of God stands firm and stands true. This morning, I want you to (18:14) know that there's a purpose in the gospel.

The gospel message that Jesus Christ was born, (18:20) that he lived a perfect life, that there was no sin to be found in him. And yet, despite that, (18:26) he was sent to the cross, not because he was deserving of it, but because that was the way (18:32) God said, you're going to take on the sins of the world. And all sins of the world on the cross, (18:37) past, present, and future, were put on Jesus.

We call it the wrath of God. And when Jesus says, (18:42) it is finished, it was paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ, by the blood of the lamb, (18:47) and that he was put into a tomb, and three days later, he rose again. And that because of that, (18:54) you and I can have freedom in Christ.

I'd encourage you, there's probably at least three. (19:00) You may find yourself in all three categories, and that's fine. But there's at least three people (19:04) in here.

The scholar, the struggler, and the skeptic. The scholar is the person who has heard (19:10) this sermon a thousand times, that you know the Bible. And I want to encourage you with this, (19:17) is number one, you need the Holy Spirit.

The disciples walked with Jesus, heard the word of (19:21) Jesus, and he says, hey, receive the Holy Spirit. And I don't want you to miss out, just because (19:26) you know it intellectually. Don't miss out on the fact that God is speaking to you, and God has a (19:33) work for you.

Maybe you're in here this morning, and you're the struggler, that you just cannot, (19:38) like right, you can't see the forest through the trees. Like everything is just this one thing, (19:44) and it's like becoming your whole identity, this struggle. I want to encourage you this morning, (19:49) you need the peace of God in your life.

And you can have that peace because the tomb is empty. (19:55) And because the tomb is empty, you can have the full peace of God, and if you feel like you miss (19:59) it, that's okay. Don't we all? The third person in here is probably the skeptic, the person who's (20:04) going like, this is really hard.

And maybe you're even a Christian, you're a little like, this is (20:09) hard to believe sometimes. I would say sometimes I'm right there with you. I know it to be true, (20:15) but my head and my heart are often in conflict with each other.

And I want you to do what Jesus (20:20) says, is don't be faithless, but have faith in Christ. What are you building your life on? (20:27) Because if it's anything other than Jesus Christ, and the hope we have in Him, the Bible says it is (20:33) will fade. So today, guys, church, the tomb is empty, and we have reason to celebrate.

(20:40) So this morning, if you're in here and you're like, Pastor Bryson, I'm a Christian, I know I'm (20:44) a follower of God, but I am struggling to believe, then here's what I'd encourage you this morning, (20:51) as we sing our song of response, would you just take whatever that is? I always like to encourage (20:56) people, just imagine it, that you're holding onto it, whatever it is. And I just want you to put it (21:01) at the foot of the cross, the spot where Jesus paid for those things, the spot that because of (21:08) the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, you have freedom from that thing, and I want you to lay it down, (21:12) and I want you to walk away. And not because out there it's not going to still exist, but because (21:17) you are just saying, Lord, I surrender this to you.

Again, maybe it's your head knowledge, (21:22) maybe it's your struggle, maybe it's your skepticism, I don't know what it is. (21:26) And if you're in here this morning, you're like, Pastor Bryson, I know I'm not a Christian, (21:28) no, I'm not a follower of Jesus, and it's hard to believe. Hey, don't get me wrong, (21:34) I understand it's a big claim that Jesus is alive, and you're like, I've never seen it.

(21:39) Blessed are those who believe who have not seen. If you have questions or you want to talk to (21:44) somebody, I'm here, Aaron's here, we're available to talk and pray with you. Let's stand as we (21:48) honor the Lord with a time of response.

I want to encourage you this morning, take a moment to pray, (21:53) to seek the Lord, just to worship and to celebrate Him for who He is and His goodness in your life. (21:59) Father, God, we thank you once more for Jesus. God, help us this morning to take our eyes off (22:06) of our situation, to not look at our knowledge or what we think we know, not even to look at (22:14) our doubts, but Father, to look at you, Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, Lord, (22:21) the one who paid the price on the cross, the great I Am, the Lamb of God, the King of kings (22:27) and Lord of lords, whose name is above all other names, that at the name of Jesus, every knee (22:32) will bow and every tongue will confess.

God, help us to turn our eyes to you this morning, (22:39) to believe even though we haven't seen. We thank you and we praise you. (22:43) It's in the name of Jesus we pray.

Amen.