Jump Start # 1083

Mark 16:2 “Very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen.”

  Today is known as “Good Friday.” It is the Friday before Easter Sunday. The world tips it’s hat and gives notice to a tomb that is empty in Jerusalem. The first Christians honored the death and resurrection of Jesus in three ways. First, they partook of the Lord’s Supper each Sunday as evidence shows in the New Testament. Second, they told everyone they knew about the reasons for the death and resurrection of Jesus. That message was preached everywhere. Finally, they lived changed lives. They lived knowing that Jesus was alive and was their Lord and King.

The resurrection of Jesus wasn’t a once a year event. It wasn’t get it over with and let’s get on with other things. The death and resurrection of Jesus was the center of all things. It became a part of their DNA.

Our verse has always fascinated me. Mark tells of two Mary’s that came to the tomb. They were the first to know that Jesus was risen. John tells us that it was still dark. Luke says it was dawn. There is a discussion among the women about the large stone that covered the tomb. How would they move it. How would they get in. They must have not known that the tomb was sealed and that guards were ordered to stand near by and watch it.

Sunday morning, and the these two women have gathered very early. They didn’t wait until midday. They got up very early and traveled through the streets to make it to the grave. Chilly. Dark. Uncertain exactly what they would do. Driven by love. They came to anoint the dead body of Jesus. They brought with them spices to accomplish that task. They wanted to honor the one that they loved. They expected to find a body.

There is a sense of urgency, importance and priority with what they are doing. They came early in the morning. The apostles? Where are they? Distraught. Sleeping. Sad. They are no where near the tomb.

What a surprise when these women found the tomb empty. An angel tells them that He is risen, just as He said. Excited they rush back into the city and tell the apostles. Their story seems ridiculous. Peter is not sure. He rushes to the tomb and goes in. He sees the grave linens but no Jesus. His mind is spinning. He returns home. What must have been racing through his mind. All the lessons that Jesus had taught. How many times had He told them about what was going to happen. Now, where was He?

We know later Jesus appears to the disciples. They see Him. They hear Him. Doubts evaporate. Faith swells. He is alive. He has risen. They had witnessed others being resurrected but who was going to resurrect Jesus?  They never realized that He would. Death did not stop Jesus. He came forth.

Jesus tasted death. That is the one experience that we cannot get help from anyone else. Everyone we know that has passed away, stays that way. We don’t know anyone that died on a weekend and was back to work on Monday. The books, the stories about dying, going to Heaven for a few minutes and then coming back are without Biblical support. They fly in the face of what the Bible teaches. Something happened, but it wasn’t death. We can be certain about those things. Once the soul leaves the body, it takes an act of God, by an apostle or prophet to reunite the body and soul. Can’t happen today. No need for it to happen today.

So, here we are. We know people who have survived cancer. We know people who have lost jobs. We know people who had prodigals. We know people who have buried parents and children. We don’t know anyone who died and came back, that is, except Jesus. None of the people resurrected in the Bible ever repeated what they saw, felt, heard or smelled. Not one person. Not one person named the songs they heard. Not one person said that they saw a great grandfather who they never met. Not one person told of bright lights. Lazarus—nothing. Jairus daughter—nothing. The widow’s son—nothing. When Paul went to the third Heaven, he said it was unlawful for him to repeat anything. Nothing.

Then there is Jesus. He conquered death. He threw Satan to the ground and crushed that serpent’s head. Once Jesus came out of the grave, there was no other weapons in Satan’s arsenal. Christ won. Even His own death did not contain Him.

Our hope is in the resurrected Jesus. He is God. He is our Savior. He is our Hope. Death will not hold us either, because of Jesus. Our story does not have a “The End” to it. The cemetery is not the end of the journey for us. He lives so we can live.

Up from the grave He arose! Don’t move away from this. Don’t get so caught up in yourself that you sideline Jesus. Don’t fail to see that this IS the most important event in all of history. This one event, changed the course of eternity for millions of people.

Early in the morning, two women gathered at a tomb. That started the news…Jesus was risen!

Roger