Easter Festival

Easter Festival
March 23, 2008
John 20:1-9
The Sign of the Tomb

Introduction: The tomb is no proof of the resurrection. The body of Jesus could have been removed and destroyed. The empty tomb only says, “He is not here.” The tomb is a sign of the resurrection. At Christmas a sign was given of the incarnation — “And this shall be a sign to you. You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” Faith in the resurrection is not based on the empty tomb but in the living presence of Jesus. Yet an empty tomb speaks volumes for you and me today.

What the tomb signifies.

I)    Empty tomb — signifies the resurrection. This Gospel deals with the empty tomb. There is no explanation by an angel. There is no appearance of the risen Christ. Two men and a woman find emptiness and the abandoned grave clothes. The empty tomb in itself is no proof of the resurrection, for anything may have happened to the corpse to cause its disappearance. The empty tomb is a sign of the resurrection. It is a negative witness to the resurrection. It has significance only in the experience of the living Christ, the positive aspect of the Easter account. While our faith in the resurrection is not based on the vacant tomb, it does indicate that our faith is based on concrete, historical reality. It also says that Jesus did not rise only spiritually, but physically. The crucified body became the glorified body.

II)    Grave clothes — signifies that Jesus is alive. Two Disciples, Peter and John

A)    Observing the grave clothes – Three Greek words describe the scene.

1)   They saw the grave clothes – blepo- They were seen with “general sight.” The grave clothes were there as plain as day.

2)   They beheld the grave clothes  - theoreo – They were able “to scrutinize” what they saw.

3)   They saw – horao – Upon seeing they were able “to perceive with understanding”

B)  What is it that convinced Peter and John that Jesus had been raised from the dead? Answer: “grave clothes.”  If we had been there with Peter and John would we have seen what they saw? Would we have seen the aftermath of Jesus struggling to get up because of the linen wrappings? Ans. Not at all!

1)   Undisturbed grave clothes – Greek. keimena “to store in place”

2)   Raised a spiritual body – I Corinthians. 15:42-44 ‘So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: t is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.’

3)   Napkin — signifies that the resurrection was peaceful and planned. We are given in this Gospel only circumstantial evidence — empty tomb, grave clothes, and napkin. These constitute concrete evidence of a risen Christ. Do you need more evidence?  There are also countless eye witnesses, individuals who time and again encountered Jesus alive from the dead. For a period of 40 days Jesus walked, talked and ate with His disciples so they could truly know that He was alive from the dead.

4)   WHAT THE RESURRECTION MEANS TO US

(a) The Resurrection of the body of Christ is one of the most central and fundamental doctrines of the Christian Faith – I Corinthians 15:14,17. And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

(b) The Resurrection demonstrates how Jesus’ own predictions were fulfilled – John 2:19-22  Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spoke of the temple of his body. When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.

(c) The Resurrection was the main subject included in the gospel message throughout the book of Acts. [1]

(d) The Resurrection guarantees our justification – Romans 4:5; But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness;  Romans 3:26; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

(e) The Resurrection points to a new mode for all believers – I Corinthians15:20, 23; But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

Conclusion: The resurrection is not a myth, a faith, nor a figment of the imagination. It is not a story manufactured by disappointment and disillusioned disciples. The faith is grounded in facts. It happened in time and space. It is the core of what we believe for we truly are Easter people.

+Soli Deo Gloria+

[1] (Acts 1:22; 2:24, 31,32 ; 3:15,26; 4:2, 10, 33; 5:30; 10:40; 13:30, 33,34, 37; 17:3,18,32; 23:6,8; 24:15,21; 26:23) Turn and Read: Acts 1:22; 2:24,31,32