He told us what He would do. He promised many times that He would suffer, die, and then on the third be raised from the dead.
It’s the third day. The women are at the grave. The cemetery. What do you and the women expect to see there after three days? A corpse. To anoint it. To pay your last respects. To say your final farewell.
Little did you and the women know that there was another earthquake. A violent one. Just like when He died at 3:00 p.m. on Friday afternoon. Earthquakes are recorded in the Bible when God manifests Himself. Reveals Himself. The arm of the Lord’s strength was revealed in the bloody death of Jesus. And now at the tomb God is at work once again. For you. And for your justification! That is to say, your relationship with God has been changed forever because of what happened on that early Sunday morning in that borrowed tomb.
A heavy earthquake. And with it the angel of the Lord. He shows up with lightning like appearance. Whiter than snow clothes. He rolls away the sealed and secured stone door of the tomb like it’s nothing. And then he plops down on it using it as a chair. The guards shake in their boots like dead men. Who wouldn’t? After all, who sees something like this every day?
But Jesus said it would happen. He would suffer, die, and on the third rise from the dead.
Then the women show up. No need to be afraid the angel says. “No need to worry ladies. I know you expected to see the crucified corpse, anoint it, and lament what happened. Humanly speaking it was very sad, wasn’t it? But the body’s not here! That’s right! Don’t believe me? Well, be my guest. Take a good look. You saw where He was buried in here. See? There’s no body is there ladies? And you know why don’t you? Yes, that’s right. He has risen! Just like He promised!”
Just like He promised! Over and over again! The words of Jesus are put into their ears. And yours. His words that are Spirit and life! The angel is Jesus’ messenger. His preacher. “The crucified Jesus is not here folks! He has risen just as He said!” In those words the Holy Spirit bears witness and gives glory to Jesus. After all, Jesus is the one who died. Jesus is the one who rose. Jesus is the Savior.
What He promised He did! He suffered, died, and rose on the third day. And He did it all for you! No one else can do such a Savior job like that! No one else pulled off a suffering, dying, and rising. Only Jesus did. Just like He said.
And that’s good news! Because of Jesus all your sin is forgiven. God refuses to count it against you because of what Jesus did for you! And because there is forgiveness of sins in Jesus, you have peace with God. You have life and salvation.
Such good news is to be proclaimed. Preached and shouted for all. For every sinner. For disciples, you and me. For we too denied Him. We betrayed Him. We killed Him. Our sin hung Him there on the cross. We are responsible. We are guilty. And yet He prayed for us: “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they’re doing.” That’s right. We didn’t. And so He gave His life into death as the atoning sacrifice for all sin. The world’s. Yours and mine.
And God raised Him bodily from the grave on the third day. All is now set right. All is forgiven! Proof of that is Jesus: risen just like He said.
“So go now,” the angel says. “No need to stay here. Hurry up. Turn around. Tell the disciples that Jesus has risen from the dead. He’s gone ahead of you to Galilee. He’ll meet you there. I give you my word.” And so off they go. Full of joy and full of fear.
And along the way there He is! “Hello ladies! It’s me! I’ve risen! Just like I said.” They fall at His feet and worship Him. It’s the Lord! He’s not done speaking. There’s more to say. “Ladies, no need to fear. Believe me, I won’t hurt you. Trust me, I’m not out to get you. Yes, I am the judge of the living and the dead but I’ve got nothing against you. See my scars? See my wounds? They’re for you. I did this for you! You’re forgiven. Everything’s all right. Now, go tell my BROTHERS to go to Galilee. Tell them that I promise to meet them in Galilee. I’ll proclaim the same good news to them that I just proclaimed to you. Off you go ladies. No time to waste. Chop chop!”
Did you catch the key term in Jesus’ words to the women? “Brothers.” “Go tell my brothers.” Sinners are now His “brothers.” Members of His family. Not enemies. But brothers! Because of what He pulled off: a Good Friday and an Easter Sunday!
And so are you! Forgiven brothers and sisters of Christ Jesus Himself. Restored members of His family. His house. He meets you not in Galilee. He promises to meet you every day in His Word of promise first preached by Peter that, “everyone who believes in Jesus receives forgiveness of sins through His name.” (Acts 10:43). Jesus meets you in your Baptism. Put His name on you. Buried you with Him into His Good Friday salvation for you death! To you He speaks His baptismal promise: “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.” (Mark 16:16).
Yes, you are saved. He says so. And because He says so you belong to Him. He’s got you! You “have died” with Christ and all your sin died with Him. And you “have been raised with Christ” in His resurrection and in your Baptism.
He died for you. He rose for you. He did precisely what He promised. For you! Hidden with Christ you now are! He’s your life now. He is your life forever. And when He returns in glory on the Last Day you’ll see with your eyes with whom you’ve always been. In Christ!
He will not abandon you to the grave! His name has branded your body. His very life giving Body and Blood he gives you to eat and drink with the bread and wine. He has made your body a temple of His Spirit – the Spirit who is the Lord and Give of life! He dwells with you. Makes His home with you.
So that when the judge of the living and the dead cries out on judgment day, “Come out! Come out of your gave!” His words will do what they say. They will give what they say. Your body will be raised from the grave. Your resurrected bodies will be like His. Incorruptible. Immortal. Imperishable. And we will fall at His feet and worship Him: the crucified and risen Lord FOR YOU Jesus Christ.
In the Name of Jesus.
