By Jay McCluskey
Pastor, North Cleveland Baptist Church, Cleveland
Focal Passage: Matthew 28:1-10
On June 2, 2008 Michael O’Neill of Middlesbrough, England, decided to take a last minute trip to Australia to visit a friend. He did not tell anyone of his plans. When his neighbors, who had not seen him in several days, grew worried, they called the police. The police broke down the door of his apartment only to find no sign of O’Neill nor any indication of where he went. Weeks later, with no further evidence, a death notice for Michael O’Neill appeared in the local paper. O’Neill arrived back home on Aug. 11 to find his front door mysteriously smashed. For several days, wherever he went, people grabbed hold of him saying, “I thought you were dead!”
This is the exclamation throughout the story of Jesus’ resurrection. The people who loved Jesus thought He was dead. They had experienced three dreadful days. The women coming to the tomb that morning were expecting to find death. Instead they found life. To their utter delight, Jesus was alive!
Share the resurrection with Jesus. “Suddenly there was a violent earthquake, because an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and approached the tomb. He rolled back the stone and was sitting on it” (Matthew 28:2 HCSB).
While the other gospels tell us that the stone was rolled away. Matthew alone tells us that an angel rolled it back. The estimated weight of that stone was 300 pounds. But this angel moves it aside as if it is a mere pebble. Matthew also adds that the angel sat on the stone. This is a position of more than mere victory. It communicates domination over the grave, death, and all the stone represented.
I remember country comedian Jerry Clower using the expression “graveyard dead.” Jesus was “graveyard dead” in the tomb. But unlike all others, death could not kill Him and the grave could not hold Him. His resurrection validates everything He said about Himself, especially His claims to have authority over death itself: “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live” (John 11:25 HCSB).
Death has a heavy feel of finality. Death seems to be the end. But the resurrection confidently declares the power of Jesus’ victory over the grave. By trusting in Him, we share in this victory! If I am going to see life after death, I must totally depend on a power that is above and beyond my own.
Share the resurrection about Jesus. The angel’s assignment that resurrection morning was two-fold: Roll away the stone AND share the good news:
“But the angel told the women, ‘Don’t be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here! For He has been resurrected, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay’ ” (Matthew 28:5-6 HCSB).
Note that the stone is NOT rolled away so that Jesus could exit the tomb. Rather, it served as evidence of His resurrection. The angel extends an eternal invitation for folks to “come and see.” Then the angel instructs the two Marys to take this news and share it with the disciples. “Then go quickly and tell His disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead. In fact, He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see Him there.’ Listen, I have told you” (Matthew 28:7 HCSB). A few verses later, Jesus Himself appears before them and repeats their orders to tell the disciples (Matthew 28:10).
These women were the first evangelists to tell the good news of Jesus’ resurrection. And it is simply the nature of good news to be shared. In fact, every follower of Jesus throughout history learned of His conquest over the grave because someone obediently shared this good news.
The Diagram Prize is awarded by a British publication to recognize the book with the oddest title of the year. A few years ago one finalist was: People Who Don’t Know They Are Dead.
Followers of Jesus are “people who KNOW they are NOT dead.” And we know that we NEVER will be dead. This is the victory we share and declare: Sin, Satan, and death threw their best punch at Calvary’s Cross. Yet this was not enough. The resurrected Jesus emerged triumphant.
Easter announces that you can put truth in the grave, but it won’t stay there!
Easter announces that you can put hope in the grave, but it won’t stay there!
Easter announces that you can put love in the grave, but it won’t stay there!
Easter announces that you can put grace in the grave, but it will not stay there!
— McCluskey is pastor, North Cleveland Baptist Church, Cleveland.