The Resurrection:

Context:

• Jesus yielded up His spirit.
• The Curtain of the temple was torn in two.
• The earth shook, the rocks were split.
• The tombs were opened and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and after His resurrection went into the city and appeared to many.
• The soldiers pierced His side with a spear
• He was buried and the tomb was secured and guarded by soldiers.
• After the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.
• An angel of the Lord descended from heaven and rolled back the stone.
• The guards trembled and became like dead men.

Matthew 28:9-10 “...And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me...”

John 20:15-17 “...Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’...”

John 20:19-23 “...On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld...”

What had just taken place?

• Jesus had been crucified and buried.
• Jesus conquered death and the grave.
• Jesus was resurrected in bodily form.
• Jesus appeared to the women and the disciples.

What did Jesus say?

• Do not be afraid.
• Do not cling to me.
• Peace be with you.
• Receive the Holy Spirit.

Why did Jesus say these things?

• It was a time of fear.
• There was a tendency to cling to Him
• Peace was needed.
• The Holy Spirit was needed.

What would be going through your mind if you would have been there?

• Fear?
• Attempts to hang on to what you previously knew?
• Confusion?
• A need for comfort and direction.