Easter Sunrise 2025
Matthew 28:1-10
28 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
Review:
Last Supper / Betrayal / Denial / Everyone Running Away / Fear / The High Council / Pilate / Crucifixion / Resurrection
Appeared to the women first. (This would be like the angels appearing to the shepherds at night in Bethlehem.
Told his (brothers) to go to Galilee. Their words seemed like nonsense to the disciples.
Peter and John ran to the tomb.
We read in the Book of Acts some of the persecutions the followers of Jesus went through. We are given more detail on the Apostle Paul’s persecutions than any other. When he was before the Sanhedrin on one occassion, and before Governor Felix on another, stated, “I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead.”
If you were arrested because of your faith, would there be enough evidence to convict you?
Paul was in Athens. Walked around and saw all the idols. When he tried to reason with them, a group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him and asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?”
Could you be accused this morning of being a babbler for Jesus? Would there be enough evidence to convict you?
1 Corinthians 15:12-20 [Paul is writing to Christians]
12 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.
20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.