April 14 -The Truth for a Lie

Matthew 28:8-20

Today we read about a plan by the chief priests to fabricate an explanation for Jesus’ empty tomb. This story is only found in Matthew and it was likely included to refute this false explanation for the empty tomb that still lingered in Matthew’s day.

The chief priests and the elders were trying to “exchange the truth for a lie” – an attempt that was pretty weak when you stop to ask a few questions:
· If the guards were asleep, how did they know the disciples stole the body?
· Why would the disciples steal the body? It is clear in the gospel accounts that despite Jesus’       teachings they were not expecting his resurrection.
· And… why did the disciples start preaching Jesus death and resurrection within weeks of the crucifixion and suffer persecution and ultimately death – for a lie?

But don’t we often “exchange the truth for a lie”? In Romans 1:25 Paul writes, “25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.” This verse was written regarding sexual immorality, which was certainly a problem in Paul’s day and continues to be in ours. But isn’t it more than that? It seems that the times we are living in are revealing some of the lies that we have exchanged truth for, even if sexual immorality is not one of them. I think each of us could identify a couple of areas where we have “served created things rather than the Creator” – money, jobs, government, possessions, health, ….

Now is a time when we need to be reminded of truth. It is interesting to note that Matthew places his story of the chief priests and guards between two instances that document the truth of Jesus’ resurrection. Matthew 28:9 talks about Jesus meeting the women who went to his tomb. Matthew 28:17 talks about the risen Jesus meeting with the disciples.

Christ has risen!! This is the truth that we all must embrace. He is alive today no differently than he was when he appeared to the women and his disciples and many others after his crucifixion. He loves us and he knows exactly what is happening in each of our lives, especially during these challenging times. Let’s use these times to examine ourselves and remove any lies that we might be serving instead of “the Creator – who is forever praised. Amen.”

Indeed!

Matthew 28:2 (NIV)
 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. 

The Miracle happened before the violent earthquake. Jesus came back to life, rose from the dead, before the earthquake. The quake merely opened the tomb so the followers could get in and look around not so Jesus could get out.  He had already risen and He stood outside the tomb!

Why is this important, what difference does it make? Perhaps not that much at first glance, but upon further consideration this is significant. The angel had nothing to do with Jesus' resurrection, the miracle took place before the angel's arrival.

The Heavenly Being was a messenger, an important part of the greatest and boldest announcement of all time.  "He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay." Matthew 28:6 (NIV)  

This angel was the first to share the Good News. We have an empty cross and an empty tomb! He is Risen!  He is Risen indeed!

Matthew 28:1-10

He Is Risen!

John 20:1-18

HE IS RISEN INDEED!

Unlike Matthew, Mark and Luke’s gospel readings on Jesus’ resurrection, focusing on the angelic appearance of the angels and Jesus, John approached the story of the empty tomb from the human response.

Mary Magdalene went to the tomb while it was still dark and found the stone removed from the entrance. She went immediately to the disciples to tell them.

John and Peter raced to the tomb. John arrived first, stopped, peered inside but did not go in. Peter flew right past John and entered the tomb.  Perhaps Peter was anxious about what Jesus would think of him after his betrayal and wanted to make things right. John responded quite differently. He paused outside of the tomb, possibly reflecting on all that had happened and just what it might mean. John 20:9 (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)

Mary Magdalene, though she was the first one there before sunrise and remained after the disciples had gone, did not grasp the meaning of the empty tomb. Though told by two angels and Jesus himself she did not comprehend. Finally when Jesus called her by name she believed, listened to Him, and left to deliver His message to the disciples.

We have many like Peter in our churches, anxious about being there because of past wrongs, or fearful of judgment from others and the Lord. There are others similar to John, keeping their emotions to themselves. Those not so anxious who have a good relationship with God and know they are beloved by Him. Then there are those like Mary, stuck in their faith, though they hear the Good News, are unable to internalize it because of bad things that have happened in their lives.

All of us have been lost no matter where we are now in our faith journey. Think back to when you began a serious walk with the Lord. Was there someone beside you, or in the background cheering you on and praying for you? Do you know someone who is hiding from God or has so much baggage from their past they are unable to feel his love?

Consider this Easter a new beginning for them. With your love and guidance they may finally be able to realize the promise that awaits them in Jesus’ death and resurrection!  Help another come alive in Christ. What an amazing gift!

Read/Listen to John 20:1-18