What Really Happened on Easter Morning?
The women went to the tomb asking the question, who will roll the stone away, for the stone was large and heavy. When they go to the tomb, the stone had already moved. They saw an angel sitting on top of the stone and they were afraid. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid.”
Jesus said, on a number of occasions throughout His ministry; "Do not be afraid."
That’s what we all should have – fearless faith in Jesus. Hebrews 4:16 tells us to approach the throne with confidence. “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace…” The King and High Priest extends grace and we can come before Him believing, because we are accepted in Christ.
The angel then said to the women, “Go quickly and spread the message.” He continued on, saying, “Do not be afraid. He is risen and has gone ahead of you.” Can you imagine the excitement of these women?
Jesus, when He appeared, told the disciples to go and make disciples of all men... In other words; spread the Good News of hope, peace, joy, healing, love and the removal of fear, in His name.
Fearless faith. Easter was the start of the mission and we now carry the baton. The mission won’t end until Jesus returns.
Sunday Morning:
On the morning of the resurrection there was an earthquake. Something happened which caused the Roman soldiers to fall down. There was a power explosion from the tomb and it frightened the soldiers, so much so that they trembled in fear.
Jesus was raised from the dead! The foundation of our faith had been laid.
Mary and the other Mary came to anoint Jesus in readiness for His burial, along with some other women. They were there when Jesus was placed into the tomb that fateful Friday. They expected Him to still be in the tomb that following Sunday morning; dead. They came back on Sunday to anoint Him, to ready Him for burial and at the time they didn’t know the stone was rolled because they asked of each other, who will roll it away?
When they got to the tomb they were stunned because it was a large stone. The wonder and the miracle of that event was the earthquake which came and the stone which was moved. In that moment of His resurrection, it could be said, the whole earth rejoiced in the form of an earthquake.
This was no normal stone. It was exceedingly large and heavy and yet when the women arrived it had been removed and an angel sat upon the stone.
Did the angel roll the stone away? Yes, according to Matthew 28:2. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, rolled the stone away from the entrance and sat on it.
Whether it was the earthquake or the angel, whatever happened, the guards did shake and ‘became as dead men.’ They were filled with fear and trepidation over what they saw. They shook and trembled just like the earthquake itself. So panicked were the guards that they fled the scene.
With the stone removed the women were free to enter the tomb. What they found astounded them. No Jesus! He wasn’t there. Who was there? They saw a young man clothed in white. Who was this young man?
The definition of a young man, in the Greek at that time, was someone in the prime of their life, with vitality, strength and a youthful appearance. This young man was an angel in a long flowing robe, denoting someone of high distinction. The women were perplexed. No Jesus, but an angel. What could this mean?
They expected to see the stone in front of the tomb but the stone had moved. They expected to see Jesus but Jesus was missing. What they didn’t expect was to see an angel who looked like a warrior or a king, in his grand and flowing robe.
Instantly, two men stood beside the women, with shining garments; flashing like lightening. Two more angels had suddenly arrived, appearing as if from nowhere.
The women, although afraid, held their ground (unlike the Roman soldiers, great and mighty warriors, who fled in terror). The angels asked the women, “…Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! ...” (Luke 24:5-6)
The angels gave instruction to the women – go your way and tell the disciples and Peter. And the women ran off to tell the disciples what they’d seen and heard.
Peter and John ran back the tomb to see what had happened for themselves. They ran before the women even finished their story. Mary Magdalen followed the men back to the tomb. None of the other apostles were moved enough to go and look.
Peter and John went and they experienced something the others didn’t (if you want to experience Jesus and all of his power, you’ve got to get up and move in his direction). Peter and John saw the clothing lying in the chamber; expensive garments lying inside the tomb. And Mary Magdalen – she has the honour of being the first person to lay eyes on the Risen Lord.
If Jesus’ body had been stolen as the authorities want you to believe, then the garment would have been stolen too as it was very, very, expensive and no thief would have left it behind.
Peter went straight into the tomb and noticed the clothing lying there, and the napkin from Jesus head, folded off to the side and by itself. Folded clothing demonstrates careful movement. Not rushed. Jesus’ body had been wrapped in cloth and a napkin laid over His face. Both were now placed in an orderly fashion. Jesus was calm, cool, collected.
This is not a scene of chaos but a gentle laying of fabric. One piece of fabric placed on each side of where Jesus sat. Jesus was in complete control. God is a God of order and Jesus is ordered in how He folded the napkin.
At that time in history, if you scrunched up your napkin while at the dinner table, it was an indication that you had finished your meal and servants would clear your place. A folded napkin meant, you may have left the table, but you will return. Jesus’ folded napkin was marker to inform you; I’m coming back.
John left the tomb believing in the story Jesus told, that He would be killed but would rise again. Peter left wondering what it all meant. John believed in the miraculous, while Peter wondered what happened.
So many events on that Sunday morning. Multiple angels, an earthquake, two Mary’s and the other women, Peter, John, the Roman guards. They all saw something, an unexplainable event for some. A light switch flicked on to reveal the truth for others.
They all saw the body was gone because the power of God had detonated in that cave and Jesus was raised from the dead. Crucified, buried and brought to life.
Jesus really was raised from the dead. Do you believe it, or are you going to forever wonder what happened?
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