Mat 28:1-17 Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. (2) And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. (3) His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. (4) And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. (5) But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. (6) He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. (7) Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” (8) So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. (9) And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. (10) Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” (11) While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. (12) And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers (13) and said, “Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ (14) And if this comes to the governor's ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” (15) So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spread among the Jews to this day. (16) Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. (17) And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.

How willing are you to respond to the incredible?

Today we celebrate the resurrection

But the big question is - is it true, and what will I do in response?

4 groups, 5 responses

So what about you?

The first were the women

The guards

And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. Matt.28:2-4

Despite their experience they spread a lie

Because it was safer and more comfortable

When do we choose to live a lie because the alternative is too challenging?

The women… 

But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” 28:5-7

Imagine it happened to you?

Their response?

So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 28:8

Fear and Worship

In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple… And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!” Isa 6:1,5 

“One whose face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance”,  

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, Rev 1:17 

How do you respond to the risen Lord?

The elders and chief priests!

…some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers and said, “Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ And if this comes to the governor's ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” 28:11-14

Refused to change

Acted to maintain the status quo!     

When do we do the same?

Are we ready for the Risen Jesus to change us?

The disciples

We don't know what they were told - but it was enough for them to act

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 28:16,17

Five Responses

Fear

Denial

Deceit

Doubt.  

Joy and worship. 

Jesus is risen. He is here.

How will you respond to this incredible truth?