The happiest day in human history.

Yesterday on Saturday we discussed the longest day in human history. That moment when all seemed lost. Jesus the Messiah had died. His cold body laid in a sealed tomb under Roman guard. The disciples were scattered. The women who were with Jesus saddened. The followers, friends, and family of Jesus crushed. All hope of redemption absolutely gone. The religious leaders convinced in what they had done. Pilate still confused at the whole matter and fearful of the Jews.

Little did they know.

Not Because Jesus Hadn’t Told Them

Jesus repeatedly told the disciples that He had to die and would rise again. Even though He told them, they kept missing the significance of it. They did not understand Jesus’ impending death, burial, or resurrection.

31 And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke this word openly. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. (Mark 8:31-33)

30 Then they departed from there and passed through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know it. 31 For He taught His disciples and said to them, “The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him. And after He is killed, He will rise the third day.” 32 But they did not understand this saying, and were afraid to ask Him. (Mark 9:30-32)

32 Now they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going before them; and they were amazed. And as they followed they were afraid. Then He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them the things that would happen to Him: 33 “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles; 34 and they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.” (Mark 10:32-34)

The disciples heard Him, but didn’t. They tried to get it, but didn’t. They walked with Him, but didn’t get the significance of His death, burial, and resurrection.

On the Saturday before the Resurrection, they were of all people most miserable.

The Women and Disciples Were Not Looking for Jesus’ Resurrection

Amazingly enough, Jesus’ followers were not looking for His resurrection.

Now His enemies remembered what He said. Catch this conversation from Matthew’s Gospel:

62 On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate, 63 saying, “Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise.’ 64 Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead.’ So the last deception will be worse than the first.”

65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard. (Matthew 27:62-65)

They were watching and afraid Jesus would in fact rise again. Now, they didn’t believe it could happen. Because they wanted to protect their power and authority, they could not have anything happen to that body. Jesus’ body needed to stay in the grave in order to squelch the followers. Therefore, they had Pilate post guards after they convinced him to seal the tomb.

Jesus’ enemies took Him more serious than His followers who were reeling from the results of the week.

The Women Come

All four Gospel accounts of the Resurrection point out the women who came to the tomb at sunrise on the first day of the week. On that Sunday, the women came to honor, demonstrate respect, and care for Jesus’ body. They watched where Joseph had buried Jesus. When they left the tomb at Passover, they did not return until Sunday. On their journey, they discussed how in the world they were going to get the tomb open because the stone was so heavy (Mark 16:3-4). To the person, they all expected to put spices on the dead body to cover the impending smell of decay (Mark 16:1-3). As they traveled, they seemingly were clueless that Pilate had set guards there early on the Sabbath morning after Jesus’ death.

Again, heartbroken. Discouraged. Their goal and plan – choosing to lovingly serve Jesus’ memory by covering His body with spices.

Resurrection was not on their agenda.

But, it was on God’s!

Resurrection – He Lives!

When they arrived, the text says they looked up and beheld something they didn’t expect. The stone was rolled away.

They immediately ran into the tomb. There was a messenger from God dressed in all white sitting there where Jesus’ body had laid.

He said the most powerful words in human history – which subsequently made that day the happiest day in human history! He said:

“Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him.

The words from God through His messenger that changed the course of human history forever… “He is risen! He is not here.”

Resurrection – He Forgives!

God gave the messenger another message to share with the ladies that day. He told them to go get the disciples and Peter!

Now that may not sound like much to you; however, all these guys had just either scattered – leaving Him to face the trial by night from the Jews and morning by Pilate alone – or denied Him. When they were given the opportunity to stand for Jesus, they forsook Him. Only John was at the cross that day.

Did Jesus hold a grudge? Was He angry with them? Did He hold it over their heads?

Absolutely not. He asked for them to come meet Him. Jesus made the first move. He forgave them.

Friend, the Resurrection means that you can be forgiven today as well. I invite you to ask God for forgiveness of your sins too. This Resurrection Day can be one of the happiest days of your life as well. If you have never asked Him for forgiveness of your sin for eternal salvation as you repent of your sins, then that’s where to start. God will forgive you through what Jesus did on the cross. Further, if you are a follower of Jesus, possibly your life is littered with unconfessed sins as well. If that is the case, just like Peter and all the disciples, God will forgive you through Christ as well.

Resurrection Hope!

There’s hope because of the Resurrection.

Tomorrow we will discuss hope on the blog, so we will leave it until them.

Just know for now, you have all the hope – not just in the world but in God’s universe – because of the Resurrection.

The happiest day in human history? You guessed it. Resurrection Sunday. It changed the course of the world.

As part of your Easter plans, I invite you to watch our Easter service. You can see it below. We would love to have you worship Jesus Christ with us this Resurrection Sunday. Or, pick another convenient time and watch along with us.

Image Credit Brett Sayles

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