The Promise of Easter

2024-03-31

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Matthew 28:1-7 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came 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 from the door, and sat on it. ³ His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. ⁴ And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men. ⁵ But the angel answered and 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 is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. ⁷ And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”

1. The First Easter Morning

A. Chaos

vs 2a And behold, there was a great earthquake…

vs 2b …for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it.

B. Fear

vs 4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.

vs 5 But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid..

C. Uncertainty

2. The Expectations

Matthew 27:45-50 Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. ⁴⁶ And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” ⁴⁷ Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, “This Man is calling for Elijah!” ⁴⁸ Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink. ⁴⁹ The rest said, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to save Him.” ⁵⁰ And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.

A. Hopelessness

vs 45 Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land.

B. Loss

vs 46b “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

C. Death

vs 50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.

3. The Resignation

Matt. 28:5b for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified

Luke 24:1 Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared

4. The Promise

Matt. 28:6-7 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. ⁷ And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”