What They Really Found in the Empty Tomb!

Wow!! What large crowds! What worship! What a response! I pray that everything His resurrection provides will be fully yours! Love y'all, Pastor Heard What They Really Found in the Empty Tomb! Easter Message March 31, 2013 A. On this day, we joyfully celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 1. Dying is something we will all do. But the resurrection of Jesus that we're celebrating today, now that's something else! Speaking of dying and resurrection... 2. Joke: "Do you believe in life after death?" the boss asked one of his employees. "Yes, sir," the new employee replied. "Well, then, that makes everything just fine," the boss went on. "After you left early yesterday to go to your grandmother's funeral, she came by the office to see you." 3. Today, we remember a death and resurrection that was much different than the grandmother's. Text: John 20:1-18 (NIV) - Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. [2] So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, They have taken the Lord out of the

tomb, and we don t know where they have put him! [3] So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. [4] Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. [5] He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. [6] Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, [7] as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. [8] Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. [9] (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) [10] Then the disciples went back to where they were staying. Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene [11] Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb [12] and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. [13] They asked her, Woman, why are you crying? They have taken my Lord away, she said, and I don t know where they have put him. [14] At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. [15] He asked her, Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for? Thinking he was the gardener, she said, Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him. [16] Jesus said to her, Mary. She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, Rabboni! (which means Teacher ). [17] Jesus said, Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God. [18] Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: I have seen the Lord! And she told them that he had said these things to her. B. Some of you may remember back in April 1986 when Geraldo Rivera captivated the imagination of a generation with his discovery of a hidden vault in an

underground basement of a building in Chicago. He claimed it held a fortune that once belonged to the infamous Al Capone. 1. The promo for Geraldo's special two hour session went like this: "It may be Chicago s equivalent to King Tut s tomb! It belongs to the king of a criminal empire! It s a mystery. What secrets lie within Al Capone s vault? Find out when we open it on live television." 2. What did Geraldo find when the vault was opened? Nothing! The vault was empty. 3. Long before Geraldo, Al Capone and television, an even greater mystery was unveiled much like this one. Early on a Sunday morning, two forlorn women carried an array of spices to a garden tomb. The darkness of that night could not compare with the sadness that shrouded their very souls. But, their gloom was destined to vanish with the first rays of the morning sun. 4. Imagine the awful memories that must have flooded their thoughts while trudging toward the tomb. These faithful followers had witnessed Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem on a young colt while thousands shouted, Hosanna! What an incredible moment that was. But, unfortunately, the celebration of that day was short-lived. 5. Over and over, those horrible crucifixion scenes were replayed in their thoughts. They remembered soldiers tying Jesus' hands to a post and Roman whips filled with pieces of broken pottery, glass and bones ripping the skin from His back. As they rehearsed the beatings, the cruel mocking and the crown of thorns, tears began to flow again. 6. At the cross, two women named Mary (Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James) were firsthand witnesses of the incredible pain and suffering Jesus their Teacher, their Friend, their Lord had endured. 7. In their minds, they could still see Him suspended on that rough, wooden cross and the agony and struggle of every breath He took.

8. They were there when He cried, "ELOI, ELOI, LAMA SABACHTHANI MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?"...and then His final words, IT IS FINISHED, before His head dropped to His chest. 9. When He died, something died within them also. On that dark Friday nearly 2,000 years ago, all their hope and joy vanished. Their Jesus was dead...and so was their faith for the future. D. Why had these devoted women awakened so early that Sunday morning? Why didn't they choose to lie in bed and wallow in their misery, like all the others? What prompted them to make that brisk, uphill climb to Jerusalem? 1. The one thing that compelled them to make the trip was their love and devotion for Jesus. Someone had to prepare His body for burial and no one else had volunteered not Peter, or James, or John. So these two faithful followers, who had remained near Jesus until the very end were determined to do it. 2. The service they would perform was a somber, difficult task. They would be the ones to wash the dried blood from Jesus' brow and face. They would be the ones to remove the gore from His body and the blood matted in His beard. They would be the last to touch His face and close His eyes. 3. No doubt, preparing Christ for burial was their intention. But when they arrived, they could hardly believe their eyes! So what did they find? 4. Geraldo was disappointed but the women and disciples weren t! Though Jesus was no longer there, inside that empty tomb they discovered unimaginable treasures they had never expected to find. 5. The truth is that all who look into the tomb can find those same treasures. Isaiah 53:5 (NIV) says, He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

6. Today, on Easter morning, let's talk about what the women found and how their great discovery affects each of our personal journeys. 7. In all the hype, the fun, and the numerous aspects of Easter, the one thing you and I should remember about the tomb is that it wasn't really empty. Though the disciples did not find what they were looking for, they did find something. And what they found was far greater than anything they could have imagined. Let's talk about those awesome treasures. E. They found fulfillment instead of empty promises. 1. Jesus had given many promises to His disciples. But the vivid memory of the past Friday morning had dashed all their plans and dreams. Now that He was dead, everything else seemed empty and meaningless. 2. How many times have we also been disappointed? After being promised so much,...reality brings us to our senses. Many of our promises are just empty words: promises about a future career, promises by employers and, friends and sometimes, even by loved ones. 3. Far too many people merely exist with an empty feeling in their heart. That's what the disciples experienced on Friday and all day Saturday. But on Easter Sunday, everything changed. They suddenly realized that all God's promises had actually been fulfilled! 4. Luke 24:44-49 (NIV) - He said to them, This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms. [45] Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. [46] He told them, This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day,.. 5. In the empty tomb, the disciples discovered fulfillment. That's what Easter is all about. It's about fulfillment rather than empty promises!

F. They found forgiveness instead of judgment. 1. When Jesus was arrested on Thursday night and then judged and crucified on Friday morning, all the disciples could relate with was judgment. 2. A few of the disciples were present when Jesus was tried before Caiaphas and then sent to Pilate. From Pilate, He was sent to Herod and then back to Pilate again. Jesus was examined and tried, only to be convicted and sentenced to die. 3. In those days, a death sentence was immediately enforced. No such thing as death row. So, they watched every part of His execution and cruel death in a fairly short span of time. 4. The spotless Lamb of God did not deserve such unfair judgment but we do. We have all sinned! 5. The good news at the empty tomb was forgiveness--instead of judgment. Jesus died in our place so that we could be forgiven! 6. Ephesians 1:7-8 (NIV) - In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God s grace. 7. He paid the price so that you and I would not be judged for our sins. G. They also found love instead of hatred. 1. Concerning Christ, Isaiah 53:3 (NIV) says that He was despised and rejected of mankind. 2. Have you ever experienced rejection?.or loneliness? At the empty tomb, they found how much God loves us! 3. John 3:16 (NKJV) - For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 4. That's what you will find on Easter. Love...instead of hatred.

H. They found hope instead of despair. 1. On Friday, there was only despair. Their Savior was gone! But on Sunday, at the empty tomb, their hope was fully restored! 2. Have you ever known the depths of despair? Despair about finances... a broken relationship...health issues? Despair is a feeling that everything is wrong and nothing will turn out well. If you haven't experienced it, you will! 3. I'm reminded of the song by Mary J. Blige, I Can Do Bad All By Myself a. I don't need no one to put me down, I'm on the ground, can't get no lower. And I don't need no one to hang around an make me frown just makes me look older. And I don't need no one to black my eye and tell me lies Don't wanna cry over nobody else No, no, no-no, I can do bad all by myself. 4. Easter is all about hope instead of despair. 5. 2 Corinthians 4:7-8 (NIV) - We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair. 6. Hebrews 6:18-19 (NKJV) - That we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. [19] This hope we have as an anchor of the soul. 7. Don't give up until you've tried God! I. They found joy instead of sadness. 1. Can you imagine the sadness on Friday? The mourning and weeping? But when they were told on Easter morning that Jesus was alive, their sorrow and sadness exploded into pure joy! That's what happens when you find Jesus!

2. In all my years of ministering in 99 different nations and touching the lives of millions and millions of believers, I've never heard one of them say that they were happier before they came to God. 3. 1 Peter 1:8-9 (NIV) - Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy. 4. If you ever get really tired of your misery and sadness and you're ready for some everlasting joy, come to Jesus! He knows exactly what you've been longing for! J. They found new life instead of death. 1. Speaking of finding life instead of death, did you hear...? 2. Joke: The Firing Squad Three men were sentenced to death by a firing squad. As the first prisoner was taken from his cell and the soldiers began to take aim, he had an ingenious idea. Shouting wildly, the prisoner exclaimed, Avalanche! The soldiers began to panic and in the confusion, the first man escaped. The second was then led from his cell. As the soldiers took aim, he thought for a moment and then shouted, "Flood!" In the confusion, he also escaped. As the third man was led from his cell and the squad took aim, he remembered how the other two had escaped by causing the soldiers to think of something very dangerous. So he thought for a moment and then yelled, Fire!.and they did. 3. On the way to the tomb, the two Mary's and Jesus' other disciples were braced to view a dead body. Instead, they learned that Jesus was no longer dead, but alive! Because of the resurrection, that can happen to you also. Why not see for yourself?

4. John 11:26 (NIV) - And whoever lives by believing in me will never die! 5. Receiving eternal life is so much better than being cured of terminal cancer or deadly AIDS! K. They found a future instead of a past. 1. So many today are convinced that the best they can ever expect is more of what they have already experienced. Their best days must surely be in the past. But the resurrection can change everything! 2. Let Friday remain in your past. Today is Sunday the day that represents resurrection, a new beginning, a new life, and a great future! If it seems that you've just been grinding through all the gears of life, why not shift into overdrive! 3. So, what must we do? Celebrate the resurrection! If you haven't given your heart to Jesus, do so right now, without any further delay!