So, Jesus Is Dead, Now What?
A Look At The Turmoil That Filled The Disciples’ Lives When Jesus Died
INTRO: Can you imagine the turmoil in the lives of the disciples right after the crucifixion of Christ? Were they confused? You bet. Were they afraid? No doubt. Were they uncertain? Every bit of the way. But they did not get derailed because Jesus was in the mix.
I want to spend some time in Matthew looking at the close of the book and the beginnings of a new era.
First let’s see the disciples’ reaction to the arrest of Jesus…
Matthew 26:31-35 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. {32} But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. {33} Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. {34} Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. {35} Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.
Failures (by us) are not total losses
Even when we know it is serious, there are times we aren’t ready for the intensity required
Matthew 26:36-45 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. {37} And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. {38} Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. {39} And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. {40} And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? {41} Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. {42} He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. {43} And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. {44} And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. {45} Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
Matthew 26:47-54 And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. {48} Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. {49} And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. {50} And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. {51} And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear. {52} Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. {53} Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? {54} But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?
Christ’s answer for the disciples was His ways
Matthew 26:55-56 In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me. {56} But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.
It is easier to trust the Lord when we stand shoulder to shoulder
Matthew 26:69-75 Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. {70} But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. {71} And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. {72} And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. {73} And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. {74} Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. {75} And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.
Even in the midst of all the turmoil for the disciples, the religious leaders were facing their own set of problems – which by the way, they brought on themselves.
From this we can see…
The world will do all they can to disbelieve and prove they are right
Matthew 27:62-66 Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, {63} Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. {64} Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. {65} Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. {66} So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.
They just don’t want to believe – 63a
They wanted to make sure – 64
Their plans and thoughts were…
Surely He was a fake – 64c
Help make sure we are right – 64d
Now we can rest easy – 65-66
When I look at this I cannot help but say…
Oh no, what happened?
Matthew 28:1-6 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. {2} And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. {3} His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: {4} And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. {5} And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. {6} He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
The leaders could relax, or so they thought. Even today, it is easy to take the thought that…
Life goes on as normal – or does it? – 1-2
The stone was moved away
An angel was there to witness
Dead men do shake – 4 (feared the angel and their demise for failing to prevent His resurrection)
Jesus did what they (religious leaders) feared most (yet they could not (would not) even then believe)
Others must know He lives
Matthew 28:7-8 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. {8} And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
The need to tell others the good news was there
The help that He would bring was there – 7b
The encouragement He would lend was real – 7c
The obedience of these BELIEVERS shines bright – 8
Others must know He is still the Messiah
Matthew 28:9-10 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. {10} Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
His death was not a failure
His death was not the end
His presence is proof to not doubt
It is time to regroup
Matthew 28:16-20 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. {17} And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. {18} And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. {19} Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: {20} Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
They remembered His teaching – 16
They revered Him in worship – 17
They wondered about all that had happened – 17b
They received a commission that was empowered completely – 18 - 20
Here we are today
Gary Marcum – New Beginnings Church – 032308pm