Matthew 28:1-6 -- “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”
“As he said” -- it was just as He said it would happen!
Three things are suggested in vs. 6: -- an empty tomb, -- a risen Lord, -- & a fulfilled prophecy!
“He is not here” -- that’s the empty tomb!
“for he is risen” -- that’s a risen Lord!
“as he said” -- that’s a fulfilled prophecy!
Christ’s tomb was empty!
His enemies did not want that to happen!
They tried to make sure it would not happen!
They had sealed the tomb with the Roman seal of authority -- which would mean death to anyone who broke that seal!
They had likewise placed armed guards before the tomb to keep watch.
But Roman seals & armed soldiers are no match for the power of God -- & so on the third day the tomb was opened & emptied of His body!
The tomb was empty -- contrary to all other tombs of history!
The pyramids of Egypt are famous because in them were found the mummified bodies of ancient Egyptian monarch.
Westminster Abbey in London is famous because in it are the bodies of Browning -- Tennyson -- & other English notables.
Arlington Cemetery in Washington is famous for it is the honored resting place of famous Americans.
Mount Vernon is famous because there is the body of our first president -- George Washington.
That is the difference between the tomb of Christ -- & other famous tombs!
Other tombs are famous & draw visitors from far & near -- because of what they contain.
The tomb of Christ is famous because of what it does not contain!
Other tombs are famous because they are full; -- the tomb of Christ is famous because it is empty!
If it were not empty -- you & I would have no hope!
But because it is empty -- we know that Jesus is in fact the Resurrection & the Life!
He is the Risen Lord! -- He arose from the grave -- & is alive forever-more!
The resurrection of JC is as well established as any fact of history!
The resurrection of JC is the foundation for all Christian belief!
The resurrection of JC distinguishes Christianity from all other religions of the world!
Every religion has a founder who lived -- died, & was buried; -- but Christianity has a Founder who lived -- died, was buried -- & after three days arose victoriously from the grave! -- He is risen!
His resurrection has been every where recognized as the cardinal doctrine of Christianity!
He is risen -- And it is just as He said it would be!
May we focus for a while this morning on those words: “as he said.”?
Look at those words spoken on Easter Sunday morning! -- “as he said.” -- Just as Jesus had said! --
We find those words again & again in the Gospels!
Things had a habit of happening just “as he said”: --
A father came to Jesus one day -- asking Him to heal an afflicted child.
Jesus told the father to go his way -- the child would be made whole.
It happened -- “as he said.”
Jesus instructed Peter to go catch a fish -- & in the month of the fish -- he would find a piece of money with which to pay taxes.
It happened -- “as he said.”
Jesus told His disciples they would find a colt tied in a certain place.
It happened -- “as he said.”
Jesus told them they would meet a man carrying a pitcher in whose home they would eat the Passover meal.
It happened -- “as he said.”
Jesus told them that they were going to Jerusalem -- & that He would be betrayed into the hands of sinners -- & be crucified & buried -- but that on the third day He would rise from the dead.
It happened -- “as he said.”
His enemies remembered that prediction & took precautions to prevent it
His disciples forgot the prediction -- & were astonished when it happened -- “as he said”!!
But it took place just the same -- & happened just -- “as he said.”
Christ’s resurrection is the pledge of our own resurrection!
For if Christ could keep the prediction of His own resurrection -- then we may rest assured that He is able -- & will keep His promise that we shall rise.
If Jesus Christ could throw off the robes of death -- & rise -- then surely He can raise our dead bodies!
Listen to His promise found in John 6:39-40.
“This is the will of God -- that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them to eternal life at the last day. -- For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son & believe in him should have eternal life --- that I should raise them at the last day.”
My friends -- it will happen just “as he has said!”
That is His promise! -- He will make it good.
Because He lives -- we shall live also!
This is the Christian’s hope of the resurrection!
But do not be fooled. -- Do not be misled.
This hope is not universal!
It is not held out to everybody -- every where -- all the time.
It is limited to those who believe! -- It is for those who are “in Christ.”
Jesus said it was for every one which sees the Son & believes on Him!
So if you want this hope -- & wish to claim this promise -- then you must accept JC -- & believe on Him!
Have you put your faith & trust in the Risen Lord?
If you have not -- I cannot think of a better time to do so -- than on Easter Sunday Morning -- as we celebrate His Resurrection!
Won’t you do so today? -- Right now?