TEXT: Mark 16:1-8

SUBJECT: Meeting the Lord #17: Mary, Mary, and Salome

The story takes place in a graveyard near Jerusalem. Mark doesn't describe it for us, but others do. It is a lovely setting because the crypt belongs to Joseph, one of the richest men in Israel. Is Joseph dead? No, he isn't; he's given his tomb to a man who couldn't afford a decent burial; he's given it to Jesus Christ.

Our Lord was crucified three days before, at Passover. Because of the holiday, no one could attend to His remains. But as soon as the Sabbath is past, three women arrive to "anoint His body". "Mary Magdalene" is one; "Mary the mother of James" is another; "Salome" is the third.

The ladies are eager to pay tribute to Christ, but they've messed up. They forgot to bring a man to roll away the heavy stone that seals the tomb. You can imagine how upset they are at their blunder!

But before going back, they decide to take a quick peak at the sepulchre. And when they do, they're shocked to find "the stone had been rolled away". Someone had gotten there first!

They want to check his work. They peer into the tomb--our Lord is gone--but someone's there. They've not seen him before; he's "a young man in a long white robe". And he scares them! Scholars say this "white robe" was more than that--it shone with a brightness not of this world. The "young man", it seems, is an angel, an awesome and terrifying Messenger of God.

What's he got to say? Three things: (1) "Don't be scared"-- he means them no harm, but is bearing good news from God; (2) "The Lord is not here because He is risen from the dead"; (3) "Go tell His disciples--especially Peter--that He'll soon meet them in Galilee".

The ladies are knocked out! At first they say nothing--they're too stunned. But then they become witnesses for Christ, telling the Apostles "The Lord is risen; the Lord is risen indeed".

That's the story.

What does it mean?

Mark L. Lane wrote a fine commentary on the Gospel. He says,

Right! Don't waste your time looking for secret or "spiritual" meanings! The most obvious meaning is also the most spiritual. Jesus Christ rose from the dead.

On this point of theology, the people of God are in complete agreement. The four Gospels say so; Peter's sermon at Pentecost climaxed with the message; Paul preached it; Stephen died for it; the Church has always affirmed its faith in "Jesus Christ, our Lord, Who...

"Suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, dead, and buried;

The third day, He rose again from the dead".

That's the meaning! How precious it is! How glorious!

"Jesus Christ is risen today;

Hallelujah".

The resurrection can be applied in three ways:

It applies to our Lord. What does it say about Him? It says He is the Messiah, or Savior Whom all the prophets said would come into the world. This is a rich vein, which I can only scratch in one sermon. Who is Messiah?

The Old Testament describes Him in many ways. He is "the Prophet" who reveals the mind of God as no one else can. He is "the Priest" offering a sacrifice to God in place of His people. He is "the King" ruling us in wisdom. He is "A Man of War" defending us from our enemies. He is "A Shepherd" providing for our every need. He is "A Husband" loving us with a tender affection. He is "A Father" pitying those who fear Him. He is all these things. And more. "All the prophets and the Law prophesied" of Him.

His character, words, and works indicate this. But His resurrection proves it. Paul says He was "declared the Son of God in power, through the resurrection of the dead".

This is why His enemies set a seal on the tomb and stationed men to guard it. They were afraid the tomb would be vacated--and His every claim justified.

The empty tomb makes it plain: "Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God". We mustn't patronize Him. If He did not rise from the dead, He was not a good man, or a fine teacher, or a tragic martyr. Liar or Lord: these are the only two choices.

The resurrection is also applied to believers in Christ. What does it mean to us? It means we are alive! If you believe in Christ, you are no less alive than He is! The life you now have is "eternal life"--not just in duration, but in quality.

This is vividly seen in the early church. How depressed everyone was with their Lord in the grave; how weak they were; His church would come to nothing, it seemed.

But when they saw Him alive, they too, sprang to life! They were filled with joy and hope and power. And this was not a momentary impulse; it was a permanent state.

Brothers and Sisters! A dead church is a contradiction in terms. For our Savior is alive. "Because I live, you also shall live".

We have the life in us to resist temptation, to mortify sin, to witness for Christ, to love one another, and to persevere to the end. You know why? Because our "life" is but "His life" in us. George Whitefield confessed "I never knew what true religion was till..." he read Henry Scougal's book. It's title?

"The Life of God

in the Soul of Man".

That's what the resurrection means to believers in Christ. It means our souls are alive now; our bodies will be alive forever with the Lord.

The resurrection also means something to unbelievers. At Athens, Paul preached it, and explained its significance to people who don't believe in Christ: "He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness, by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all, by raising Him from the dead".

When God raised our Lord from the dead, He made Him the unbeliever's Judge. When you stand before Him, what are you going to say?

"I did my best?" That won't do, for you haven't. You know that; and so does He!

"I did religion?" That's no good either. He'll say, "Who has required this of you?" Did He ever say, "Do religion and you'll be accepted?" Does He receive people who "prophesy, cast out devils, and do many wonderful works?" No! He turns them away--"Depart from Me, you cursed!"

"I'm better than someone else?" Comparative goodness is no goodness at all! Do you stink less than a skunk? Good for you! But you still stink! He won't have it.

I tell you the truth--On that Day, no righteousness will satisfy Him, but His own. What? You have to be as righteous as Jesus Christ? Yes, that's right! He offers you His righteousness in the Gospel, which you can have through faith.

What is faith? It is an empty hand, good for one thing only--receiving what Someone else gives you. The Someone else is our Lord Jesus who gives a righteousness to everyone who believes in Him.

The Empty Tomb is either your salvation or your damnation. Which will it be for you? Will you peer into it with joy and hope? Or with grief and dread?

"Choose you this day".

God give you the grace to choose wisely. For Christ's sake. Amen.