Guest Post: Descriptions of Christ’s Resurrection

Note: This is a guest post since presently I am teaching overseas. This is by Jeff Chavez. His blog be found here.

Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”
(Matthew 28:1-10 ESV)

This portion of the resurrection like that of the other three gospels (John 20, Mark 16, Luke 24) tells us about the great proof that Christ has satisfied the Father’s justice and wrath and He has paid in full the debt of His people.

From the text, we can glean three descriptions of the resurrection of Christ.

1. It is glorious

In v.2, we see that  Christ’s resurrection had glorious accompanying scenes: a great earthquake and an angel descended. It doesn’t mean that He needed help but the Father was pleased to accompany the resurrection of His Son with these visible signs. The shaking of the earth and the magnificent appearance of the angel is simple a prelude to the incomparable glory of Christ’s resurrection. It led to a response of worship in v.9 where His disciples worshipped Him, a proof of His deity. The resurrection proves that Jesus is indeed the Son of God with power.

2. It is comforting

Twice from the passage above in v. 5 and v.10  we read “Do not be afraid.” The former is from the angel and the latter is from the resurrected Christ Himself. It means that believers have nothing to fear, and they can fully trust Him.

Jesus’ also called His disciples brothers in v.10. Our resurrected LORD’s words should encourage us to trust Him, to cling to Him, and be not afraid. Since Christ rose from the dead, He already fulfilled the demands of God’s justice and drank the cup of the Father’s wrath, sinners who put their faith in Christ are no longer objects of God’s coming wrath.

Truly, the fact of Christ’s resurrection is a balm of comfort to a troubled soul.

 
Our hope is there’s an empty tomb!

3. It’s terrifying

In v. 3-4, the terror shown by the guards is a picture of things to come. They became like dead men. If this is the picture of those who witnessed the accompanying event of the resurrection, what will the sinners do on the last day after being resurrected from the grave when they face the risen LORD?

There is a resurrection of the dead and it is certain because the LORD Jesus rose from the dead (John 5:28-29, 1 Corinthians 15). Be prepared by trusting in His finished work on the cross confirmed by His glorious resurrection!


To God be the glory!

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