Matthew 28:1; Psalm 144:1-4

Matthew 28:1-6
Now we come to the crown jewel of the Christian message--the resurrection! The first thing we might notice is that these faithful women, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary thought Jesus was dead! Mark's account (Mark 16:1-3) tells us that they came to anoint Jesus' body with spices and they even wondered who would roll the stone away so they could enter the tomb. Jesus had told them many times that he would rise from the dead, and they believed Him, and yet they didn't REALLY believe. Isn't this a very human response? We want to believe, but sometimes we just don't.

But getting back to the resurrection. Actually all Bible doctrine hinges on this truth. I turn to Warren Wiersbe's New Testament Commentary (Vol. 1, p. 105), for the significance of the Resurrection. Nearly everybody we might meet has some vague idea that Jesus died on the cross, but many do not know or do not believe that He rose from the dead.

Significance of the resurrection:

• "It proves that Jesus is God's Son. Jesus stated that He had authority to lay down His life and to take it up again (John 10:17-18).
• It verifies the truth of Scripture. Both in the Old Testament and in the teaching of Jesus, His resurrection is clearly taught (see Psalm 16:10 and 110:1).
• It assures our own future resurrection. Because Jesus died and rose again, we shall one day be raised to be like Him (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). In fact, the entire structure of the Christian faith rests on the foundation of the Resurrection.
• It is the proof of a future judgment. "For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead." Acts 17:31.
• It is the basis for Christ's heavenly priesthood. Because He lives by the power of an endless life, He is able to save us "to the uttermost" (Hebrews 7:23-38). He lives to intercede for us.
• It gives power for Christian living. We cannot live for God by our own strength. It is only as His resurrection power works in and through us that we can do His will and glorify His name (see Romans 6:4).
• It assures our future inheritance. Because we have a living hope, we can experience hopeful living. A dead hope grows weaker and weaker before it eventually dies. But because Jesus Christ is alive we have a glorious future (see 1 Peter 1:3-5).

Whenever God's people gather on the Lord's Day they bear witness that Jesus is alive..."

Psalm 144:1-4
This is a psalm of David. Notice what he says about God as he praises Him.

• He is my rock. This makes us remember that God is strong and unmoveable. v. 1
• He prepares us for what we have to do. For David it was for war. v. 2
• He is our loving ally. v. 2
• He is our fortress. v. 2
• He is our tower of safety. v. 2
• He is our rescuer. v. 2
• He is our shield. v. 2
• He is our place of refuge. v. 2

Wow! That should give us confidence!

In contrast, look at what David said about himself, and this view is true of us as well:

• Who are we that God would even notice us? v. 3
• We are mere mortals seemingly not worthy of His care. v. 3
• We are like a breath of air. v. 4
• Our days are like a passing shadow. v. 4

Human words cannot describe and human minds cannot understand the vast grandeur of our eternal God. We, like David, should be full of thanksgiving and praise that He does indeed notice us! In fact, He, at great cost to Himself, made provision for our redemption by sending His Son to be the payment for our sin. This was a sacrifice we don't deserve. "Joyful indeed are those whose God is the Lord." v. 15