I. God Desires To Reveal Jesus

A. They Had A Wrong Idea About Jesus V. 1

1. They thought He was still dead. They had seen Him die. Understandable.
2. They had come to anoint His dead body (see other scriptures)

a. Mark 16:1 1Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him.

3. They thought that they had to find a way to roll away the stone.
4. Many people still have a wrong idea about Jesus. (See James Cameron Article)

B. Revealing Jesus Vs. 2-6

1. The stone was rolled away, not to let Jesus out, but to let them in.
2. Guzik- John 20:19 tells us that Jesus, in His resurrection body, could pass through material barriers. It was rolled away so that others could see in and be persuaded that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead.
3. The Father arranged for this revelation to these women (revelation)

a. Ephesians 1:17 …that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,
b. Revelation- laying bare, making naked, disclosure of truth, manifestation

4. What we know of God has been revealed to us by God. That is His desire.
5. NOTE- The angel descended from heaven.

a. The revelation of Jesus is something that comes down to us from God
b. God is the Initiator. It is His desire to reveal Jesus to us.
c. John 5:36, 37a But I have a greater witness than John’s; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish—the very works that I do—bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me. 37And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me.

6. This revelation of Jesus was startling, unnerving, frightening. (see vs. 4 & 5)
7. God’s desire is that we NOT be afraid when the reality of Jesus hits us. (v. 5)
8. God’s desire is to give us “proofs” that will help us in our faith. (v. 6)

a. The historical facts & philosophical debate of the resurrection. (1 Cor. 15)
b. The inner witness of the Holy Spirit in the Christian. See Romans 8:14-16
c. The testimony of changed lives
d. Our own personal experience. “Come and see”. God’s invitation.

II. God Desires That We Tell Others About Jesus Vs. 7-10

A. God Directs His Children Who To Talk To V. 7a, 10

1 Corinthians 16:9 9For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
Turn to Acts 8:26-31

B. Telling Others Of Jesus Is Fearful & Joyful V. 8

1. Fear, because we sometimes don’t fully understand our experiences w/God
2. Fear because of obvious opposition. (The Roman guards, the Jewish leaders)
3. This was all unbelievable for these women. Overwhelming
4. Great joy in the midst of fear and confusion. Hope was rekindled in them.

C. As We Obey, We Have Further Assurance Vs. 7b, 9

1. Obedience brings further revelation
2. They did not allow their lack of understanding to keep them from obeying
3. The result was a fuller and deeper revelation of Jesus and His direction for them

III. Opposition vs. 11-15

A. The Opposition In Their Day

1. While they were obeying, the Enemy was working to discredit the VERY thing that Jesus told them to say.
2. They sought to stamp out the truth about the risen Jesus as quickly as possible.
3. The opposition was very direct, and exactly the opposite of the truth re. Jesus.

B. The Opposition In Our Day

1. Ephesians 6:12 12For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
2. Oprah Winfrey to teach/sponsor course on the New Age Jesus, via XM radio.

IV. Moving Forward Vs. 16-20

A. Meeting With Jesus

1. The disciples went to the mountain that Jesus had told them to meet Him on.
2. The result, a further revelation of Jesus. Obedience brings revelation.
3. Some had more faith, others doubted, but they all had enough faith to be there.
4. What was the result? All were commissioned to go out and preach the gospel.
5. The “strong” ones, and the “doubting” ones.
6. Read about the ones with “little strength”. Revelation 3:7-12

B. Being Commissioned By Jesus

1. All authority in heaven and earth belongs to Jesus
2. Go and tell people about Jesus. Sin, judgment, salvation, Heaven, Hell.
3. Go and teach people about Jesus and His words
4. Tell people that Jesus lives, & can make their lives whole.
5. Go tell them the importance of the resurrection.
Guzik- The fact of the resurrection is clear enough. We must also grapple with the meaning of the resurrection. Simply, Jesus’ resurrection proved that His death was an actual propitiation for sin and that the Father had accepted it as such. The cross was the payment, the resurrection the receipt, proving that the payment was fully accepted.
6. Things will work out. He is with you. Move forward with Jesus.