Matthew 27:50-28:20Matthew 27:50-28:20 5050And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.voice, he gave up his spirit. 5151At that moment the curtain of the temple was At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus’ resurrection they went into the holy city and Jesus’ resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people. appeared to many people. 5454When the centurion and those with him who When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”“Surely he was the Son of God!” 5555Many women were there, watching from a Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. care for his needs. 5656Among them were Mary Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.

Matthew 27:50-28:20Matthew 27:50-28:20

5757As evening approached, there came a rich man As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. become a disciple of Jesus. 5858Going to Pilate, he Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. given to him. 5959Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, clean linen cloth, 6060and placed it in his own new tomb and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. 6161Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb. there opposite the tomb. 6262The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. 6363“Sir,” “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ 6464So give the order for the tomb to be made secure So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.” worse than the first.” 6565“Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” tomb as secure as you know how.” 6666So they went So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.stone and posting the guard.

The Jews insisted, “We have a law, and according The Jews insisted, “We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God.”the Son of God.”

On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said,believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within streams of living water will flow from within him.”him.”

So, because Jesus was doing these things on So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jews persecuted him. Jesus the Sabbath, the Jews persecuted him. Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working.” For this this very day, and I, too, am working.” For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.himself equal with God.

Then they asked him, “Where is your father?” Then they asked him, “Where is your father?” “ “You do not know me or my Father,” Jesus You do not know me or my Father,” Jesus replied. “If you knew me, you would know my replied. “If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” He spoke these words while Father also.” He spoke these words while teaching in the temple area near the place where teaching in the temple area near the place where the offerings were put. Yet no one seized him, the offerings were put. Yet no one seized him, because his time had not yet come.because his time had not yet come.

Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. Though your God, is the one who glorifies me. Though you do not know him, I know him.you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and keep his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced and keep his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.” was glad.” “ “You are not yet fifty years old,” the Jews said You are not yet fifty years old,” the Jews said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!” to him, “and you have seen Abraham!” “ “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” At this, they picked up Abraham was born, I am!” At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself,stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, r r slipping away from the temple grounds. slipping away from the temple grounds.

Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple area was winter, and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. The Jews gathered walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. The Jews gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, but you do not believe because you speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life,life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all;them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”one.” Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, but Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many great Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?” stone me?” “ “We are not stoning you for any of these,” replied We are not stoning you for any of these,” replied the Jews, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere the Jews, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”man, claim to be God.”

Who was/is Jesus?

John 5:16-18 John 7:37-38 John 8:19-20 John 8:54-59 John 10:22-33 John 19:7(Matthew 26:62-

65)

A misunderstood teacher?

Who was/is Jesus? Who was/is Jesus? A misunderstood teacher? A misunderstood teacher?

A lot of nice teaching like in the sermon on A lot of nice teaching like in the sermon on

the mount.the mount.

He seemed to care more about people than He seemed to care more about people than

the law.the law.

He sure could rattle the establishment. Real He sure could rattle the establishment. Real

righteousness righteousness does not come through rote observance.does not come through rote observance.

Who was/is Jesus? Who was/is Jesus? A misunderstood teacher? A misunderstood teacher?

I am the bread of life, 6:35I am the bread of life, 6:35I am the light of the world, 8:12I am the light of the world, 8:12

I am the gate for the sheep, 10:7I am the gate for the sheep, 10:7I am the good shepherd, 10:14I am the good shepherd, 10:14

I am the resurrection and the life, 11:25I am the resurrection and the life, 11:25I am the way, the truth and the life, 14:6I am the way, the truth and the life, 14:6

I am the true vine, 15:1I am the true vine, 15:1

What if it was all true?What if it was all true?

Who was/is Jesus? Who was/is Jesus? An insurrectionist? An insurrectionist?

John 19:12-16John 19:12-16 From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jews kept shouting, “If you let this man go, you are Jews kept shouting, “If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar.” opposes Caesar.” When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge’s seat at a place known as the sat down on the judge’s seat at a place known as the Stone Pavement (which in Aramaic is Gabbatha). It Stone Pavement (which in Aramaic is Gabbatha). It was the day of Preparation of Passover Week, about was the day of Preparation of Passover Week, about the sixth hour. the sixth hour. “ “Here is your king,” Pilate said to the Jews. Here is your king,” Pilate said to the Jews. But they shouted, “Take him away! Take him But they shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!” away! Crucify him!” “ “Shall I crucify your king?” Pilate asked. Shall I crucify your king?” Pilate asked. “ “We have no king but Caesar,” the chief priests We have no king but Caesar,” the chief priests answered. answered. Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified.crucified.

Who was/is Jesus? Who was/is Jesus? A phantom? A phantom?

Matthew 8:3,14; 9:20,25,29; 14:36; 17:6; 20:24;

Broke bread and fish, ate, drank, etc

Matthew 8:3,14; 9:20,25,29; 14:36; 17:6; 20:24;

Broke bread and fish, ate, drank, etc

Docetism ~ Docetism ~ Because the physical Because the physical realm is a realm is a bad thing, the Christ could not bad thing, the Christ could not be a part be a part of it. He only seemed to have a of it. He only seemed to have a body.body.

Who was/is Jesus? Who was/is Jesus?

A Messiah~complexedmental case?

A Messiah~complexedmental case?

A lying hustler? A lying hustler?

The resurrection would be the proof The resurrection would be the proof

The Son of God? The Son of God?

1 Corinthians 15:12-19 1 Corinthians 15:12-19 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. been raised.

1 Corinthians 15:12-19 1 Corinthians 15:12-19 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raisedbeen raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our . And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. preaching is useless and so is your faith.

1 Corinthians 15:12-19 1 Corinthians 15:12-19 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. Christ from the dead.

1 Corinthians 15:12-19 1 Corinthians 15:12-19 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. than all men.

1 Corinthians 15:12-19 1 Corinthians 15:12-19 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost.fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. than all men.

What happened to Jesus’ body?What happened to Jesus’ body?

Suggestion A ~ Jesus wasn’t really deadSuggestion A ~ Jesus wasn’t really dead

Badly wounded, he revived in the tombBadly wounded, he revived in the tombThe soldiers were incompetent.The soldiers were incompetent.

Bad at torturous executions.Bad at torturous executions.Unable to discern death.Unable to discern death.16 of them could not kill a battered 16 of them could not kill a battered man.man.

Jesus’ body was not wrapped up in Jesus’ body was not wrapped up in mummy-mummy- like fashion ~ John 19:38-42 like fashion ~ John 19:38-42

What happened to Jesus’ body?What happened to Jesus’ body?

Suggestion A ~ Jesus wasn’t really deadSuggestion A ~ Jesus wasn’t really dead

Suggestion B ~ Jesus was in another tombSuggestion B ~ Jesus was in another tomb

Suggestion C ~ The body was stolen!Suggestion C ~ The body was stolen!

XVIx

XVIx

What happened to Jesus’ body?What happened to Jesus’ body?

Suggestion A ~ Jesus wasn’t really deadSuggestion A ~ Jesus wasn’t really dead

Suggestion B ~ Jesus was in another tombSuggestion B ~ Jesus was in another tomb

Suggestion C ~ The body was stolen!Suggestion C ~ The body was stolen!

By those mighty warrior fishermen By those mighty warrior fishermen ~ Matt. 28:11-15 ~ Matt. 28:11-15

XVIx

What happened to Jesus’ body?What happened to Jesus’ body?

Suggestion A ~ Jesus wasn’t really deadSuggestion A ~ Jesus wasn’t really dead

Suggestion B ~ Jesus was in another tombSuggestion B ~ Jesus was in another tomb

Suggestion C ~ The body was stolen!Suggestion C ~ The body was stolen!

By the mighty Jewish leaders By the mighty Jewish leaders

So why not bring out the body?So why not bring out the body?

What happened to Jesus’ body?What happened to Jesus’ body?

Suggestion A ~ Jesus wasn’t really deadSuggestion A ~ Jesus wasn’t really dead

Suggestion B ~ Jesus was in another tombSuggestion B ~ Jesus was in another tomb

Suggestion C ~ The body was stolen!Suggestion C ~ The body was stolen!

Suggestion D ~ Jesus was resurrected Suggestion D ~ Jesus was resurrected (proving everything he said) (proving everything he said)

Matthew 27:50-28:20Matthew 27:50-28:20 11After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Maryweek, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to went to look at the tomb. look at the tomb. 22There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stonerolled back the stone and sat on it. and sat on it. 33His appearance His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. snow. 44The guards were so afraid of him that they The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. shook and became like dead men. 55The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. crucified. 66He is not here; he has risen, just as he He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. said. Come and see the place where he lay. 77Then go Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” 88So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 99Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 1010Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”me.”

Matthew 27:50-28:20Matthew 27:50-28:20 1111While the women were on their way, some of the While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. priests everything that had happened. 1212When the When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, 1313telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ asleep.’ 1414If this report gets to the governor, we will If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” 1515So the So the soldiers took the money and did as they were soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.among the Jews to this very day.

Two Options:Two Options:

He roseHe rose He didn’t He didn’t riserise

Two Options:Two Options:

He roseHe rose

Go home: this is a lie.Go home: this is a lie.Try Islam, Buddhism,Try Islam, Buddhism, Jehovah’s Jehovah’s Witnesses, Witnesses, Wicca, Animism, et Wicca, Animism, et al. al.

Live fast, die young Live fast, die young and and leave a beautiful leave a beautiful corpse.corpse.WhateverWhatever

(or (or nothing) nothing)

He didn’t He didn’t riserise

Two Options:Two Options:

He roseHe rose

Go home: this is a lie.Go home: this is a lie.Try Islam, Buddhism,Try Islam, Buddhism, Jehovah’s Jehovah’s Witnesses, Witnesses, Wicca, Animism, et Wicca, Animism, et al. al.

Live fast, die young Live fast, die young and and leave a beautiful leave a beautiful corpse.corpse.WhateverWhatever

(or (or nothing) nothing)

He didn’t He didn’t riseriseIt is all true, every It is all true, every

word.word.You are infinitely You are infinitely loved.loved.Embrace it (him).Embrace it (him).Live it.Live it.Speak it. (Acts 4:20)Speak it. (Acts 4:20)

Matthew 27:50-28:20Matthew 27:50-28:20 1616Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 1717When When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. doubted. 1818Then Jesus came to them and said, “All Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. me. 1919Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Son and of the Holy Spirit, 2020and teaching them to and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Surrender yourselfSurrender yourself