Jesus, Messiah

Matthew 28:1-10, Easter April 14, 2022 Jesus of Nazareth was a Jew. --Jesus celebrated Passover --Jesus was buried in a Pharisee’s tomb --the women were there to practice a Jewish burial -- Jesus was the Jew’s Messiah --a regular prayer life --instructed the healed lepers to see the Priest --Jesus attended synagogue --Jesus had all scripture memorized Ever notice the strange events around Jesus death and resurrection? --Matthew 27:45: darkness --Matthew 27:51: seismic activity --Matthew 27:51: Temple curtain torn Earthquakes? Volcano? Ash? The curtain torn as a result of the seismic activity? That might be what a scientist would say. Matthew, by these signs, showed us that Jesus’ death was not just a Jewish rebel rouser/criminal’s death by the Romans. And the Roman Army Captain also read the signs as something extraordinary: “Surely this man was the Son of God.” And the curtain in the Temple? The Book of Hebrews explains it a bit: Hebrews 5:19-20: Jesus entered and made sacrifice for us.(Hebrews 7:14-15) This new covenant and it’s sacrifice is not hidden by that Temple curtain as before. The way is open. . .to ALL (Matthew 11:28). These strange events at Jesus’ death ARE about HEAVEN and earth. Then, Matthew focuses on the women—but not UNTIL chapter 27! (Matthew 27:55-56) And you might be thinking. . .so. . so, what? The women saw Jesus die. The women saw Jesus buried (Matthew 27:61). The women saw the empty tomb (Matthew 28:1-10) The women saw Jesus resurrected. (Matthew 28:1-10) Jesus in his resurrection to life has been vindicated by God, the Heavenly Father of the Jewish faith. God has publicly approved of Jesus’ life by Jesus’ resurrection. Jesus IS the Messiah. In the beginning, the Heavenly Father had spoken privately through the angels at Jesus’ birth. (Matthew 2:20-23) The Heavenly Father had spoken at Jesus’ baptism (Matthew 3:16-17) Jesus’ last earthly words (Matthew 28:18): “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Jesus IS Savior. . .Jesus is King. . .Jesus is the Savior King, the Servant King and all who call upon Jesus can have a new life, forgiven of their sins and given a new life skills teacher in Jesus Messiah, Jesus, the Christ. Amen.