The Resurrection - Through The Eyes of The Women - The Gospels

Father, I want to thank you that you are good.

We thank you and give you praise that you are

God and that you blessed the seventh day and

you rested, not for man to have rest, but to

proclaim that you are the God of the Sabbath,

that you are. our Sabbath rest. We praise you

and thank you. May the full counsel of your words

be spoken today. May we rightly divide it for

your glory and honor. And may your people and

the people that are here today visiting have

prepared their hearts to receive your word today.

Most importantly, may they hear the gospel and

Holy Spirit. May you come upon the hearts of

your people and draw them home. We praise you

and thank you in Jesus' name. Amen. The Lord

of the Sabbath. God blessed the seventh day and

made it holy. Genesis 2, 1 through 3. Thus the

heavens and the earth were finished and all of

the host of them. And on the seventh day, God

finished his work. that he had done, and he rested

on the seventh day from all of his work that

he had done. And so God blessed the seventh day

and made it holy, because on it God rested from

all his work that he had done in creation. God

rested, as if the labor that he had done was

burdensome. No. God rested. It is finished, and

God rested. His work of salvation was finished,

and he had rested on the seventh day, the women

and the rich man. When Jesus had received the

sour wine, he said, it is finished. The work

that he had come to do is finished. He's done

the work, and he bowed his head and gave up his

spirit. And Joseph took the body and wrapped

it in clean linen shroud and laid it in his own

new tomb and laid it in his own new tomb, which

he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great

stone in the entrance of the tomb and went away.

And Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there

sitting opposite the tomb. And Joseph bought

a linen shroud, Mark 15, 46. And taking him down,

wrapped him in linen shroud and laid him in a

tomb that he had cut out of the rock. And he

rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb.

Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Joseph,

saw where he was laid. Luke 23, 45 and 46. It

was the day of preparation. The Sabbath was beginning.

The women who had come with him. from Galilee,

followed and saw the tomb and how his body was

laid. Then they returned and prepared spices,

anointments, John 19, 42. So because of the Jewish

day of preparation, since the tomb was close

at hand, they laid him there. God rested. Who

would have ever thought that the very creation

of God, the six days of work and the one day

of rest would be the story of the dead Savior.

I didn't see it. I was listening to my son sing

this song at his Good Friday service. And as

I'm staring, listening to the song, all of a

sudden, as he sung this song, all of the scriptures

flooded my mind. And I was like, oh, how could

I have missed the Lord of the Sabbath? God rest

it. Why would God use women? I mean, after all,

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary saw where Jesus

was laid. Why the women? Why the women? Well,

first, a couple of things I want you to understand

is it was not typical for the men to go and create

ointment for the dead bodies of their loved ones.

It was the women. So it makes a lot of sense

that the women would go and anoint the body to

make sure that the body was preserved as best

as possible. But the stone had already been rolled

in front of the tomb because God rested from

all his work. Why the women? Why the women on

the day of resurrection? Why were they the first

to go? Because they couldn't move the stone.

See, men could easily move the stone. I mean,

Joseph put the stone in place and closed up the

tomb. Men can move the stone, but can the woman

move a stone so large and so great? Nope. Why

the women? Because the testimony of a woman.

She was out of place to go and tell people of

things. They weren't to do that. They were to

remain quiet. Why the women? Why Mary Magdalene?

Everybody knew Mary Magdalene. Well, that's going

to be the answer today. The resurrection through

the eyes of the women. Why the women? Credible

witnesses. Why the women? They were credible

witnesses. They went first. They were the first

witnesses. There are three witnesses in this

resurrection. Why three witnesses? Because without

two or three witnesses, an accusation or a truth

cannot stand. Why the women? They're the most

credible witnesses. Who will remove the stone?

There's an obstacle. Who's going to remove the

stone? Now, Matthew 28, 1 through 4. 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, and for an angel of the Lord

descended from heaven, came and rolled back the

stone and sat on it. A stone's not too heavy

for an angel to move, but for a woman. His appearance

was like lightning, and his clothing white as

snow. And for fear of him, the guards trembled

and became like dead men. Those men couldn't

move the snow. They were like dead men. Mark

16, 1 through 4, when the Sabbath was passed,

Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James and

Salome, brought spices or bought spices so they

might go and anoint him. And very early on the

first day of the week, when the sun had risen,

they went to the tomb. And they were saying to

one another, who will roll the stone away for

us? From the entrance of the tomb. I mean, we

can't move the stone. It's too heavy. Why the

women? And he looked up and they saw that the

stone had already been rolled back. And it was

very large. Luke 24, 1 through 3. But on the

first day of the week, at early dawn, they went

to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared.

And they found the stone rolled away from the

tomb. But when they went in, they did not find

the body of the Lord Jesus. Why the women? John

21, 20, verse 1. Now on the first day of the

week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early while

it was still dark and saw that the stone had

been taken away from the tomb. Now you know why

it was the women. Because if the men had come

first to move, The stone, they would have been

accused of stealing the body. See, what God saw

in advance was that the guards would run to the

high priest and say what they had seen. And they

said, tell the people that the body was stolen.

The problem is the women didn't roll the stone

away. That's why the women, second witnesses,

the angelic witness. That's a witness you can't

argue with. These are the creatures that God

created. They appear in the appearance of man.

They are the witnesses and messengers of God.

Who else can tell the truth? They always tell

the truth. That's why angelic witnesses, the

heavenly witness. You have the credible witnesses,

the women. You have the heavenly witnesses, the

angels. And the angel said, go tell. Matthew

28, 5 through 7. 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. He is risen.

As he said, come see the place where he lay,

where he rested. 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. Notice

the heavenly witness tells the credible witness

why the women. Mark 16, five through seven. And

entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting

on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and

they were alarmed. And he said to them, Do not

be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth who was

crucified. He has risen. He is not here. See

the place where they laid him, where he rested.

But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he

is going before you to Galilee. There you will

see him just as he told you. Go and tell. That's

why the women. In Luke 24, four through seven,

while they were perplexed about this, behold,

two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And

as they were frightened and bowed their faces

to the ground, the men said to them, why do you

seek the living among the dead? He is not here,

but has risen. Remember, he told you while you

were still in Galilee. That the Son of Man must

be delivered into the hands of sinful men and

be crucified on the third day. Rise. That's why

the women. Third witness. Interesting. The third

witnesses end up becoming the apostles. I haven't

gotten there yet. Why the women? Because the

women are faithful witnesses. Not only are they

the credible witnesses, but they are the faithful

witnesses. So much so that out of all of the

women, one is mentioned by name. Why? Because

she is faithful. The faithful women risk it all

to tell the resurrection. He is alive. Think

about this. They are willing to give their lives

to tell that he is raised from the dead. Matthew

28. eight through 10. 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. Notice

they went to the tomb. They realized he's not

there. They are running home because the angel

said, go and tell. And they're like, no, we ain't

telling anybody. Do you know what will happen

to us? And Jesus says, greetings. And they worshiped

him, not because he is one of many gods, but

because he is the only God. And they came up

and took hold of him by 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. Mark 16, 8, And they

went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling

and astonishment had seized them. And they said

nothing to anyone, for they were afraid, except

Jesus met them on the way. And Luke 24, 8 through

11 says, And they remembered his words, and returning

from the tomb, they told all these things to

the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary

Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary, the mother of James,

and the other women with them who told these

things to the apostles. Why? They are the credible

and faithful witnesses. But these words seem

to be an idle tale to them. They did not believe

the women. Why? Because they were women. Why

did God choose the women? And John 20 verse 2

John 20:2

says this, So she, Mary Magdalene, ran and went

to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one

whom Jesus loved, and said to them, They have

taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not

know where they have laid him. And then they

all run back. You know the story. The apostolic

witness. Here's the third witness. The witness

of the apostles. Finally, someone will believe.

Luke 24, 12, but Peter rose and ran to the tomb.

Now, if you know, Peter is old, like me. I don't

know about, you know, me and Owen ran. He will

get there first because he's like, John, I'm

dying halfway through. This is what Peter did.

He's gone. Peter's like, yo, I'm gone. So Peter

rose and he ran to the tombs, stooping and looking

in. And he saw the linen cloths by themselves.

And he went home marveling at what happened.

That's what it says in Luke 24, 12. In John 20,

John 20:2–10

verse 2 through 10. So Peter went out with the

other disciple and they were going toward the

tomb. Both of them were running together. And

the other disciple outran Peter and reached the

tomb first. That's Owen. Not fair. And stooping

in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but

he didn't go in because Peter did. Then Simon

Peter came, followed him and went into the tomb

and he saw the linen cloths lying there and the

face cloth, which had been on Jesus's head, not

lying with the linen cloths, but folded up in.

a place by itself. To all of our wonderful brothers

and sisters that believe that the shrouded Torah

in Israel, this scripture alone verifies it's

not. Because he had a face cloth wrapped around

his face, and it was the only thing folded. I

believe the scripture above all else. This is

what the scripture says. And the other disciple,

the one who reached the tomb first, also went

in and saw and believed. For as yet they did

not understand the scripture that he must rise

from the dead. Then the disciples went back to

their homes. John and Peter went back home in

the morning going, what are we going to do with

this? But everybody knows the story. Later on

that day, it gets out that the disciples had

stolen the body, quote unquote, because the guards

told the truth, but the Pharisees wanted to lie.

And they all meet in a room and lock the door.

And guess who shows up? Jesus. And they're terrified,

thinking he was a ghost. And he says, peace be

with you. And you guys know the story. Why Mary

Magdalene out of all of the women? Why Mary out

of all of the women? She is the only one mentioned

by name in all four gospels concerning the resurrection

of Christ. By name. Not even the mother of Jesus.

is mentioned by name, but Mary Magdalene is.

Why? The faithful witness. Look what it says.

She is mentioned in Matthew 28 1, Mark 16 1,

Luke 24 10, and John 21. A true and faithful

witness. I have seen the Lord. That's why Mary

Magdalene. But Mary stood weeping outside the

tomb, and as she As she wept, she stooped to

look into the tomb and she saw two angels in

white sitting where the body of Jesus had lain,

where he rested. One at the head and the other

at the feet. And they said to her, woman, why

are you weeping? And she said to them, they have

taken away my Lord and I do not know where they

laid him. Why? Because after this, Peter and

John went home and she stayed. weeping that someone

had taken the body, because why else would there

be no body? Having said this, she turned around

and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not

know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, woman,

why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking, supposing

him to be the gardener? I don't know about that,

but she thinks so. I mean, if the angels are

glorified. Can you imagine? That's a pretty brilliant

gardener. She said to him, sir, if you have carried

him away, tell me where you laid him and I will

take him away. She couldn't roll a stone, but

she wants the body of Jesus. Well, she got the

body of Jesus in a way she did not understand

until now. And Jesus said to her, Mary. She turned

and said to him in Aramaic, Rabboni. which means

teacher, Jesus said to her, do not cling to me,

for I have not yet ascended to the Father, but

go to my brothers and say to them, I am ascending

to my Father and your Father, to my God and your

God. And Mary Magdalene went and announced, proclaimed,

screamed to the disciples, I have seen the risen

Lord. and that he had said these things to her.

Why the women? Because they're credible witnesses.

Why the women? Because they are faithful witness.

Why Mary Magdalene out of all the women? Because

she is the true and faithful witness who proclaimed,

I have seen the Lord. Can you be a faithful witness?

In our society and in this country, being a woman

is not esteemed. God esteems you. Being a woman,

your femininity is being removed and stolen from

you. God sees you. Why the women? Because they

are true, credible, faithful witnesses. Can you

be a faithful witness? Men, can you be like the

men, faithful witnesses? Or do you have to, like

Thomas, wait to see and stick your finger in

his hands and put your hand in his side to believe?

Or do you believe because he said so? Remember,

he told you before he was crucified to go to

Galilee and I will meet you there. Why did they

not go? Men, be men. You lead. Why the women?

Because they couldn't roll the stone away. Why

the women? Because society didn't believe them

either in their day. Why the women? Why Mary

Magdalene? Because she's seen the Lord. Go and

be faithful, credible witnesses. Our Lord is

risen. He is alive. He is one. You can kill me

and take my life. I will be with him forever.

And there's nothing you can do about that. Because

one day I will return with him on a white horse

as he takes all things and restores all things.

His restoration is complete in us. And we will

one day be like him as he has promised. Because

he has risen. So I want to give you a gospel.

What's the faithful witness do? Go. into all

the world, make disciples, baptizing them in

the name of the Father and of the Son and of

the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all

that I've commanded. Preach the gospel. Go into

all the world and preach to every creature. What

is the gospel? I will read it to you verbatim.

First Corinthians chapter 15, verse three through

1 Corinthians 15 · chapter mention

four. For I've delivered to you as a first importance

what I also received, that Christ died for our

sins in accordance with the scriptures, that

he was buried and that he raised on the third

day in accordance with the scriptures. That's

the gospel. All you got to tell, Jesus is risen.

He is risen. Father, I want to thank you. that

you are God. We are not. You are faithful. You

are King. You are Lord. You are the risen Christ,

the everlasting to everlasting, who was and is

and is to come, the Almighty. Holy, holy, holy

is the Lord Almighty. We praise you and we thank

you. Today is the day we are reminded that you

are the God who has given us victory. You are.

our Sabbath rest. We praise you and thank you.

We have to work. Our six days aren't up yet,

but one day we will rest like you have from all

our labor. Help us to be busy, found, laboring

for your glory. In Jesus' name, amen.