I would like to read to you the story of the events that occurred the last few hours of Jesus' life right after He had been arrested.
Read: Mt. 27:27-60
That was it; it was over. There in that cold, dark cave-like tomb lay the swollen, bloodied, torn, broken, lifeless Jesus of Nazareth. His body stiff from rigor mortis, His broken-hearted followers running for a place to hide fearing that the authorities might soon be breaking down their doors. It was over.
All He ever did was love the ones no one else would love. All He ever did was feed the poor, encourage the faint- hearted, He healed the sick, He taught people how to know God. He was 33. His disciples must have expected him to live another 50 years. But now...there was no breath, no heart-beat, no brain-waves...nothing, dead. The story continues... Read: Mt. 27:62-28:20
I. The Cover-Up Of The Chief Priests v11-15
A. Have you noticed how intrigued we are by cover-ups and conspiracies?
1. Area 51 and the X-files
2. The assassination of JFK
3. There are over 7,000 sites on the internet that focus on cover-ups and conspiracies.
B. This was a cover-up of the Truth.
1. The guards come and tell the authorities what happened.
2. The authorities pay them off to tell a lie.
3. There were some problems with their story:
a. Pilate had warned them that this might happen, and told them to make the watch sure.
b. If they were asleep, how is it that they weren't punished for failing to carry out Pilate's instructions?
c. If they fell asleep, how did they know it was the disciples who stole away His body?
d. Too many questions and too many inconsistencies.
II. The Cover-Up Continues Today
A. Our society has tried to cover up the meaning of Easter.
1. It's been covered-up with bunnies, eggs, candy, big family dinners.
2. I love all those things...but they tend to cover- up what Easter is really all about.
B. Easter is about…
1. God sending His son to earth to live a perfect life, to teach the ways of God.
2. Jesus willing to die on a cross for our sins.
3. It's about that same Jesus coming back to life never to die again.
III. The Practical Meaning of Easter.
A. Three things:
1. Since He is alive, then we can know Him today!
2. Since He is alive then He was who He said He was.
3. Since God raised Him from the dead, then we have the hope of a resurrection.
(1 Cor 15:20-22) "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. {21} For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. {22} For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive."
B. There are three types of people here this morning:
1. Christians...to you he says, "Go...tell everyone."
2. Those who think they are Christians but probable are not...to you He says, "There is so much more..."
3. Those who would make no claim to being a Christian...to you he says, "I love you and want to have a relationship with you, will you come to me?"
None of this would be possible if Jesus were not alive. We would probably just be celebrating Good Friday...what a good person He was, His teaching, His example, etc. But He is alive! Will you come to Him and invite Him in?