I HAVE A FRIEND WHO “CAN’T” BELIEVE IN THE RESURRECTION

I HAVE A FRIEND WHO “CAN’T” BELIEVE IN THE RESURRECTION

Mark 15:42-Mark 16:8

December 29^th, 2024

This all happened on Friday, the day of preparation, the day before the Sabbath. As evening approached, ⁴³ Joseph of Arimathea took a risk and went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. (Joseph was an honored member of the high council, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come.) ⁴⁴ Pilate couldn’t believe that Jesus was already dead, so he called for the Roman officer and asked if he had died yet. ⁴⁵ The officer confirmed that Jesus was dead, so Pilate told Joseph he could have the body. ⁴⁶ Joseph bought a long sheet of linen cloth. Then he took Jesus’ body down from the cross, wrapped it in the cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone in front of the entrance. ⁴⁷ Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where Jesus’ body was laid. Mark 15:42-47

5 Reasons to Believe in the Resurrection:

1. The Empty itself.

Saturday evening, when the Sabbath ended, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome went out and purchased burial spices so they could anoint Jesus’ body. ² Very early on Sunday morning, just at sunrise, they went to the tomb. ³ On the way they were asking each other, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” ⁴ But as they arrived, they looked up and saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled aside. Mark 16:1-4

2. Eyewitness

⁵ When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a white robe sitting on the right side. The women were shocked, ⁶ but the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body. ⁷ Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died.”⁸ The women fled from the tomb, trembling and bewildered, and they said nothing to anyone because they were too frightened. Mark 16:5-8

3. Easter

³ That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. ¹⁴ As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. ¹⁵ As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. ¹⁶ But God kept them from recognizing him. ¹⁷ He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?” “Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, Jesus explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” Luke 24:13-17,27

4. Emerging

The apostles were performing many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers were meeting regularly at the Temple in the area known as Solomon’s Colonnade. ¹³ But no one else dared to join them, even though all the people had high regard for them. ¹⁴ Yet more and more people believed and were brought to the Lord—crowds of both men and women. Acts 5:12-14

5. Evidence

“Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the power of the Father, we can also live a new life.” Romans 6:4

How does the risen Christ change my life?

1^st HE gives for yesterday

“Jesus was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God.” Romans 4:25

2^nd HE gives for today

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation.” 1 Peter 1:3

3^rd HE gives for tomorrow

“Jesus said, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies.’ Do you believe this?’” Martha said, “I do believe; help my unbelief!” John 11:25,26 (NIV)

A Life Changing Prayer

“Heavenly Father, I choose to believe Jesus died for my sins and was raised to life. I place my trust in Him as my Savior and my Lord. Help my unbelief. Help my eyes to be open to evidence that will grow my faith. May my own life show evidence of change as I receive your gift of forgiveness, purpose, and hope. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”