The Lenten Museum: The Wax Seal Easter
1. Everything looks _______.
It was already evening, and since it was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). (Mk 15:42) [Jesus] 28b ... knowing that everything had now been finished ... 30b he said, "It is finished!" Then, bowing his head, he gave up his spirit. (Jn 19:28b, 30b)
Joseph from Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, boldly went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. (Mk 15:43)
... was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews. (Jn 19:38b)
44 Pilate was surprised that he was already dead. He summoned the centurion and asked him if Jesus had been dead for a long time. 45 When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he granted the body to Joseph. 46 Joseph bought a linen cloth, took him down, and wrapped him in the linen cloth. He laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of rock, and he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. (Mk 15:43–46)
Nicodemus, who earlier had come to Jesus at night, also came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-two pounds. (Jn 19:39)
Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses were watching where the body was laid. (Mk 15:43–47)
The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed after Joseph, and they observed the tomb and how his body was laid there. (Lk 23:55)
2. The tomb is ____________.
62 On the next day, which was the day after the Preparation Day, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered in the presence of Pilate 63 and said, "Sir, we remembered what that deceiver said while he was still alive: 'After three days I will rise again.' 64 So give a command that the tomb be made secure until the third day. Otherwise his disciples might steal his body and tell the people, 'He is risen from the dead.' And this last deception will be worse than the first." (Mt 27:62–64)
21 So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, "Do not write, 'The King of the Jews,' but that 'this man said, "I am the King of the Jews." ' " 22 Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written." (Jn 19:21–22)
65 Pilate said to them, "You have a guard. Go, make it as secure as you know how." 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and posting a guard. (Mt 27:65–66)
3. The grave _____________ hold Jesus.
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. (Mt 28:1)
The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill him. But three days after he is killed, he will rise. (Mk 9:31b)
If anyone wants to follow me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. (Mt 16:24b)
We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Ro 8:28)
Suddenly, there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, and going to the tomb, he rolled away the stone and was sitting on it. (Mt 28:2)
50 After Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. 51 Suddenly, the temple curtain was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and rocks were split. (Mt 27:50–51)
... and made an announcement to the spirits in prison. (1 Pe 3:19b)
His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. (Mt 28:3)
The guards were so terrified of him that they shook and became like dead men. (Mt 28:4)
5 The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid! I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here. He has risen, just as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 Go quickly and tell his disciples, 'He has risen from the dead! And look, he is going ahead of you to Galilee. There you will see him.' See, I have told you! (Mt 28:5–7)
8 They hurried away from the tomb, with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" They approached, took hold of his feet, and worshipped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go, tell my brothers that they should go to Galilee, and there they will see me." (Mt 28:8–10)
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing" (1 Co 1:18a)
Points to Ponder
1) What is one thing that stood out to you from this week's message?
2) Recall a time that you thought all was lost – but Jesus was still in control.
3) React to this: No matter how things look, God is still in control.
