Bible Study - verse by verse # 86

Matthew 27:66 The Pharisees were so afraid of Jesus' predictions about His resurrection that they made sure the tomb was thoroughly sealed and guarded. Because the tomb was hewn out of rock in the side of the hill, there was only one entrance. The tomb was sealed by stringing a cord across the stone that was rolled over the entrance. The cord was sealed at each end with clay. But the religious leaders took a further precaution, asking that guards be placed at the tomb's entrance. With such precautions, the only way the tomb could be empty would be for Jesus to rise from the dead. The Pharisees failed to understand that no rock, seal, guard, or army could prevent the Son of God from rising again.
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Matthew 28:2 The stone was not rolled back so Jesus could get out, but so others could get in and see that Jesus had indeed risen from the dead, just as He had promised.
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Matthew 28:57 The angel who announced the good news of the Resurrection to the women gave them four messages: 1. Do not be afraid. The reality of the Resurrection brings joy, not fear. When you are afraid, remember the empty tomb. 2. He is not here. Jesus is not dead and is not to be looked for among the dead. He is alive, with His people. 3. Come, see. The women could check the evidence themselves. The tomb was empty then, and it is empty today. The resurrection is a historical fact. 4. Go quickly and tell. They were to spread the joy of the Resurrection. We too are to spread the great news about Jesus' resurrection.
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Matthew 28:6 Jesus' resurrection is the key to the Christian faith. Why? 1. Just as He promised, Jesus rose from the dead. We can be confident, therefore, that He will accomplish all He has promised. 2. Jesus' bodily resurrection shows us that the living Christ is ruler of God's eternal kingdom, not a false prophet or impostor. 3. We can be certain of our resurrection because He was resurrected. Death is not the end- there is a future life. 4. The power that brought Jesus back to life is available to us to being our spiritually dead selves back to life. 5. The Resurrection is the basis for the church's witness to the world. Jesus is more than just a human leader. He is the Son of God.