Today’s text is the resurrection account from Matthew. Matthew was writing primarily to the Jewish Christians, and includes some interesting details. We find that politicians protect those who lie on their behalf. That cover ups exist. And that the true work of God causes fear in those remaining.

(There were now 11 disciples; Judas was dead. The church was built not from 12 apostles, but 11 and Paul, who arrived, as he said, as a child born out of time, a decade or so later)

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, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. 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, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 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.” 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. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers and said, “Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spread among the Jews to this day.

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.

(Matthew 28:1-16 ESV)

Christ rose.

And the enemy starting lying from day one, and doubling down.

Nothing has changed. Many deny Christ lived, or that he died, or that he rose. They want to make him one with Buddha or Lao Tse: a good moral teacher. But CHrist did not give us that option. He said that he would die and rise. He claimed to be God.

He was either a liar, mad or telling the truth. And you cannot be a liar or mad and be a good moral teacher.

The liberal idea that this is a useful myth is an equal nonsense: you do not die for a useful myth. Christ either rose, literally, from the dead, or our hope is in vain.

At the time of Jesus the Jewish people still slaughtered lambs in observance of Passover, with the male lambs slaughtered on the day of preparation. Indeed, the Lamb of God, Christ, was crucified on the day of preparation (John 19:31). Like Isaac in Genesis, Jesus carried the wood for his own sacrifice (John 19:17). Like the ram caught in the thicket, his head was surrounded by thorns (Mat. 27:29, Mark 15:17, John 19:2,5). And like the male lambs in Genesis and Exodus He was without blemish.

It is by the blood of this Lamb that we are saved, and this is why we celebrate Easter. May God bless each of your households.

(Yes, I’m paraphrasing C. S. Lewis. But he was paraphrasing a much older argument).

And if Christ rose, then all has changed. If he did not rise, the Christian faith is a lie, and we are deeply deluded and doubly damned.

But praise God. Christ rose indeed.