The Guards at the Tomb
62 The next day was the day after Preparation Day. The chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate.
63 “Sir,” they said, “we remember something that liar said while he was still alive. He claimed, ‘After three days I will rise again.’
64 So give the order to make the tomb secure until the third day. If you don’t, his disciples might come and steal the body. Then they will tell the people that Jesus has been raised from the dead. This last lie will be worse than the first.”
65 “Take some guards with you,” Pilate answered. “Go. Make the tomb as secure as you can.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure. They put a royal seal on the stone and placed some guards on duty.
Matthew 28:1-10
The Sabbath day was now over. It was dawn on the first day of the week. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2 There was a powerful earthquake. An angel of the Lord came down from heaven. The angel went to the tomb. He rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His body shone like lightning. His clothes were as white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
5 The angel said to the women, “Don’t 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 he would! Come and see the place where he was lying. 7 Go quickly! Tell his disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead. He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
8 So the women hurried away from the tomb. They were afraid, but they were filled with joy. They ran to tell the disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings!” he said. They came to him, took hold of his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee. There they will see me.”
1.Easter
2. The Story
3. The Benefits of the resurrection.
Discussion : “What is Easter, and why do we celebrate it?”
1. Easter
Easter comes from the Hebrew word “Pesach.”
It is the story of the Passover.
In Egypt, God saved His people by asking them to take a lamb and put its blood on their doorposts. Death would pass over and not enter the house.
Anyone covered by the blood would be saved.
Jesus is the Passover Lamb—our Easter.
He shed His blood for you. If you accept Him, you escape eternal death.
This is salvation.
God does not hate mankind, but humanity has a fallen nature that cannot come close to God—darkness runs from light.
God offers a new life through the cross of Jesus:
• His death and His blood.
This is Easter. If you do not know Jesus, you can accept Him today.
About 4,000 years ago in Egypt, some people missed the opportunity—do not miss it today.
Discussion:
“What goals have you set for 2026?
Are they coming to pass?”
2. The story
The Sabbath day was now over. It was dawn on the first day of the week. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2 There was a powerful earthquake. An angel of the Lord came down from heaven. The angel went to the tomb. He rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His body shone like lightning. His clothes were as white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
5 The angel said to the women, “Don’t be afraid. I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here! He has risen, just as he said he would! Come and see the place where he was lying. Matthew 28:1-6
“A coming Messiah to save a people enslaved by sin, sickness, and death.”
-Verses example:
Isaiah 53:4–5 – The Suffering Servant
“Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering… by his wounds we are healed.”
Psalm 103:2–3 – Forgiveness and Healing
“Who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases”
Jesus came and fulfilled all the prophecies
But He was arrested.
They hoped He would be freed, but He was beaten and crucified.
All hope was lost… but when they least expected it, He rose from the dead and appeared to them.
This is the day of resurrection!
Every dead dream can come to life again!
Dream again!
This is Easter!
Question: “What is the difference between the resurrection of Jesus and that of
Lazarus?”
3. The benefits of the resurrection
Matthew 27:65-66 “Take some guards with you,” Pilate answered. “Go. Make the tomb as secure as you can.” [66] So they went and made the tomb secure. They put a royal seal on the stone and placed some guards on duty.
1. Victory over sin
You can be holy and righteous.
You can walk in victory over sin.
2. Victory over Death
We will be resurrected in Christ.
We have victory over the fears of death and the devil.
3. Victory over This World
Victory over the limitations of this world.
Life and healing.
Answers to our prayers.
This is Easter!
