Lessons Learned at the Tomb

Lessons Learned in the Tomb

Mark 16:1-8

Did you notice the sign out front this morning?

Have you been to the tomb yet today?

Verly early in the morning the two Marys came to the tomb at the rising of the sun, but the Son of God had already risen. He who was before all things rose from the dead before sunrise.

1. Whom they sought. “Ye seek Jesus,” said the messenger from Heaven to them.

a. They sought Him that they might anoint Him (vs. 1-6).

b. But the living Christ is never found among the dead. Anxious sinners often seek Him where He cannot be found, among their own dead works or in their own unregenerate hearts. He is not there.

2. When they came. “Very early in the morning, the first day of the week” (v. 2).

a. Although they did not find Him where, and as they expected, yet they found Him (John 20.18).

b. “They that seek Me early shall find Me.” Seed Him early in the morning of life, early in the morning of each day, especially the first day of the week.

c. This first day of the week was the new Sabath of the new creation.

3. Where they went. “And entering into the tomb” (v. 5).

a. It would appear that they stooped down and went right into the grave (John 20:11). In this place of death they had this great revelation of His resurrection power. Where else can we learn it as an experience but by stooping down into His grave?

b. It is by being made “conformable unto His death” that we are make to know the “power of His resurrection” (Phil. 3:10). We must stoop down to be crucified with Christ if the risen One is to live in us (Col. 3:1-3). We stoop to conquer.

4. What they received. They found precious treasure in the tomb of Jesus. It is not death to enter here, but life for evermore. Here they pass from the natural life of sense into the spiritual life of faith. By faith enter the grave of Christ as crucified for you, and ye shall be quickened by resurrection life. They received —

a. A Vision of the Heavenly One. “They saw a young man sitting, clothed in a long white garment” (v. 5).

i. Here in this new tomb, where the Lord Jesus was the only one that ever lay, are they brought into fellowship with a sent one from Heaven.

ii. As the Holy ghost was not yet given, because that Jesus Christ was not yet glorified, may we not suppose that this young man came as a timely and temporary substitute to take the things of christ and show them to these early seekers?

iii. It is still true that when we put self and self wisdom in the place of death we shall be taught of God.

b. A Word of Comfort. “He said, Be not Affrighted” (v. 6). There is nothing to fear in the grave of your Redeemer. There is a living One there, the ever youthful Spirit of God, waiting to comfort the sorrowful seeker.

c. A Proof of Heavenly Sympathy. “Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth.”

i. It must have been a relief to them that this God-sent messenger knew the deeper yearnings of their soul, and was at one with them in their interest.

ii. The Holy Spirit is all this and much more to us. “He helpeth our infirmities and maketh intercession according to the will of God” (Rom. 8:26-27).

d. The Assurance of Victory. “He saith unto them, He is risen.”

i. This was exceeding abundantly above all that they asked or thought. He is not stolen; He is risen. He died for our sins and rose again for our justification.

ii. This young man, sitting in the place where Jesus was laid, acts the part of a forerunner of the Holy spirit in bringing the assurance of life to the hearts of these Savior-loving women.

iii. Peter tells what effect this renewed hope had: 1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

e. An Evidence of Resurrection. “He is not here; behold the place where they laid Him.”

i. The place where they laid Him was empty. The clothes where there, and perhaps lying folded (not doubled up) just as they were when He was in them. The position of the linen clothes and the napkin evidently astonished the disciples (John 20:6-8).

ii. Who could doubt the resurrection who have themselves passed from death into life, and “know Him and the power of His resurrection” (Phil. 3:10).

f. A Great Commission. “Go your way, and tell.”

i. Testimony for Christ must follow the reviving influence of his resurrection life. They received their commission from an angel from Heaven.

ii. The Holy ghost said, “Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them” (Acts 13:2). “ye shall be witnesses unto Me . . . to the uttermost parts of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

g. A Precious Promise. “He goeth before you into Galilee, there ye shall see Him.”

i. Blessed prospect that is ever before them that go in His Name. Ye shall see Him, and be made like Him (1 John 3:2). It is ever before us as week seek the day that we will be with Him. If we go forth we will see His work ahead of us.

ii. Having been sent “they went out quickly.” They were not disobedient to the heavenly vision.

iii. Go thou and do likewise, and in the doing of His will there ye shall see Him.

5. Conclusion

a. Have you found Jesus?

b. Have you sought Him this morning?

c. Will you go and tell?