soldiers – Gospel Progress

In this greatest of stories, a righteous God redeems sinful man. In its beginning, man is pitted against God, other men, and himself because of sin and faces an eternity separated from his Creator in hell. But in the suspense-filled climax, when it looks like Satan has won by putting our Savior on the cross and in the tomb, Jesus rises from the dead, so that we may too! What a resolution! It’s no wonder that “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today” is one of our most beloved hymns:

Christ, the Lord, is ris’n today, Hallelujah! Sons of men and angels say, Hallelujah! Raise your joys and triumphs high, Hallelujah! Sing, ye heav’ns; thou earth, reply, Hallelujah!

I. John 19:38-30. As the second stanza states, love’s redeeming work was certainly done (1 John 4:9-10). Never having to face death again, it no longer had mastery over Jesus (Romans 6:9) and so not us either as we are ransomed from our futile ways (1 Peter 1:17-18):

Love’s redeeming work is done, Hallelujah! Fought the fight, the battle won, Hallelujah! Lo! Our sun’s eclipse is o’er, Hallelujah! Lo! He sets in blood no more, Hallelujah!

II. Matthew 27:63-66. Concern from the Jewish leaders that Jesus’ followers would steal the body and claim that He had risen from the dead prompted them to lie when Pilate eliminated all explanations for the empty tomb except that Jesus had actually risen (Romans 3:21-26):

Vain the stone, the watch, the seal, Hallelujah! Christ hath burst the gates of hell, Hallelujah! Death in vain forbids His rise, Hallelujah! Christ hath opened paradise, Hallelujah!

III. Luke 24:5-7. The angel proclaims this fact as well. We should not look for the living among the dead anymore for Jesus is risen and will never again die (Revelation 1:17-18). Because He overcame death, so can we. Death can have no hold on us ever again (1 Corinthians 15:54-57):

Lives again our glorious King, Hallelujah! Where, O death, is now thy sting? Hallelujah! Once He died our souls to save, Hallelujah! Where’s thy vict’ry, boasting grave? Hallelujah!

And that is indeed good news! Having obeyed the gospel, are you living as if Jesus is risen or still in the tomb?

We focus on the anguish Jesus endured from Gethsemane to Golgotha for us, and rightly so, but what must that somber Sabbath been like for His very confused and scared loved ones while “Low in the Grave He Lay” who didn’t know that soon He would rise (Luke 23:54-56)?

I. John 19:38-41. Expectations were dashed. He had just entered Jerusalem triumphantly, hailed by the crowd as the awaited Messiah in David’s line (Matthew 21:7-11). But now it was over. Death was so final. Just prepare some spices before dark and rest … because it is the Sabbath.

Low in the grave He lay–Jesus, my Savior! Waiting the coming day–Jesus my Lord!

II. Matthew 26:62-66. Enemies were vigilant. They had just watched Him enter Jerusalem triumphantly and heard Him hailed as the awaited Messiah in David’s line. Still they had managed to kill Him. Now, how to secure the tomb lest His followers steal His body and claim that He’s alive?

Vainly they watch His bed–Jesus, my Savior! Vainly they seal the dead–Jesus my Lord!

III. Luke 24:1-14. Excitement was building … but they didn’t know it! Gloom to the tomb characterized the women’s trip early on the first day of the week. Their only concern was who would move the stone for them as the soldiers weren’t likely to help. But then, what’s this? Where is He?

Death cannot keep his prey–Jesus, my Savior! He tore the bars away–Jesus my Lord!

He is risen! How can that be? The verses sung slowly and pianissimo (pp) give way to a chorus sung quickly and fortissimo (ff) as realization comes that Jesus has indeed overcome death.

Up from the grave He arose With a mighty triumph o’er His foes; He arose a Victor from the dark domain, And He lives forever with His saints to reign: He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!