Christmas feels like Easter- Mark 16
December 20, 2020 Series
Good Good News!“If Jesus was only born and died, Christmas is merely inspirational, but because he was resurrected, Christmas is transformational.”
The resurrection story feels a lot like Christmas…
Mark 16:1–8 (ESV) 16 When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
The Resurrection feels like Christmas
1. A Joseph and Mary
2. A repurposed place
3. Surprises
-A Full womb
-An Empty womb
4. Angels are present
5. Fear and Assurance
Angel comforting Mary:
Luke 1:30–33 (NIV) 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
Angel comforting Mary’s "
Mark 16:6 (ESV) He said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him.
6. The Good News Spreads
Luke 2:17–18 (NIV)17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
Mark 16:7-8 (ESV) But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Mark 16:15(ESV) He said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
Our Response:
1. Believe the news: the best gift we can receive.
The message of Christmas: Incarnation:
“The eternal takes on mortality only to reclothe himself with immortality so that mere mortals can take on immortality.”
2. Spread the News: the best give we can give.
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Additional Reading:
The Resurrection of Jesus: Matt. 28:1–8; Luke 24:1–9
The Appearances of Jesus: Luke 24:13–48; John 20:1–10
The Ascension of Jesus: Luke 24:49–53; Acts 1:9
The Christmas Story: Matthew 1&2 Luke 1&2
