Yes, This Really Happened!

Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – April 17, 2022

“Yes, this really happened!”

The sequence of events in Jesus’ resurrection story:

1. The moment of the resurrection (Matthew 28:2-4).(the only eye witnesses were the guards)

2. Mary Magdalene & another Mary arrive at the tomb (John 20:1-2; Matthew 28:1).(they both leave the tomb to find the disciples before any one else arrives)
3. Another group of women were coming to meet the two Marys’ at the tomb. (Mark 16:2-8; Luke 24:1-8, Matthew 28:5-8).(they leave the tomb to look for the disciples, & Mary M.)
4. Peter & John arrive at the tomb(Luke 24:12, John 20:3-10).(Peter & John leave, Mary M. lingers, the other women are not far away)
5. Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene (John 20:11-17, Mark 16:9).(Mary hurries away to tell the disciples that she saw Jesus)
6. Jesus then appears to the other women (Matthew 28:9-10).(the women resume their search for the disciples)
7. The women, including Mary Magdalene, report their meeting with Jesus to the disciples, (Mark 16:10-11, Luke 24:9-11, John 20:18).(at this point, it was only the women had actually seen Jesus)
8. The Roman guards report what they had witnessed to the chief priests. (Matthew 28:11-15).(the chiefs priests knew what really happened, but denied it and tried to cover it up)

Are you focused on the surface facts of the story or on the truthful meaning the story holds for you?

The words of an eye witness to the risen Jesus – 1 Peter 1:3-9