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Morning of confusion.

• John and Peter run. John was faster. Peter was bolder.
• The women were fearful, confused, and bewildered. Mark 16:8
• John and Luke’s account speak to the lack of clarity among the disciples and Jesus’ closest followers.
• They could not make sense of the empty tomb until…

John 20:9 “They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus HAD to rise from the dead.”

Why was it vital that Jesus rise from the dead?

 Read Acts 2:22-36

Peter with clarity and understanding answers this question on the day the church was born.

• Peter appealed to Jesus being “The Messiah” by the signs and wonders he displayed. (22)
  
  
• The suffering and death of Jesus was part of God’s sovereign plan. (23)
  • God knew by his foreknowledge that the wickedness of man would revolt against Jesus.
  • He foreknew that Satan would fight him tooth and nail.
  • God leveraged their wickedness against them by bringing about the complete payment for evil that will reconcile people to God. Genesis 50:20

• Jesus was raised from the dead by God freeing him from the agony of death, thus giving him dominion and authority over death. (24)

THAT’s IT!!!  There is your answer as to why Jesus must rise from the dead.

1. His death and sacrifice as the perfect lamb was sufficient payment once and for all for sin.
   
   
2. His resurrection gave him power over the penalty of death itself. He now rules over death. 

1 Corinthians 15:55-57 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”^{[i] 56} The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

David’s prophecy in Psalm 16:8-11 (vs. 25-28) that Peter quotes:

The Ramifications of Jesus’ resurrection.

• No decay—Jesus was not broken down, rotting, or remain under the authority of the of a dead body. (27)
  
  
• His resurrection points to life now and into eternity. (28a)
  
  
• He gives us joy by his living presence as we journey that life. (28b)

How should we respond to the resurrection? Acts 2:37-38

1. Repent! Change your thinking, open your heart, and pursuing a new direction by faith.
   
   
2. Be baptized! Identify with and proclaim Jesus that He is your Lord and Savior.
   
   
3. Walk with Jesus by His Spirit.
   • His Spirit is his presence.
   • His Spirit guides us daily.
   • His Spirit provides the living hope and joy while we anticipate our own resurrection.

Pray

2 Timothy 1:9-10 “He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, ¹⁰ but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”