Easter Sunday
Intro:
A three-year ministry of a 30-year-old man, now 33 years old.
A man who had boldly and clearly called himself God. Who had healed many from horrible diseases and afflictions and had brought some even back from death
This man was crucified. Murdered. Abused. For one reason only. That sin, and all of its ugliness could be put to death once and for all
Sin kills. Sometimes quickly..sometimes over years. But make no mistake. It kills. Jesus saves. He offers life to the desperate, and hope to those who have none left.
The stories of redemption are beyond number and they continue to climb as time marches on. Maybe your story is next to be added to the list.
Here is the scene: Jesus has been dead since Friday. It’s Sunday morning after the Sabbath which is for the Jewish people on Saturday. They counted their first day of the week Sunday.
Luke 24:1-8 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared.
It’s Sunday, the jewish first day of the week
Who are they? Mary Magdelene, Joanna, Mary mother of James and John (sons of thunder)
Just a week ago, they had all come into Jerusalem with Jesus and He had been treated like a King
He had cleared the temple, taught the people, rebuked the pharisees, been betrayed by one of his own disciples, been arrested, beaten, and hung on a cross, the worst of punishments reserved only for criminals
They came to the tomb knowing that Jesus was dead.
This amazing time they had had with Jesus was done.
2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3 They went in but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
They go depressed, saddened, and defeated
What they came upon was not even comprehensible
The grave was empty!
The tomb was a cave. You could walk in it.
If you had a loved one buried in a place like this and went to see them, and it was open, you would go in and investigate it as well
4 While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothes. 5 So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground. “Why are you looking for the living among the dead?” asked the men.
They go in and behind them walks two men in dazzling clothes
They bow to the ground out of respect and fear, not worship. Angels don’t allow themselves to be worshipped.
Then they ask a question they didn’t expect:
6 “He is not here, but He has been resurrected! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, 7 saying, ‘The Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day’ ?”
Jesus was gone
Jesus had been brought back from the dead
Jesus was fulfilling not only prophecy from the OT, but His own personal prophecy that He would be raised from the dead
Yet, the disciples did not understand Him. Yet.
8 And they remembered His words.
They believed.
Ever had that moment when you realize what really happened in an event in your life?
John 2:22 So when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this. And they believed the Scripture and the statement Jesus had made.
Today, you can believe that Jesus died for your sin
That He lives today and prays for you to the Father
He desires to have a relationship with you.
He chooses to do this regardless of your sin state.