Resurrection Road pt 1

Title: Resurrection Road pt3

Text: Luke 24:1-9

D.T Remember his words

Introduction: (READ Luke 24:1-9

Luke 24:1–9 ESV

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.

This would have been a chaotic scene. The women would have been confused as to why Jesus was gone. They would frantically try to figure out what happened until suddenly there were angels among them causing them to fall on their face due to fear. However by the end of the encounter the women suddenly have clarity. They fully believed that Jesus had risen from the dead, and they went to the disciples and told them the good news that Jesus was alive! So what was responsible for the shift from chaos to clarity? What caused the women to go from being confused to confident?

Angels The obvious answer seems to be the angelic encounter. When an angel shows up and asks you “Why do seek the living among the dead? You’d probably ask yourself, you know what that’s a good question. Then when the angel proclaims “He is not here, he was risen!” You are probably going to believe him. Angels are often seen as authoritative figures, and rightfully so. However for the women at the tomb, the realization of Christ’s resurrection might have been a bit more internal.

Jesus' words Notice what the angel does when he speaks to the women. The angel urges the women to remember what Jesus told them. The angel basically says to them “Jesus said this was going to happen” He said he would be crucified, dead, and on the third day rise. This is a detail we cannot miss, the angles urged the women to turn their attention to their memory of Jesus' own words. Verse 8 is the key which holds this entire passage together. They remembered his words.

Illustration:. Have you ever looked at a picture of an optical illusion? The picture may seem clear, however it’s hiding something which may immediately clear. It’s rather obvious, however you can’t see the illusion. Eventually though, you see the illusion! You have a sudden rush of clarity, and you have an “I see it now moment.” Once you see the illusion, you cannot unsee it. What was once a seemingly illusion becomes as clear as day.

When the women at the tomb remembered the words of Jesus, I have no doubt they experienced a sudden rush of clarity. Many of the things he said suddenly made sense. It would be like seeing the hidden picture in the optical illusion. They would experience the “I see it now” moment. What was once beyond their sight was now as clear as day. Once they saw with clarity, it would be impossible for them to unsee what was once seemingly beyond their sight.

They understood what Jesus meant when he mentioned that he would have to suffer, but on the third day rise

They understood what Jesus meant when he spoke to the Pharisees “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

The women would no doubt remember a conversation Jesus had with Martha shortly before he raised Lazarus from the dead. In this conversation Jesus said to Martha (John 11:25-26

John 11:25–26 ESV

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

Prior to this moment, they no doubt believed that Jesus was speaking about his ability to raise people from the dead. However now they remembered his words with more clarity. When Jesus said “I am the resurrection”, he was talking about this moment, which the women have now seen with their own eyes. It was a truth which they could not unsee, and in their minds, there was only one way to respond. They had to tell people.

The women immediately went to the rest of Jesus' disciples and told them everything they had seen. Unfortunately most of the disciples viewed the account of the women as a tall tale. However one was willing to believe. The scriptures say Peter went to the tomb, he looked in and saw the empty tomb. Peter believed what he had seen. The passage mentions Peter marveled at what happened. Peter seems to have remembered the words of Jesus, and he had clarity and understanding. Jesus was alive!

The way we should respond to this: Remember his words.

Perhaps have walked into the building exhausted from the toll that life takes.Jesus says in John Matthew 11:28-30

Matthew 11:28–30 ESV

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Remember his words. Surrender yourself to Christ, and may begin to see you find rest.

Perhaps you have walked into this building searching for answers. Jesus says this in John 10:10

John 10:10 ESV

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Remember his words. Take Jesus up on his offer. If you surrender your lives to Christ I firmly believe you will find Chirst giving you purpose, clarity, and hope. You will have an abundant life.

Perhaps you’ve walked into the building with a heavy heart. You’ve lost people you loved more deeply than we may ever know. Jesus mentions in John 11:25-26

John 11:25–26 ESV

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

Remember his words. We have a promise, we have a hope. The pain and troubles of this world will affect us. Jesus promises as much. However for those who believe in Christ, we know they will live again. We like Jesus will rise from the dead, dry bones given new life! Remember his words.

When the women at the tomb remembered the words of Jesus, they were compelled to spread the good news.Why would we not respond in kind? Many of the disciples didn’t believe the women’s story. It seemed like an idle tale. However one did believe, and he ended up being pretty important. Sometimes we’ll encounter those who believe the story of Christ to be an idle tale. However, we just might find the one whom we may influence, and we may never know the depth of their influence.

Perhaps you’ve not even made the choice to give your life to Christ, I urge you to remember his words today and accept Christ as savior. Perhaps you feel like you HAVEN’T done well at remembering the words of Jesus. Make the choice to be intentional about remembering the words of Jesus today. For everyone else, let no one forget the lesson the women at the tomb of Jesus teach us. Let us remember his words.