Don't be Spicy

Luke 24:1–7 NASB95

1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in dazzling clothing; 5 and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living One among the dead? 6 “He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, 7 saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.”

Luke 24:1 NASB95

1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared.

Jesus died on the cross. It was a painful and shameful form of execution.

The previous chapter informs us that some of his female followers from Galilee saw them lay Jesus in the tomb.

But because the Sabbath day was quickly approaching (a day in which it was forbidden for them to work), they did not have time to give Jesus a full and proper burial.

But now it’s early Sunday morning, and these ladies have returned to complete the job because they want to honor their master and teacher because he had been so good to them . . . . one of the ladies Jesus had even delivered from seven demons

And thus, they come to the graveyard, bringing burial spices for his body.

I said that it is Sunday, they have come to honor Jesus, and they have brought spices.

This truly describes many of us . . . it’s Sunday, we’ve come to honor Jesus, annnnnd . . . . . .we have brought spices.

What do you mean preacher?

well, it is Sunday! Sunday, April 9th, 2023

and many of you have come today to honor Jesus - because Jesus has been good to you

you remember how he saved your soul and made you whole

you remember that deliverance, that healing

you remember that time that he turned it around, late in the midnight hour

and so you have come to honor him

sing songs about Him

give something in the offering

maybe even lift your hands in praise

Sunday, honor Jesus, what about the spices? . . .let’s keep reading

Luke 24:2–4 NASB95

2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in dazzling clothing;

When they reach the tomb, the stone had been rolled away, and the body of Jesus is missing.

They are perplexed about this, wondering about this, confused about this when suddenly two angels appear in dazzling clothing

Luke 24:5 NASB95

5 and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living One among the dead?

in other words, “Why are you looking for the living Jesus Christ in a place for dead people?”

This question is presented to reveal what the women are really thinking

because the answer to “why do you seek the living One among the dead” is, we are NOT looking for a living Jesus

we are looking for a dead Jesus

we are looking for a Jesus who can’t do anything for us anymore

we are looking for a powerless Jesus

we are here not to honor a Jesus who is able, we are here to honor a Jesus who used to be able

and that’s why we have brought spices

the situation and circumstances of the past few days have forced us into the conclusion that we should bring spices

What you bring to a situation, is the indicator of what you truly expect/believe

Theses women brought burial spices because they expected Jesus to be dead

they brought spices because they expected to find a powerless Jesus

if they expected a risen savior, they might have brought a change of clothes, sandals, some food, some water . . . but instead they brought spices . . . . because of the circumstances, because of the situation

The main question I want you to consider is, “What are YOU bringing to your current situation?”

I know you are dealing with something, cause everyone is

and Whatever you are bringing to your situation, is evidence of what you truly expect/believe

have you brought spices?

have you brought worry spice - things are looking so bad that you say, “say why shouldn’t I worry”

And you have come this Sunday, out of respect to Jesus, but you are also ready to give your faith in Jesus a proper burial

some of us have brought give up spice today - cause what’s the use of trying/attempting . . . nothing will work

and though you’ve come to honor Jesus, you are also fully prepared to give your hope in Jesus a proper funeral

then there is stingy spice - you can’t see how God can get a blessing to you, so you hoard the little that you have,

and you are here out of respect for Jesus, but you are also fully prepared to give your trust in Jesus a proper burial

and some of us have brought immoral spice, you are tempted to DO something spicy because it seems that the straight and narrow ain’t working, and you’ve come to give “act right” and honorable burial

when you leave here, you already have plans to do wrong

or maybe you brought sad spice or mad at God spice

and just like these women, you can honor Jesus, while at the same time believe that he is powerless in your current situation

How does that happen?

Luke 24:6–7 NASB95

6 “He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, 7 saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.”

The angel had to remind them of Jesus’ words

We come with these spices because we don’t remember what Jesus said

we will honor Jesus, but forget his words - ain’t got nothing memorized or hidden in our hearts

we will honor Jesus, but don’t make his words real to us - we treat the Bible like a collection of inspirational stories, quotes, and poems insterad of the the instruction manual for life and eternity

we will honor Jesus, and not believe his words - because the world has a different opinion

or we will honor Jesus, and simply don’t even know his word

and when life comes at us hard, we respond by bringing spices because we think Jesus is powerless

we say, “I guess that christianity stuff is not applicable to today”

but let me pay my respects to Jesus and go on living my life

that’s one reason why they came early, they are planning to get on with their day

and even some people that come to church every Sunday, are coming just to they can pay their respects, and get on with their lives

But I encourage you to put away your burial spices: worry spice, give up spice, stingy spice, immoral spice, sad spice, mad spice, sneaky spice because Jesus is alive

Jesus still has power

He can do anything!

he is able to do more than you ask or think

you need to remember what he said, learn it, remember it, meditate on it

and when circumstances look bad, and the situation is grim, remember that The Word of God says

The Lord is the strength of my life

No weapon formed against you shall prosper

many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivereth

don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything

he knows what you need even before you ask him

he that keeps you will not slumber nor sleep, he is watching over you!

it’s Sunday, a weekly reminder that we serve a risen savior

and we are here to honor him, but not just for what he has done in the past

but for what he is doing right now!

and we don’t bring spices to bury him, we’ve come with praise, joy, hope, expectations, faith

WE’ve come with the best is yet to come, I ain’t giving up,

i don’t feel no ways tired

act right, do right, live right

because we serve a risen savior