Redirection from Resurrection

Luke 24:1–8 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,

Easter Sunday

He is risen!

Today, we celebrate Easter (or Resurrection) Sunday to remember the victory of our Lord Jesus Christ — He defeated death! The people witnessed and observed the blood shed on the cross, they saw the spear going through His stomach, and they heard Him speak the final words before taking His last breath.

And yet, on the third day, as prophesied and promised, He rose again — The tomb was rolled away, His cloth neatly folded, and He was no longer inside.

Some have speculated that His disciples secretly stole the body to make it seem like the promises are true, but His resurrection was a surprise to the disciples.

Other have speculated that the followers of Jesus paid off roman soldiers who had access to get rid of the body, but this was highly unlikely.

Then there are even those who thinks this was a conspiracy — Saying Jesus’ body was never laid there to begin with. Needless to say, there are many hypothesis of what happened, but nothing that holds water.

Nevertheless, our most reliable source that we have, eye witnesses and their record in writing proves that Jesus rose from the dead. He then was met with His disciples, He spoke to them, ate with them, and walked with them. And it’s said that there were 500 people who witnessed Jesus other than the disciples.

What more do we need? Jesus is alive!

Inspired by Thabiti Anyabwile

Each year, it’s a challenge to plan and prepare for Easter Sunday. I’m wrestling with the question, “What can I say that our congregation have not yet heard?”

Well, this week, I stumbled upon a 11 year old article by Thabiti Anyabwile (a pastor and author) who took an interesting approach to understand the resurrection story.

Typically, we hear about Jesus’ victory, or preachers making a case for the resurrection, or prophesies fulfilled and what it all means for us today.

However, Anyabwile looked at the women who came to the tomb and realized that they weren’t extras in a scene, they weren’t a side note, but they were important part to Jesus’ resurrection.

So, borrowing a bit from his article, today, I want us to learn the following lesson: the resurrection teaches redirection.

It redirects us from death to life.

It redirects us from feelings to scripture.

It redirects us from sorrow to joy.

The Story of These Women

But before we talk about it, we have to first investigate this — Who are these women that came to the tomb early dawn?

And this is important to note because these women have names and they have stories.

Joanna — First to discover the empty tomb, she’s a follower of Jesus who helped His ministry financially (Lk 8:3).

Mary Magdalene — A Galilean woman whom Jesus delivered seven demons out from her. While Joanna was the first to see the empty tomb, Mary Magdalene was the first to see Jesus alive.

Mary the Mother of Jesus — We all know who she is, but it’s worth noting that she’s always there for her son; by His side at during the execution, burial, and resurrection.

Mary the Mother of James (the apostle)

Mary the wife of Clopas

Salome the Mother of James and John (of Zebedee)

Three Days of Mourning

Let’s put all this into perspective — Now, I hate to compare and contrast, but it’s true that these women were by Jesus’ side from start to finish while His own disciples ran away or hid.

So consider what they went through. On Friday, they suffered through a traumatic stress of witnessing their Savior be arrested, beaten, humiliated, nailed, and die on the cross.

And scripture tells us that on the next day, Saturday, was Sabbath and therefore they rested. Can you imagine that?!… An entire day was spent doing nothing; likely replaying the scene of their Savior on the cross over and over again.

So, real early the next day, with heavy hearts, they bring the spices and perfume that was prepared, ready to embalm Jesus, but they found the stone rolled away and tomb empty.

Instead, they are met with two men in dazzling apparel. And they begin a conversation with this question, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?”

It’s these words that changes the direction and trajectory of their lives. And if we look closely, we’ll find that it can change our lives too.

So let me interject here and say this — On this Easter Sunday, I want it to be known clearly; the resurrection, when understood, can truly change and transform your life.

It’s my hope and prayer that you listen from this point forward not with passively but actively. Lean in and wrestle with the thoughts of how this is applicable to you.

From Death to Life

Luke 24:6 ESV

He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee,

The resurrection redirects from death to life.

The women came to see a dead Jesus. What else are they to think as they are only few days removed from witnessing Him die on the cross?

And here’s the reality of experiencing death of a loved one — A part of you dies with them.

When someone you’ve created memories with passes away, those memories begin to feel different. It’s not that the memories aren’t real or it’s as if it never happened, but not having the person whom you’ve created such connection with, it’s as if that connection is severed; therefore, your memories feel empty.

I imagine that these women not only came expecting to see a dead Jesus, but they came feeling empty inside. In a way, they felt dead too.

But these two men redirects the women to a living Christ. They said, “He is not here, but has risen.”

Understand this — These words are like a defibrillator to their heart. Those words sent an electric pulse and shock right to their emptiness and filled them up. It gave them life. It restored them.

Hope is Jesus and Jesus is Hope

I used to visit Vegas two-three times a year 10 years ago (part of a leadership committee). And that is where I found the meaning of “alive but dead” true.

I witnessed people walking in the daylight, drink in their hands, totally intoxicated. Or I’d see soulless bodies in the casinos barely blinking — It felt like a different world.

The pastor there said to me he prays for Ezekiel 37 every day. Do you know what that passage is? The valley of dry bones — It’s where the God tells Ezekiel to prophesy over the dry bones to come alive.

If you’ve lived this long, you must know what it’s like to be alive, but feel dead inside. But hear me, resurrection is the very thing that can redirect your life and here’s why — Jesus coming back is hope.

Hope is all we need to be restored, revived, or renewed. Hope is Jesus and Jesus is hope.

And that’s what these ladies acquired that morning. They went to go see a dead man, but saw His absence; that was their hope. It’s our hope.

From Feeling to Scripture

Luke 24:6–7 ESV

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.”

2. The resurrection redirects from feeling to scripture.

Imagine for a moment what the women must’ve been going through as they walked toward the tomb — Can words like sadness, sorrow, broken heartedness do justice?… I think not.

Now, hear me, there’s nothing wrong with emotions/feelings. Emotions are designed by God for us to experience life fully — It’s appropriate for us to be sad at a funeral, joyful at a wedding, nervous and scared during pregnancy and labor, thankful when rescued, honored when praised, and so on.

However, the two men redirects this emotions of the women and points them toward scripture saying, “Remember how he told you...”

For me, I feel a sense of urgency in these two men speaking to the women.

Before their feelings get too deep or out of control, these men put a stop quickly and redirects them to what they need to focus on — His Word, His words.

We are Ever-Changing, but God is Everlasting

I think this is a priceless lesson for us as Christians.

I learned this lesson a very painful way — Years (a decade) ago, I had a family-like community. Large group of people in this community looked up to me, a small group of colleagues respected me, and the leader of this community treated me like his own (When I think back, it paralleled the story of Joseph in OT).

I was in bliss. I loved everyone and felt loved by everyone.

Then mistakes were made. Small one here, big one there. Some by me, some by others. Jealousy crept in, gossip began, rumours spread, and things changed fast.

Next thing I know, I was ostracized, I was blamed, and eventually exiled.

And it was through an experience like this that I learned this priceless lesson:

We are ever-changing, but God is everlasting. Do you understand these words? It means that we are driven by feelings and emotions that are fleeting, but God is immutable. He is unchanging. He is fixed.

Therefore, with absolute confidence I can say God is reliable and we are not.

And I am certain this is why the two men redirected the women to Jesus’ words. His words remained faithful and true. Jesus said He will rise again, and He did. Jesus said all this will take place.

When you find yourself in an uncontrollable life cycle, I would suggest getting out from your feelings and dive into scripture. Remember that we are ever-changing, but He is everlasting.

From Sorrow to Joy

3. The resurrection redirects from sorrow to joy.

This is going to sound like a broken record as you’ve heard this before, so I’ll keep it short and sweet.

Luke 24:8 ESV

And they remembered his words,

From this moment forward, read through each of the gospels and you’ll find a shift taking place (180 degree turn about).

The gloomy dark cloud that was over each of the followers, but those who hear that Jesus is no longer in the tomb and are reminded of what Jesus said might have come true — joy takes full capacity.

I liken it to an experience I had as a child.

My family didn’t take many vacations, but I remember the one time we went to Niagara Falls. And can I tell you, even as a kid in 4th or 5th grade, it was breathtaking. I was mesmerized by the sight.

I remember the longer drive. Going through the border, the security, the traffic, I was getting antsy.

But what shocked me was when the visual of looking out the window and seeing the typical canvas of cars, trees, and few buildings and I look away for a second and I hear my parents say, “Here we are!” Then I see the enormous water fall.

That shift is what I imagine the women felt when they “remembered His words.”

It was a redirection from death to life, from feelings to scripture, and from sorrow to overwhelming joy.