Resurrection of the Lord - Easter

Not just a hunt for eggs…it’s a hunt for deeper understanding

Today, we celebrate Easter. Easter is relevant to us all today not just as an historical event, but as a living reality that continues to shape and transform lives. Easter goes beyond the hunting of hidden Easter eggs. It provides us an opportunity to hunt for the true message found in the Easter story. This message is found in four distinct movements: Desire, Dilemma, Delight, and Demand. The resurrection of Jesus is relevant for us today because it is not just a historical event but a living reality that continues to shape and transform lives. It offers hope, redemption, and the promise of new beginnings, inviting us to encounter the risen Christ and experience the power of his resurrection in our lives here and now.

So what are these four “D”s?

Desires: Our desires often reflect our longing for something beyond the mundane, something transcendent. The resurrection of Jesus embodies the ultimate desire for life beyond death, for redemption, and for the fulfillment of promises. It speaks to the human desire for hope, transformation, and eternal life.

Dilemmas: The resurrection presents dilemmas about the nature of reality, faith, and existence. It challenges our understanding of what is possible and forces us to confront our doubts and uncertainties. The resurrection story is filled with dilemmas faced by the disciples and followers of Jesus, which mirror our own struggles with belief and disbelief.

Delights: The resurrection brings joy and delight, especially to those who believe in its significance. It represents victory over death, the triumph of good over evil, and the promise of new beginnings. The delight of Easter morning reflects the profound joy that comes from encountering the risen Christ and experiencing the power of resurrection in our lives.

Demands: The resurrection demands a response from us. It calls us to faith, repentance, and discipleship. It challenges us to live in the light of eternity, to embody the values of the kingdom of God, and to bear witness to the transformative power of Christ's resurrection in our lives and in the world.

By reflecting on our personal desires, dilemmas, delights, and demands, we can deepen our understanding of the resurrection of Jesus and its significance for our lives. It invites us to engage with the story of Easter in a way that is both intellectually and emotionally meaningful, shaping our beliefs, values, and actions in profound ways.

Let us delve into each of these aspects and uncover the profound truths they hold for us today.

A. Desire

Mark 16:1–2 “1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb”

In the dim light of dawn, we encounter the profound desire of the women who sought to be with Christ. Their hearts were filled with longing, their souls yearning for the presence of their beloved Lord. As we ponder their eagerness to visit the tomb, we are compelled to ask: where were the men? Let us reflect on the fervent desire that drives us to seek Christ, to draw near to Him with eager hearts, regardless of the obstacles that may stand in our way.

B. Dilemma

Mark 16:3–4 “3 and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away.”

As the women approached the tomb, they encountered a formidable dilemma—a large stone blocking the entrance. Yet, when they arrived, they found the stone had been rolled away. Why was this stone removed? Christ, in His resurrection power, could have emerged from the tomb regardless. The rolling away of the stone was not for His sake but for ours—to reveal the empty tomb and invite us to behold the miraculous work of God. In our own lives, we may face seemingly insurmountable obstacles, but let us remember that God specializes in rolling away stones and making a way where there seems to be no way.

C. Delight

Mark 16:5–6 “5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. 6 “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.”

At the entrance of the tomb, the women encountered an angel dressed in white, bearing a message of unparalleled joy: "He is risen! Do not be afraid." In this moment of delight, the truth of Christ's resurrection is proclaimed, dispelling all fear and doubt. As we contemplate this message of victory over death, let our hearts be filled with the delight of knowing that our Savior lives, and He has conquered sin and death once and for all.

D. Demand

Mark 16:7–8 “7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’ ” 8 Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.”

Finally, the women receive a solemn demand from the angel: "Go, tell the disciples and Peter." Without hesitation, they obeyed, carrying the message of resurrection hope to the disciples. Their response is a testament to their unwavering faith and commitment to proclaiming the good news. Likewise, we are called to respond to the demand of the Easter message—to go forth and share the gospel with boldness and conviction, leaving no room for doubt or hesitation.

Today’s reading recounts the discovery of Jesus' empty tomb by Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome. It describes their encounter with a young man dressed in white who tells them that Jesus has risen from the dead and instructs them to go and tell the disciples. The passage ends with the women fleeing from the tomb in fear and amazement, saying nothing to anyone. This passage provides several insights into what the resurrection means for us today:

Confirmation of Jesus' Identity: The resurrection confirms Jesus' identity as the Son of God and validates his claims about his own divinity and mission. It affirms that Jesus is not merely a great teacher or prophet but the Messiah and Savior of the world.

Victory Over Death: The resurrection demonstrates Jesus' victory over sin and death. It assures us that death is not the end but a gateway to eternal life for those who believe in him. This gives us hope in the face of mortality and reassurance that death has been conquered.

Transformation and Renewal: The empty tomb symbolizes the power of God to transform and renew. It signifies the beginning of a new era, where brokenness is healed, and restoration is possible. The resurrection invites us into a life of spiritual renewal and transformation, where we can experience the power of God's grace to change our lives.

Mission and Witness: The women's encounter with the risen Jesus and their commission to go and tell the disciples emphasize the importance of mission and witness. The resurrection calls us to be bearers of the good news, to share the message of hope and salvation with others, and to testify to the reality of Jesus' resurrection in our lives.

Faith and Response: The women's initial reaction of fear and amazement highlights the human response to the resurrection. It challenges us to examine our own faith and response to the reality of Jesus' resurrection. Are we willing to believe and proclaim the truth of the resurrection, even in the face of doubt and disbelief? On this Easter Sunday, may we be inspired by the examples of desire, dilemma, delight, and demand found in the scriptures. Let us embrace the fervent desire to be with Christ, trust in God's power to overcome every dilemma, rejoice in the delight of His resurrection, and faithfully respond to the demand to share the good news with the world. This Easter, may our hearts be filled with the hope and joy of the risen Christ, now and forevermore.

Call to Worship (based on John 20:1-18)

Leader: Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

People: On this glorious Easter morning, we gather to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, our Savior and Lord.

Leader: As Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early in the morning and found the stone rolled away,

People: So we come, seeking the Living One, who has overcome death and the grave.

Leader: Though she wept with grief, Jesus called her by name, turning her sorrow into joy.

People: In our worship, let us listen for the voice of the Risen Christ, calling us into new life and hope.

Leader: Jesus said to her, "Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father."

People: We rejoice in His presence among us, even as we await the fullness of His kingdom.

Leader: Christ has risen, just as He said! Let us worship God with joy, for death has been swallowed up in victory!

People: Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

All: Alleluia! Let us worship the Risen Christ, whose love and power know no end. Amen.

Opening Prayer (based on 1 Corinthians 15:1-11)

Let us pray,

Gracious and Almighty God, on this Resurrection Sunday, we come before You with hearts brimming with joy and gratitude, celebrating the victory of Your Son, Jesus Christ, over death. As the Apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 15, it is the good news of Jesus’ death for our sins, His burial, and His resurrection on the third day, according to the Scriptures, that stands as the cornerstone of our faith.

Lord, we are humbled by the depth of Your love and the power of Your grace that brought Jesus from death to life, ensuring our own resurrection and eternal life in Him. You have fulfilled Your Word and demonstrated Your faithfulness through the ages, from the witnesses who first saw the risen Lord to all of us gathered here today, united in the joy of His resurrection.

As we proclaim with Paul that Your grace towards us has not been in vain, may we, too, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in Your work, knowing that in the Lord, our labor is not in vain. Empower us by Your Spirit to bear witness to the resurrection of Jesus, living as people of hope, transformed by the reality of the empty tomb.

On this glorious day, help us to grasp the magnitude of what it means to say, “Christ has risen indeed!” May this truth renew our minds, inspire our hearts, and guide our actions. Let the joy of Easter not just be a momentary celebration but a lasting reality in our lives, shaping us to be bearers of Your light and love in a world that so desperately needs the hope of the risen Christ.

In the power of Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.