Sonrise Service devo
Notes
Transcript
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
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.
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.
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.’ ”
We read these narratives, and we gather to celebrate our Risen Savior, Amen?
BUT…
That is not the Easter story!
The Easter story begins much, much earlier…
— At The Triumphant entry — Luke tells us that as Jesus was headed towards Jerusalem, He tells 2 of His disciples: Luke 19:30-31
30 “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here.
31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’ ”
— Meanwhile, the others are celebrating and praising God, proclaiming Luke 19:38
38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
— Pharisees that are with Him tell Him to make them stop, but Jesus tells them:
40 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
— There was so much JOY in that moment!
— only a few days later, Jesus celebrates Passover w/His disciples — This was not a solemn event! It was a meal with family, filled with Joy & laughter as they celebrated god’s work together…
BUT…
— that Joy turned to sorrow as they witnessed Jesus’s arrest, trial, crucifixion, and burial…
— That Friday seemed so gloomy, so gut-wrenching, so full of despair, BUT….
Sunday is here!!!!
— And the angels proclaim: “He is Risen!”
Why is that proclamation so important?
Why do we stand on it year after year?
Because, in that act… in that empty tomb… Christ proved His identity!!!
— Luke 19:44, as Jesus looks over the city of Jerusalem, and weeps over the people — as He proclaims the truth of what will happen to them, He states that it is all “because they did not recognize (now listen) the time of God’s coming to them!”
Easter is not about Jesus, It’s about us!!!
It’s about a God who loves His creation so much that He willingly stepped out of His Throne room, entered into this world, and gave His life for us!
Out of the shadow of death and the grave,
Jesus our Saviour hath come,
Bright in His glory, and mighty to save,
Free from the taint of the tomb!
Robes of humanity, sanctified so,
Worn in His pitying love.
Drop all their weight of earth-weakness and woe,
Jesus ascendeth above.
Victory! Victory! won for us all!
Let the glad tidings resound;
Jesus is risen! His trumpet shall call.
Life and salvation are found.
— — excerpt from The Victory by Jennie Harrison