Resurrection of the Lord

From Darkness to Light: The Hope of Easter

Bible Passage: Isaiah 65:17–25, Psalm 118:14–24, 1 Corinthians 15:19–26, Luke 24:1–12

Today, we celebrate the joyous occasion of Easter Sunday. It's a time filled with the laughter of children hunting for brightly colored Easter eggs, families coming together to share meals and create lasting memories, and most importantly, a time to reflect on the profound significance of the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

As we delve into today's scripture readings let us remember the miraculous event that forms the cornerstone of our faith—the Resurrection. On that first Easter morning, as the women approached the tomb with spices to honor Jesus' body, they were met with an incredible sight. The stone had been rolled away, and an angel proclaimed the glorious news: "He is not here; he has risen!"

Easter means hope prevails over despair. Jesus reigns as Lord of Lords and King of Kings … Easter says to us that despite everything to the contrary, his will for us will prevail, love will prevail over hate, justice over injustice and oppression, peace over exploitation and bitterness.

Desmond Mpilo Tutu (Archbishop of Cape Town)

Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus, promising a new creation and hope for eternal life. It marks the transition from despair to joy, highlighting God's ultimate victory over death and sin.

Easter provides us with an opportunity for renewal and hope in the face of life's challenges and uncertainties. By focusing on the resurrection, we embrace our identity in Christ and the resurrection power in our daily lives, impacting our struggles with sin, fear, and hopelessness.

Easter is not just an historical event but a transformative reality that redefines our lives. It emphasizes the implications of the resurrection for present hope and future assurance, leading to a life of joy and purpose.

Throughout Scripture, Christ is the fulfillment of the promises of God, leading to the restoration of creation, as foretold in Isaiah. His resurrection is the cornerstone of our faith, assuring us that death is not the end, and all things will be made new in Him.

Big Idea: The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of our hope, transforming our present struggles and assuring us of eternal life and renewal in a new creation.

1. Promise of Newness

Isaiah 65:17–19 NIV

“See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy. I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more.

God promises a new heaven and a new earth, emphasizing the theme of renewal in the resurrection. This prophecy connects to the hope brought by Jesus's resurrection, and how this hope transforms our present struggles into future joy. We are invited to live in expectation of this promised renewal, facing current challenges with faith in God's grand design.

2. Peaceful Purpose

Isaiah 65:20–25 NIV

“Never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years; the one who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere child; the one who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed. They will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit. No longer will they build houses and others live in them, or plant and others eat. For as the days of a tree, so will be the days of my people; my chosen ones will long enjoy the work of their hands. They will not labor in vain, nor will they bear children doomed to misfortune; for they will be a people blessed by the Lord, they and their descendants with them. Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear. The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, and dust will be the serpent’s food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain,” says the Lord.

The descriptions of peace, longevity, and joy represent God's ultimate plan for creation—fulfilled through Christ's resurrection. This moves from abstract hope to concrete reality and encourages us to trust in God's faithfulness. These verses offer a reassuring vision that drives home the sermon’s big idea of life transformation with Christ at the center.

3. Proclamation of Victory

Psalm 118:14–18 NIV

The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: “The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things! The Lord’s right hand is lifted high; the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!” I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done. The Lord has chastened me severely, but he has not given me over to death.

The psalmist’s personal deliverance parallels Jesus's victory over death. This passage shows us how God's hand works in salvation history and how Christ's resurrection assures us victory in daily struggles.

4. Pathway to Rejoicing

Psalm 118:19–24 NIV

Open for me the gates of the righteous; I will enter and give thanks to the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord through which the righteous may enter. I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation. The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.

Opening the gates of righteousness symbolizes entering into the new life Jesus offers through His resurrection. Individual celebration along with communal worship allows us to rejoice collectively in Jesus's triumph.

5. Power of Resurrection

1 Corinthians 15:19–22 NIV

If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

Paul's assertion is that if our hope isn’t rooted in the resurrection, it's futile. This grounds Easter as the cornerstone of Christian faith and insists that our struggles aren’t in vain but lead to triumph with Christ.

6. Promise of Completion

1 Corinthians 15:23–26 NIV

But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

The finality and completeness of Christ's victory over death, is foreshadowed by His resurrection. This is the ultimate assurance of eternal life and the new creation. We can find strength and purpose in this assurance, as it informs and motivates our response to the fleeting and challenging realities of earthly life.

7. Pathway to Discovery

Luke 24:1–8 NIV

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” Then they remembered his words.

Reflect on the women's initial confusion and subsequent revelation at the empty tomb. This transition from bewilderment to belief parallels the transformative power Easter holds for us. We can move from places of doubt and fear to strong faith in promises, as evidenced by the resurrection, leading to transformed living that overcomes darkness.

8. Personal Encounter

Luke 24:9–12 NIV

When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.

The disciples received the women's testimony with doubt, yet Peter's encounter with the empty tomb began a journey to faith. This point underscores the necessity of personal experience in understanding the resurrection truth. Inspire believers to seek personal encounters with the risen Christ, reinforcing that Easter invites all to a living faith in a powerful Savior.

Allow me to share a small story that intertwines the joy of Easter traditions with the true meaning of this holy day.

Once upon a time, there was a family deeply ingrained in their Easter traditions. Every year, they hosted a grand Easter egg hunt in their backyard, inviting neighbors and friends to join in the fun. The children, with baskets in hand, eagerly searched for hidden treasures, their laughter echoing through the air. After the hunt, everyone gathered around a long table adorned with festive decorations, sharing a meal full of love and gratitude.

This particular Easter, as they sat down to feast, the parents decided to share the story of the Resurrection with their children. They opened the Bible to Luke 24:1-12 and read about the women discovering the empty tomb. The children's eyes widened with wonder as they heard about the angel's message and the incredible joy that filled the hearts of Jesus' followers. The family discussed how the Resurrection symbolizes hope, renewal, and the promise of eternal life.

As the day drew to a close, the family reflected on how their Easter traditions—egg hunts, family gatherings, and festive meals—were beautiful expressions of the joy and unity that the Resurrection brings to all believers. They realized that while these activities were delightful, the true essence of Easter lay in celebrating Jesus' victory over death and the hope it brings to humanity.

Today, as we partake in our own Easter celebrations, let us keep the Resurrection at the heart of our festivities. May we remember the profound love and sacrifice of Jesus and embrace the hope and renewal that His Resurrection offers to us all. Let us rejoice together, for He is risen indeed.