The Resurrection of Our Lord, Easter Sunrise

BECAUSE HE LIVES WE HAVE A WHOLE NEW IDENTITY!

Introduction

Setting the Scene: I can only image the thoughts going through the minds of the women as they walked to the tomb during the darkness before dawn on that Sunday morning. Their hearts had to be heavy with grief. I wonder if they got any sleep. They were on their way to finish the burial process of their friend who was executed the Friday before. Now that the Sabbath has ended for the week they were free to get up early and finish the task before breakfast, then move on with life. I wonder what was going through Mary Magdalene’s mind?

Perception of Defeat: She obviously loved Jesus, but I wonder if she felt foolish for thinking he could be the One, the Messiah? Now His mission is over. Did she feel defeated? In their mind, I wonder if they thought they were feeble followers of a failure? But Mary had never felt love and acceptance from anyone like she had from Jesus. But now He’s gone. They killed him.

Yet the truth is they were disciples of the one who had conquered sin and defeated death. So, she arrives at the tomb, and finds the stone had been rolled away from an empty tomb.

The Discovery of the Empty Tomb

John 20:1–10 “Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb, while it was still dark, and saw the stone already taken away from the tomb. So she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.” So Peter and the other disciple went forth, and they were going to the tomb. The two were running together; and the other disciple ran ahead faster than Peter and came to the tomb first; and stooping and looking in, he saw the linen wrappings lying there; but he did not go in. And so Simon Peter also came, following him, and entered the tomb; and he saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the face-cloth which had been on His head, not lying with the linen wrappings, but rolled up in a place by itself. So the other disciple who had first come to the tomb then also entered, and he saw and believed. For as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. So the disciples went away agin to their own homes.”

Mary runs back and found Peter and John and told them what she found. Did someone move Jesus’ body? There was concern that someone would rob the grave, so Pontius Pilate posted a guard at the tomb to discourage the behavior. Peter and John ran to the tomb and found it just as Mary said. And Peter being bold and a take-charge guy, just walked into the tomb. What in the world is going on? Where’s Jesus’ body? What’s really strange is they saw the linen wrappings they used to wrap the body — actually the embalming practice of the time was to mummify the body. And the cloth, like a handkerchief, that they placed over the face at the began to wrap the body, was folded up by itself in a different place than the strips of linens. Now the confusion is really mounting. I’m sure they paced back and forth, scratching their heads. It’s still early and they are trying to figure out what happened. When John entered the tomb our text this morning says that “he saw and believed!” But it doesn’t appear he said anything; he failed to speak and confess. Like Thomas, John saw and believed. Remember what Jesus said to Thomas, “You believe because you see. Blessed are those who believe and do not see.” John sees and believes. He’s just like Thomas. It appears in their confusion of trying to figure out what it all meant, they had forgotten what Jesus told them very plainly and specifically. Luke 18:31-34, Jesus told them “all things that are written by the prophets concern the Son of man shall be accomplished.” Yet, they understood nothing. As John 20:9 in today’s text tells us, “They still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead.” Here we learn a lesson on the value of signs: They are only steppingstones to faith. The real basis of faith is “the Scripture,” revealed and inspired Word of God. On this basis faith is to rest. As St. Paul said in Romans 10:17 “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”

John and Peter returned home, evidently leaving Mary behind. We might think the pivotal moment in this text is the empty tomb. And that is critical, yes. For if Jesus had not risen from the dead we would still be in our sin, and would be the most pitiful people of all. In His resurrection Jesus had conquered sin and defeated death. So the resurrection is essential. But the pivotal moment in the text is when Mary personally encountered risen Christ. This was life altering for her, and for us as well.

Encounter with the Risen Christ

If Mary could just figure out where Jesus was, she could slow down and calm herself. It was the source of her tears. It was the subject of her complaint to the angels and her request to the stranger she thought was the gardener. She simply wanted to know where Jesus was. “Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away.”

Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (which means, Teacher).

What is significant about this personal encounter is Jesus’ care for each individual soul. Jesus called her by name, which means He knows you by name as well. We see the special care Jesus has for each and every soul in one word: “Mary.” This is why he went through what he did—so that we might be more than his servants. We are now ones he calls “my brothers and my sisters.” 

It is as simple as this. Because he lives, we have a whole new identity: not sinners, but redeemed saints; not rebels, but God’s chosen nation; not doomed, but saved; not only servants, but sons and daughters of God Almighty; not losers, but victorious, because Christ gives us the victory. The living Lord has given us a whole new identity. He has transformed our identity. It is all because of him. It is all because he lives.

Mary thought she had everything she ever wanted when she realized that Jesus was once again with her. She found out, however, that Easter provided her with even more—Jesus was returning to his Father where her life would forever be hidden, and thus safe, with him. As the representative for all mankind, his presence at God's right hand signaled that those who have faith in him are brothers and sisters to him and share a common Father with him (verse 17).

Conclusion

- Reiterate that because Jesus lives, we have a new identity.

- Encourage the congregation to live out this new reality daily, empowered by the resurrection.

- Encourage them to embrace their identity as victors and children of God.

Closing Prayer: Thank you Lord Jesus for our New Identity all because you live. Help us, by your Holy Spirit, to be bold witnesses of New Life you have earned for the world, so that all may know and be saved. We ask this in your holy name. Amen

Prayer of the Church

The Resurrection of Our Lord (Easter)

20 April 2025

Holy Lord, mighty God, You have borne the sin of the world and given to us the promise of new and everlasting life. Receive our thanks for the glorious resurrection of Jesus, the Christ. Bring us with Him to our own joyful resurrection and the reunion of all Your saints. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Heavenly Father, You have established the Church as the instrument of Your saving purpose and endowed us with the gift of Your Word and Sacrament. Embolden us with the Holy Spirit, that we may be renewed in witness, sustained in trial and refreshed through the Means of Grace. Bless those who bring Your gifts and preach Your Word. Give us willing ears to hear and willing hearts to keep this Easter faith. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Give peace, Lord, to our homes and enliven them by Christ’s resurrected life. Let the forgiveness of sins reign among husbands and wives, parents and children. Assure those who live alone that they, too, are Your children, upheld by Your right hand. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Bless all our elected officials. Frustrate the forces of evil, and do not let our leaders cooperate with them or further their goals. Guard our armed forces as they stand watch for us at home and abroad. Let them serve with honor and integrity. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Gracious Lord, Your healing and strength are the hope of all the weary and afflicted. According to Your gracious will, give to all the sick and those who suffer healing and relief. Grant them patience and hope until that day when they put on new and glorious bodies raised by Christ and receive the end of all afflictions. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Most Holy Father, this is the feast of victory, for the Lamb who was slain has begun His reign. By Your Spirit, prepare us to receive His body and blood for the strengthening of our faith in this mortal life. Build in us anticipation for the marriage supper of the Lamb, which we and all the people of God shall feast upon in His kingdom without end. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

O Lord, heavenly Father, You have not let Your Holy One see corruption, but have raised Him in triumph from the dead, never to die again. Therefore, our hearts are glad and we rejoice, for our flesh also dwells secure. Since You have set Him at Your right hand, lead us to set His resurrection before us at all times, that His path of life and the fullness of joy in His presence may be known to us, until we come also to the eternal pleasures at His right hand, forevermore; for You, O Father, with the Son and the Holy Spirit are one God, now and forever. Amen.