The Resurrection of Our Lord, Easter Day (2025)

Mark 16:1-8

Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia. May we sing Loud Alleluias to celebrate and rejoice in the victory of Jesus Christ our Lord over the powers of sin, death, and the devil For he has triumphed where no other man was able, and now we have the hope of eternal life which has been secured not only by the death of Christ, and is tied to His eternal life. For of his Kingdom there is no end and for that reason we rejoice on this day that Christ is Risen! He Is Risen Indeed Alleluia.

What a wonderful day my Brothers and sisters in Christ as we get to come together and rejoice in Jesus’ resurrection. For it was not enough that Christ suffered for us, and died for us, Jesus also rose for us on Easter morning and it brings a measure of inexplicable joy and comfort to the Christian heart. Quite often we focus just on His resurrection and think of how Jesus in power and might snapped the chains of death and walked free from the gates of hell as our Victory, but there is something more that is meant to be a comfort for you.

On Good Friday, what did Jesus carry upon His shoulders? What weighed him down to the point of death? It was the sins of mankind, your sins, and my sins, the sins of all the world and Jesus took them upon Himself that they might be brought before God and judged and the judgment was an awful sight, and before he bowed his head and gave up his spirit, Christ’s speak comfort to us, when He said “it is finished,” the debt is paid, the punishment that has been laid upon Him was satisfied, but then he was laid in the grave.

A day filled with sorrow even though we ahve some measure of hope, but there would be still be doubts, was it enough, did Jesus really satisfy the demands of the law, for if he did, if he died as all sinners died, then maybe we aren’t really out of danger? Perhaps it wasn’t enough and judgment still awaits us. How do we know? But this is why the resurrection is so important for our comfort.

CFW Walther used this parable to explain it there was a city whose citizens rebelled against their king, and the king gathered his army and surrounded the city and planned to destroy it, so the citizens seeing that the wrath of the king would destory the whole city were concerned about the king’s wrath. So a messenger went on behalf of the citizens to ask for the king to show mercy, and then we found that the messenger had been thrown in jail. What would the citizens think? Well if that is what happened to the messenger then there isno hope for us, no redemption, no mercy, no grace, no forgiveness. We would have every reason to despair. But what if they then saw that messenger approaching the gates wrapped in fine clothes, carrying gifts from teh king and riding upon the royal horse bearing a banner of peace? Then there would be great joy and hope throughout the city.

If Jesus had stayed in his grave, if our messenger remained buried in the earth, then it would appear that the pleas for mercy fell on deaf ears. For if the wrath of God buried Christ in the grave who carried your sin, then what would happen to us? For Jesus on the Cross is your substitute, he stands in your place, and His fate is your fate. For what Christ suffered he didn’t suffer for himself, but for you. So when Jesus rose again, He didn’t just rise for himself, but for you, for your comfort, for your hope, and for your joy. So that you might see in Him there truly is forgiveness for sin.

That is what Christ wants each of us to have, that He why died and rose again to assure us of the forgiveness of sins. Now what are these gifts that Christ brings to us from heaven, and why are they needed? Well God gave them to us that we might be saved. They are called teh means of grace, for they are the method by which God gives to us the assurance of forgiveness and connects with Christ. The primary gift is the Word.

It is the most important thing for God does want to deal with us apart from His Word, and that is why every Sunday we study the word, we read the Word, we hear the message of Salvation proclaimed from teh Word. For the Spirit works upon us through the Word. No matter how young or old we are, all are welcomed to hear the word.

The second is Holy Baptism where the Word is joined with water for our salvation. There it unites us with not just the death, but also the resurrection of Jesus, so that our baptism becomes a comfort to us for all our life. For if any should wonder did God die and rise for me, then you can say, for on the day that I was baptized by the water and the Word God united me with Jesus on Easter weekend, and just as Christ died and rose so too shall I. For He has washed away my sins.

Then the final means of grace is the Lord’s Supper. Where Jesus gives to us of that which was sacrificed and brought before the throne of God that we might receive it. But we must be prepared to receive it safely for whoever takes it wrongly takes it to their own judgment and damnation, that’s why we examine and catechize, and why as adults, we must not be living in or planning to continue in any sins, and why we also have to share in the same confession which is why we ask folks to wait. But when it’s taken properly it brings blessings, and that is how Christ wants it to be received, not for harm, but to bring forgiveness healing and restoration.

But what sits behind all of these things is faith, which holds on to God’s Word, not just in part, but in whole. For without the Law, and without knowing what sin is, we would be blissfully ignorant and think that we have no need of Jesus and his gifts, but it is through the Law that we realize the dire trouble we are in, and it opens the door for the hope of the Gospel, that we might see the love that Jesus has for us, and what He was willing to endure. Faith also cling to our Savior and the promise that He has given. Let us not cast aside either one.

This is the message that it has been our joy to share with people throughout the ages, the message that has been shared with you, and will continue to be shared until the day that Christ returns in power and glory. For Christ’s death and resurrection is meant for all, to free them from the powers of sin, death, and the devil.

My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, it is my hope that you go out and tell others the good news. For that is what these women did who found that Christ is Risen!, He is Risen Indeed Alleluia. For how can we keep to ourselves the fact that Jesus who is the Christ has redeemed us from our sins, and that the Father rose Him for our comfort and the assurance of our salvation. So that we might boldly and joyful tell all people. Jesus has overcome the powers of sin, death, and the devil that you may belong to His Kingdom. In jesus name. Amen.