What the Resurrection Has Done (Easter 2025)

1st Slide

Good morning!

He is Risen!

“He is Risen, indeed!” We’re going to do that a few times in the sermon. Watch out!

Easter is one of those holidays that tends to come with confusion—and for good reason. Why do we wear pastels? What’s with the eggs? And why do we eat ham? Well, the truth is a lot less scandalous than you might’ve heard.

First, the name Easter. The earliest Christians didn’t call it that. They celebrated Pascha—the Greek word for Passover—a time to remember the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Since the resurrection happened during Passover, the celebration always fell in the spring. In Old English, the month of April was called Eosturmonath, and over time, that local seasonal name simply blended into the holiday as Christianity spread to English-speaking regions.

So no—there were no ancient goddess rituals adopted into the holiday. In fact, Christians were strongly opposed to anything pagan.

What about the eggs? That one’s practical. Easter follows Lent—a season of fasting when people traditionally avoided meat and dairy, including eggs. Boiled eggs kept well, and by the end of Lent, people had plenty to give away or eat in celebration.

And bunnies? Well, no ancient religion worshipped rabbits. But they’re a classic sign of spring—like blooming flowers or green grass—so their presence in the season just stuck. They multiply quickly and show up right when everything else is waking up too.

So no conspiracy here—just a lot of history, a little language drift, and some natural springtime events.

The thing is—not only is Easter not a pagan or man-made holiday... it’s actually the Church’s earliest celebration. Before Christians formally celebrated Christmas or had church buildings or creeds, they gathered—year after year—to remember the resurrection of Jesus.

Early Christians were obsessed with the resurrection. After all, many of them had seen Jesus’ resurrection. He was very famously killed on a Roman Cross, and also very famously seen walking around three days later.

Peter and Paul in their public teaching in Acts focus on the resurrection as the main point of the Gospel message. After all, without the resurrection of Jesus, none of what He said, did, or even the reason He died would have been of any use at all.

We, as 21st century Christians focus heavily on Cross, which is good. I think all of us can answer this question “what has the Cross of Jesus done for you?”

I would hazard all of you have some answer to that question.

However we sometimes neglect the importance of the resurrection. A harder question for many of you to answer is this: “What has the Resurrection of Jesus done for you?”

SLIDES through verses

Luke 24:1–7 ESV

1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.”

5 minutes

Pray

Brief Overview

In Luke chapter 23, we get a full account of Jesus’ trial and execution. Here are some of the major points:

Early in the morning on Good Friday, Jesus is taken before Pilate.

SLIDE Luke 23:1–2 1 Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.”

Pilate wouldn’t care about religious arguments, so they make a case that Jesus threatens Roman rule. This isn’t enough for Pilate, but if legal techniques don’t work, yelling will.

SLIDE Luke 23:23–25 “23 But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. 25 He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will.”

According to the other Gospel accounts, Jesus was beaten. John writes: John 19:1 “1 Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him.”

SLIDE Luke 23:26 “26 And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus.”

Simon, from Cyrene (eastern Libya), an African, was forced to help Jesus.

Jesus, after correcting the following mourners, makes it Golgotha which is Aramaic for the place of the skull.

3 minutes

SLIDE 1. What the Cross has Done

A. The mocking Crowd

SLIDES Through verse

Luke 23:32–39 ESV

32 Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33 And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. 35 And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.” 39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!”

Luke writes this passage in a deeply sad manner. Oftentimes cruelty is made more obvious by it’s casual nature. It should always shock us when someone is killed, but often what makes it more obscene is when that task is performed like you would perform a chore. The Roman guards performing this humiliating murder are acting like it is a normal day. There are even large crowds who are not Jesus’ followers who came to watch this execution.

(MAYBE SKIP)

We don’t like to think about this often, but humanity is cruel and ugly. The idea of a crowd witnessing this because they’re bored seems unbelievable to you, but that’s just because you’ve found more civilized means of entertainment. WE have always been this way. From the Roman Colosseum, to the executioners axe of the enlightened age, humans have always done this.

“Historians remind us that for many in the past, executions weren’t solemn—they were entertainment.”

Deep down we’re not a different kind of evil than they are, we’ve only updated our rule book.

Those Roman guards casting lots for Jesus’ clothes were rolling lots, which are just ancient dice. The garment they’re gambling on couldn’t be bought in a store, it was made at home by the women of the house. Likely it was Mary, who stood a few paces off watching, who had made this.

There is a diversity in the crowds, all the different ways men can mock God are seen here.

The Romans Gamble. The disciples hide like cowards. The crowds are entertained. The thief mocks. The religious leaders play the hypocrite. And here we are too, just as surely as the Romans, our sins contributed just as much.

Yet, look at what our Lord says.

SLIDE Luke 23:34 “34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (Second Edition) 23:33–43: On the Cross

Those who were executed(in Jewish custom) were supposed to say, “May my death *atone for all my sins”; but Jesus confesses instead the sin of those who falsely convicted him

Jesus pleads for the forgiveness of his captors, his judges and even followers.

SLIDE Romans 5:8 “8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

B. What the Cross Accomplished

SLIDES through verses

Luke 23:44–49 ESV

44 It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45 while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. 47 Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” 48 And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. 49 And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things.

“The land goes dark. Thallus a 1st century pagan historian is quoted saying “On the whole world there pressed a most fearful darkness, and the rocks were rent by an earthquake, and many places in Judea and other districts were thrown down” - Julius Africanus, quoting Thallus (c. 221 AD)

SLIDE Luke 23:46 “46 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.”

Jesus quotes Psalm 31:5 “5 Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.”

Jesus willingly gave up His life for His sheep. Jesus knew what was going to happen, and submitted Himself purposely.

The Cross wasn’t a unexpected surprise to Jesus, it was His plan. Instead the surprise was for the mockers, cowards and hypocrites.

The guards, religious leaders and crowds thought they were going to have a good time today, instead the earth shook, the sky went dark, an innocent man died, and they went home feeling guilty.

Q. We’re answering the question “What has the Cross done for me?”

That answer should be from everyone- it saved me. But lets go deeper; saved you from what?

When I say “I am a saved”. I do not mean I am saved from sinning any more. Ultimately yes in glory I will be saved from experiencing any sin in heaven, but I’m not there yet.

Instead “When we say we are saved, we aren’t just saved from our sins-

SLIDE “We are saved from the wrath our sins deserved.”

The sin we commit is not painful, it is enjoyable at the expense of others. Some people say God saved me from “drugs, alcohol and rock n’ roll.” But that’s not the full testimony. If we took a field trip to a bar or smoke shop and told them “God will save you from drugs” “Some might reply “No thanks, I quite enjoy it”

The Gospel message isn’t that you’re saved from the sins you’ve normally enjoyed, it’s that He saved you from the wrath that God prepared for you because you have sinned.

SLIDES through verses

Isaiah 53:5

[5] But he was pierced for our transgressions;

he was crushed for our iniquities;

upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,

and with his wounds we are healed. (ESV)

(Penal Substitutionary Atonement )

Jesus on the cross, bore our iniquities. Every sin you’ve done was removed from your account and put onto Jesus’ account. Your entire sin record- from when you pushed your sibling as a toddler, to the sins you’ll commit on your deathbed, have been put onto Jesus.

Jesus didn’t die symbolically for a cause, He bore the wrath of God, your eternity of hell was spent entirely on Jesus in those few hours on the cross. There’s nothing symbolic or idealistic about it- He legally took all the punishment your sins deserved.

10 minutes

Total so far: 18 minutes

SLIDE 2. What the Resurrection has Done

SLIDES through verses

Luke 24:1–7 ESV

1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.”**

A. Theological Implications

V1 Mark’s Gospel (16:1) tells us Mary Magdalene, Mary the Mother and Salome (sal- omi) brought these spices. Trivia- There are 6-9 Marys in the NT.

When Joseph and Nicodemus buried Jesus, they wrapped His body with seventy-five pounds of myrrh and aloe (John 19:39). Jews traditionally lay their dead in a grave carved into rock for a year. Spices and ointments cover the smell of decaying flesh. After a year, when only bones remain, the bones are removed and put into a permanent resting place, often in a box called an ossuary. The women are here to add to the fragrances Nicodemus used.

V7 It’s remarkable that the angels knew all the words Jesus said to them. They don’t say “didn’t Jesus tell you about this” instead, the angels say “Remember how He told you”. 1st Peter 1:12 says these are things “angels long to look into”.

Q. What does the resurrection do for us? Here are some huge implications.

The afterlife/ Heaven is real. The debate between pharisees and Sadducees should end here.

Luke 24:39–4“39 See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.”

2. Everything He said is true!

In Acts 2 Peter says we are all witnesses of this- Israel can be … Acts 2:36 “certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

Randy begins playing here

3. We will physically be resurrected- redeemed, like all of creation will one day be.

Many of us adopt bugs bunny theology. When Bugs Bunny dies, his body lays down and his spirit goes to heaven. As a kid I watched that as an documentary video, and maybe you have to. But while yes to be away from the body is to be with the Lord- you do know that we believe in bodily resurrection, don’t you?

Romans 8:23 “23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.”

This idea is much bigger than we think. In the first 300 years of Christianity, there was a cult of people who claimed to have secret knowledge, called the Gnostics. One of their core beliefs is that the material world is evil and the spiritual world is good. This might sound familiar if you grew up in the 70’s, when eastern religion became popular. People said things like I’m not materialistic, I’m spiritual.

Except, God made both spirit and material. He made the earth and called it good. Jesus says He cares for the birds and flowers, and God asks Job if he is the one who keeps track of mountain goats and does giving birth. God loves His material creation.

In fact, Ephesians 6 tells us often it’s quite opposite!

SLIDE Ephesians 6:12“12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”

B. The Better Implication

I’m sure everyone in this room has lost a parent, or friend member before. Those first few days are a blur. It seems totally unreal at first. We think “there’s no way my friend is gone.” It takes our brain a while to catch up to reality. We know the fact is that they’re dead. Yet, what happens when you hear your phone ring and for a brief moment you think “What if that's my friend?” And then you remember… Then later on, it’s a door knock and you hop up with them in mind, but after two steps you realize it couldn’t be them knocking. Maybe even now it just feels like we could visit their house at any moment.

There’s something deeply unsettling about that feeling, because our mind hasn’t yet convinced our heart to stop hoping.

There is a line of thought that C.S. Lewis wrote,

SLIDE “If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world.” — C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

Our hearts desire something impossible- to see our loved ones again. Not just an image and not just in spirit. We want to hug them again. We want to remember their smell and see their smile for ourselves. And it turns out there is nothing foolish about that at all, because the tomb is empty.

On this day, almost 2000 years ago. That foolish fleeting thought we all have, turned out to be right. And Jesus walked in the room.

SLIDE Luke 24:36 “36 As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!””

SLIDE Luke 24:41 “41 And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?”

What are the theological implications of the resurrection? That’s not even a thought! Luke says these men disbelieved for joy. They were too happy to comprehend what they saw. This is the moment when you see a friend and you start crying in relief, and your smile makes your mouth hurt.

For the first time ever, that little foolish thought we all think “I wish He’d come back”, came true!

SLIDE “The resurrection of Christ is the joy of the saints, because thereby we receive back our best friend”- C.H. Spurgeon

What has the Resurrection done for you? It’s given you Jesus!

Jesus is therefore not a theory. Jesus is alive!

So many of us look back at Jesus’ life very earnestly. We look at His miracles, and wise words, and marvel that such a man ever lived. Maybe you’ve modeled your life after Him- maybe you used your “WWJD” bracelet think to yourself “what would Jesus do” before you acted. You look at the lessons He gave and think “I’d like to gain wisdom from this great teacher”

Yet all of those thoughts treat Him like any other person in History. You could just as easily wear a “WWALD” bracelet- “what would Abe Lincoln do?” And you’d live a model life. You could just as easily read Confucius and gain great wisdom.

Yes Jesus is the best example ever; but there’s more to Jesus that a moral story. Abraham Lincoln is still in the grave. As is Confucius, and Alexander, and Caesar.

But the tomb is empty, and Jesus is in the room with us!

He is risen! (He is risen indeed)

We can’t say WWJD, because He’s alive.. Instead, “What Will Jesus Do”.

Luke 24:5–6 ESV

5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee,

The tomb isn’t empty because Jesus is gone.

SLIDE The tomb is empty because Jesus is here

(Invitation to accept the Gospel)

End