The Hope of Easter

Bible Passage: Luke 24:1–35

Summary: In Luke 24:1-35, we witness the discovery of the empty tomb by the women, the angelic proclamation of Jesus' resurrection, and the encounter of Jesus with two disciples on the road to Emmaus. This passage encapsulates the joyous and transformative event of Easter, highlighting the fulfillment of scriptural promises and the reality of Jesus' victory over death.

Application: This sermon can reassure Christians that even in the midst of doubt and despair, hope is alive through the resurrection of Jesus. For those struggling with grief, uncertainty, or faith, the message of Easter brings encouragement and the promise of new life.

Teaching: The sermon teaches that the resurrection is not just historical fact but an event that redefines our identity, purpose, and future. It calls believers to recognize the presence of the Risen Christ in their lives and empowers them to share this hope with others.

How this passage could point to Christ: The resurrection of Jesus is the pivotal event that fulfills the entire narrative of Scripture, pointing to the reality of redemption and restoration. It reveals Christ as the promised Messiah and the source of eternal life, connecting the Old Testament prophecies with New Testament fulfillment.

Big Idea: Easter is a celebration of the hope and transformation found in the Risen Christ, calling us to live in the reality of His resurrection power.

Intro: The Hope of Easter - searching for the risen Savior

What is hope?

A little girl noticed her dad working on their old car, which seemed completely broken. She asked him, 'Are you sure it’s not just a big pile of metal?' He smiled and replied, 'No, sweetie, I see a car with the power to take us on new adventures.' Hope is like that dad; it sees potential amidst the chaos and believes in the possibility of renewal.

Can we make hope personal today on a global scale… we might be in a time where we have lost hope, or are doubting that there is any hope for this time. I am rest assured that their is still hope for today!

You can do so much at Easter, we gather to celebrate the defeating of the power of death over our lives as our risen savior has conquered the sting of death!

Without the resurrection, there is no reason to suppose that Jesus’ crucifixion dealt with sins, or with sin. But, with the resurrection, the divine victory over sin(s), and hence over death, is assured.

N. T. Wright

Today we will see three truths from our text that show Jesus the resurrected savior is the global hope of Easter!

1. Discovery of Hope

Luke 24:1–12

The Empty Tomb- transformative hope that is found in resurrected life of Jesus (vs 1-5)

Spices- Prepared to see a man in a tomb

Perplexed and frightened-

Seeking the living amongst the dead?

The Angels appeared for a purpose…

God is truly our helper even in our forgetfulness and going through life

Angels often accompanied heavenly visitations as interpreters of the event, such as those who interpreted the significance of the empty tomb (Luke 24:4–9)

John B. Polhill

We find the humanity in this text- forgetfulness - can we relate to forgetfulness?

(God grace and hope with mans forgetfulness)

Take today as a remembrance to grow in what you remember (there does come a choice of faith today)

There are so many distractions that would lead us to forget or doubt..

It is good to reflect on the good times…

Take a moment to just look up- look around you—- you want to know God does redemptive work - look around us

How easily we forget what Christ has spoken… (vs 6)

Remeber what He spoke to you

The disciples

Luke 9:44 “44 “Let these words sink into your ears; for the Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.””

Matthew 17:22 “22 And while they were gathering together in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men;”

What has he spoken about his resurrection that is for us today-

John 10:10 “10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

The disbelief (vs 10)

This text is a great display of humanity- they disciples who were with Jesus heard and thought it could not be true

Peter had to see for himself.

John 20:3–6 “3 So Peter and the other disciple went forth, and they were going to the tomb. 4 The two were running together; and the other disciple ran ahead faster than Peter and came to the tomb first; 5 and stooping and looking in, he saw the linen wrappings lying there; but he did not go in. 6 And so Simon Peter also came, following him, and entered the tomb; and he saw the linen wrappings lying there,”

Marveled- (vs 12)

Life changing moment! - more than history!

Perhaps the transformation of the disciples of Jesus is the greatest evidence of all for the resurrection.

John Robert Walmsley Stott (English Preacher); Robert J. Morgan

Their journey from grief to astonishment mirrors our spiritual journey from despair to hope, rooted in the promises of God. With angelic assurance, they remind us that Jesus' words are reliable and His victory is sure, offering encouragement to those in mourning or in doubt.

Can this hope be discovered today- absolutely this is a risen Savior

Look for Him amongst the living ( why are we so eager to find Christ anywhere but His church His people) you see Christ has made the way for Him to be known through His people

John 13:35 “35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.””

John 15:8–9 “8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. 9 Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.”

Trying to navigate a store and you are looking in the wrong place for your item—- it always is an adventure for me

I am convinced that without finding this hope today we are helpless- you see the hope of Easter is Christ for us today becuase just like the women and the disciples we are helpless but with the truth of the resurrection we have all we need through Christ

As we look for Him amongst the living this leads us to our next point- He is faithful to encounter have an encounter with us

2. Encounter with Christ

Luke 24:13–24

This maybe a top ten question I hear the most people ask… what are encounters with Christ like- well I believe we need to hold closely to this text. This text is a good reminder that it can take place in everyday life circumstances.

Christ will reveal Himself whom He pleases- He is a good God. As we seek Him amongst the living, He is faithful to show up.

This is one of my favorite encounters that we have in the Bible concerning Christ.

In these previous verses we see the risen savior.. it is here that I believe we see the friendship of Christ on display.

Proverbs 18:24 “24 A man of too many friends comes to ruin, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

Headed to a village -knowing what they had heard and seen (everyday life)

1227 The greatest test of Christianity is the wear and tear of daily life. It is like the shining of silver, the more it is rubbed the brighter it grows.

Oswald Chambers (Lecturer and Missionary)

This wonderful interaction: (vs 17-24)

There are special occasions in our lives… I like to think about the small interactions I have full of laughter with my wife and my kids… I like them becuase we don’t have to try so hard they just happen.

What i have learned as a beliver if God says these are good He will make they way.. just be willing- we are unwilling when we try to make it happen… surrendered life is letting the good things God has for us for His glory happen. People are crying out for hope… when we surrender we can share that hope… your friends want authentic friendships not built on what you can bring but just being there… your spouse desires to be loved uncondionatly no matter what.. we must surrender… your kids want strong parents who surrender to God not this world… the most important is what we see here Jesus prayer that we would be one with Him.. surrender must take place… surrender to this prayer.

Jesus prayed the following for the disciples and for you and me

John 17:23 “23 I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.”

Jesus has prayed for us and with the prayer acts upon His prayer who is the one that unifies us- its Christ- His sovereign work in our lives

What is the purpose of all our encounters with Christ? His glory! Those who seek Him It is Him doing the work- it is His work that leads us to Him.

Vs 21 - redeem Israel

Luke 1:68 “68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people,”

The confusion was still there- redemption on a minimal scale- The Redemption has come for Israel and the gentiles

9    It was the precious lifeblood, which flowed from our Lord’s crucified body on Calvary, which purchased for us redemption from the curse of a broken law. J. C. Ryle The Upper Room (19th century)

J. C. Ryle

We have been redeemed!

This encounter with Christ showcases the process of recognizing Christ in everyday life. The disciples' initial despair and misunderstanding are met by Jesus walking alongside them, just as He walks with us, opening our eyes and hearts to His presence, even in times of confusion and doubt.

Jesus walks with us! He is working all things out amongst our doubt and confusion- we live in a time where we can be great doubters and extremely confused this leads us to our third point

3. Revelation of Resurrection

Luke 24:25–35

Oh how sweet the truth!

Truth comes as Jesus speaks

foolish and slow to heart - it is a heart issue not a head one!

What do we mean by this- well you can know all the great truth in the world and still be dead inside- the disciples knew- they have come alive.

Christ’s authority in your life and mine

May these words encourage us all that humanity is foolish and slow to heart… this is why God speaks of His grace…

It is grace at the beginning, and grace at the end. So that when you and I come to lie upon our death beds, the one thing that should comfort and help and strengthen us there is the thing that helped us in the beginning. Not what we have been, not what we have done, but the grace of God in Jesus Christ our Lord. The Christian life starts with grace, it must continue with grace, it ends with grace. Grace, wondrous grace. By the grace of God I am what I am. Yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

David Martyn Lloyd-Jones (Welsh Preacher and Writer)

Jesus explains!

Grace is followed by truth!- great lesson Jesus teaches- prideful pam, or temper Tommy! gracious Gary and truthful Trevor!

Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate. Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it a man will gladly go and sell all that he has.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Lutheran Pastor)

Jesus teaches about Himself- draws them near to the text!

OT promises fulfilled in the NT

Christ is the one promised!

Deuteronomy 18:15 “15 “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your countrymen, you shall listen to him.”

Isaiah 42:1 “1 “Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My chosen one in whom My soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations.”

Matthew 12:18 “18 “Behold, My Servant whom I have chosen; My Beloved in whom My soul is well-pleased; I will put My Spirit upon Him, And He shall proclaim justice to the Gentiles.”

Eyes Opened (vs 31) - Have you had a moment when truth was revealed! When we know it we cant but help but share it! There are so many things to share…

His Authority as Savior! -They understood God’s redemptive plan had been fulfilled

1 Corinthians 11:23–25 “23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.””

Jesus blessed and broke bread!

Matthew 14:19 “19 Ordering the people to sit down on the grass, He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food, and breaking the loaves He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds,”

The revelation of the Resurrection is His authority- taken us from people foolish and slow of heart to men and women of great faith- God glory!

They had seen His willingness and authority-

Scriptures reveled a burning for them (vs 32)

It is Christ

A great belief and understanding of truth. (vs 33-35)

It is Christ

God glorified.

Maybe reflect on how Jesus' revelation of Himself through Scripture and the breaking of bread with the disciples highlights the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. This moment of recognition is not just historical but deeply personal, encouraging believers to live in the resurrection power of Christ and share that with others through their transformed lives and witness.

Application:

Look for Him amongst the living (Christ has raised us from the dead)

What will tomorrow look like

Christ will show up!

in everyday life and He is gracious full of truth

Christ is Risen! We are redeemed.

We you belief? Will you make him your savior? Will you make Him Lord?

Questions

How did the angels play a role in reminding the women of Jesus' words regarding His resurrection?

In what ways does the narrative of the disciples' journey demonstrate humanity's struggles with doubt and confusion?

How can the message of the resurrection provide hope to someone experiencing grief or loss?

How can you create intentional time for reflection on God's grace and the resurrection in your personal life?

How can understanding the fulfillment of scripture through Jesus’ resurrection change your daily choices and interactions?

In what ways can you foster authentic friendships that reflect Christ’s love and hope?

In what ways can we actively seek to recognize Christ's presence in our daily lives?