The Road to Resurrection
Notes
Transcript
April 20, 2025
FBC Baxley
am service
HE IS RISEN!__________________________
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Sermon Title: The Road to Resurrection
Text: Luke 24:1–12
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.” 8 And they remembered his words,
9 and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.
10 Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles,
11 but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.
12 But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.
PRAY-
Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Three Points:
A Startling Surprise vv. 1-5
2. A Shocking Statement vv. 5-7
3. A Stirred Response vv. 8-12
INTRODUCTION: "The Empty House"
A few years ago, a man named James inherited a beautiful country home from his grandparents.
It had been abandoned for over a decade.
With curiosity, he drove up to the old place, unsure what he would find.
When he arrived, it looked like time had stood still—dusty furniture, photos still on the walls, and a clock stopped at 3:17.
He stepped inside and paused. It was silent.
But something was strange. The house was empty—but not just of people.
It was as though something essential had left the place.
What he didn’t realize was that this home—though old—was waiting to tell a new story.
And so it is with the empty tomb.
To the casual observer, it's just an absence.
But to the believing heart, it's the loudest declaration in history: Jesus is alive.
Today, we walk The Road to Resurrection.
It is not just a road of history—it is a road of hope, transformation, and purpose.
CONTEXT OF LUKE 24:1–12:
Luke 24 takes place early on Sunday morning, following the darkest days in the lives of Jesus’ followers.
The crucifixion had shattered their messianic expectations.
In Jewish culture, a crucified man was seen as cursed by God (Deut. 21:23), and now, the One they had hoped would redeem Israel was buried in a borrowed tomb.
The women (Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and others) approach the tomb not expecting resurrection but to finish burial rituals (v. 1).
“they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared.”
Their actions reflect devotion, but also despair—they still believe Jesus is dead.
Yet, Luke, the meticulous physician and historian, paints the moment when history shifts.
This is not merely a sentimental story, but a supernatural disruption of death itself.
The resurrection turns theology into testimony.
1. A Startling Surprise
(Luke 24:1–5a)
“They found the stone rolled away from the tomb…”
A Devoted Arrival (v. 1)
“They came “very early in the morning.”
The Greek phrase “ὄρθρου βαθέως” (orthrou batheōs) implies it was still deep twilight—before sunrise.
Faith showed up while it was still dark.
Application: Sometimes obedience requires movement even when clarity hasn’t come.
An Unexpected Discovery (v. 2)
The Greek word “εὗρον” (heuron) – “they found” – is often used in Luke to describe divine moments (see Luke 2:16 – the shepherds “found” the baby Jesus).
They expected a sealed tomb; instead, they discovered an open invitation.
A Perplexed Reaction (v. 4)
“They were perplexed” – Greek: “διηπόρουν” (diēporoun) – meaning to be utterly at a loss, completely baffled.
They were trying to make sense of a miracle using natural logic.
2. A Shocking Statement
(Luke 24:5b–7)
“Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen!”
A Divine Interruption (v. 4b)
Two angels in “dazzling clothes” appear.
The term used for dazzling is “ἀστραπτούσῃ” (astraptousē) – literally "flashing like lightning" – signaling a heavenly origin (same root used in Luke 17:24 for lightning flashes).
A Penetrating Question (v. 5b)
“Why do you seek the living among the dead?”
It’s not merely rhetorical—it's a loving confrontation.
You won’t find Jesus where dead things reside.
A Prophetic Reminder (v. 6–7)
The angels recall Jesus’ own words: “The Son of Man must be delivered... crucified... and rise the third day.”
The word “δεῖ” (dei) – “must” – signifies divine necessity.
The crucifixion and resurrection were not unfortunate events, but ordained steps in God’s redemptive plan.
3. A Stirred Response
(Luke 24:8–12)
“And they remembered His words…”
“Peter ran to the tomb…”
A Remembered Word (v. 8)
“They remembered…” – Greek: “ἐμνήσθησαν” (emnēsthēsan)
– they recalled with deep spiritual clarity.
What they had heard before now made sense in light of the resurrection.
A Faithful Report (v. 9–10)
The women immediately go to tell the apostles, becoming the first evangelists of the resurrection.
In a culture where women's testimony wasn't even valid in court, God chooses them as the first witnesses.
Application: God often entrusts His greatest revelations to the faithful, not the famous.
A Divided Reaction (v. 11–12)
The apostles thought it was “idle tales” – “λῆρος” (lēros) – a medical term Luke (a physician) uses for delirious nonsense.
Yet Peter ran – the verb “ἀνέστη” (anestē) – he got up urgently.
His movement was not based on certainty, but curiosity and hope.
He left the tomb “marveling” – “θαυμάζων” (thaumazōn) – struck with wonder.
Application: God doesn’t require you to have all the answers—just the courage to investigate.
CONCLUSION: The Road Still Leads to Resurrection
The journey doesn’t end at the tomb—it begins there.
What began with spices and sorrow ends in wonder and witness.
The tomb is empty—but your life doesn’t have to be.
LIFE APPLICATIONS:
1. Revisit What Jesus Said
Spend time in His Word.
Don’t wait for crisis to remind you of His promises.
Let resurrection truth shape how you interpret your current trials.
Make it a weekly habit to memorize and meditate on Scriptures that speak of God's power and promises (e.g., John 11:25, Romans 8:11).
2. Refuse to Stay in the Past
Don’t dwell in dead places—guilt, shame, offense, fear.
Jesus has rolled the stone away. That grave no longer holds your story.
Consider journaling what "grave clothes" you're still clinging to and ask the Lord to help you leave them behind.
3. Run Toward the Risen Savior
Like Peter, don’t let confusion paralyze you—let it propel you to seek the truth.
Run to the Word, run to prayer, run to godly counsel.
Join a resurrection-centered community. Isolation kills faith, but community resurrects it.
PRAY
Invitation
“Are you born again?”
“Have you surrendered/repented to Jesus?
