Easter 2025

Luke Chapter 24.  + 1. Peter 1:3-4

Easter week, - Last Sunday we read in John how different groups had expectations of Jesus to be their savior, the Christ their king that would save them and set up a kingdom where he would rule with riotousness forever.

But in the same text the religious leaders were angry, that people were running to him and that even Greeks were wanting to meet Jesus. They wanted Jesus killed.

A key verse last week was “23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. - 27 “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose, I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”

Jesus then talks about the son of man being lifted up, and the people are confused, they hoped Jesus would be the Christ/Messiah that would be king forever. Jesus goes away and hid. Why would he do that if he was king?

Jesus gives the Passover meal a new meaning, on Thursday, my body and my blood, do this until I come again. Then Jesus is betrayed in to the of the religious leaders and condemned to death, for blasphemy, -Because Jesus will not deny who he is. Jesus is sent Pilate because the Jews are not allowed to kill people and they try to get Jesus convicted to death, Pilate, gives up and lets the people crucify Jesus. For saving he is a king. Jesus is beaten, nailed to a cross, (he is lifted up like the snake in the desert – and all that would look to Jesus for salvation would be saved Jesus). But Jesus dies, taking up on him self the sins of all who would believe in him and the wrath of God against sin. All hope lost, for the ones that put their trust in Jesus. But;

Jesus had said in John that he would laid down his life, no one could take it, so Jesus is willing going to the cross, for the glory of God, and that we could have a way to God. Someone wrote that for Jesus the cross is his glory, on the cross Jesus is glorified. Obeying and glorying the farther doing what only Jesus Gods son God in the flesh could do.

Jesus gives up his spirt after saying it is finished. The people that wanted Jesus’ death, are rejoicing. The disciples and the followers of Jesus are devastated all they put their home and trust in the last 3 years, is gone, they morn, they are afraid, shocked. (Jesus had told them at least 3 times that he would die and rise again, but no one could understand it). The people did not understand Jesus’ mission,

Therefore, Sunday morning there is no rejoicing or praising God at the people are walking to the tomb. There is no expectation that Jesus would be alive, everyone is expecting Jesus to be death. That is also why it is so har for them to understand that Jesus is alive. (What about you?)

Texts: Luke 24. (1. Peter 1).

But then why is Jesus alive, - well Jesus laid down his life, for our sin, so death had no sin on him, he let him self die for others sin, that his blood would cover sin, Jesus also said that He would take up his life again, Jesus was not bound by death or sin, or shame and lies and accusations of the devil. Because Jesus did all that the father showed him.    

Jesus explains it in Luke a few times as his followers has a very hard time understanding that Jesus is alive:

Frist they have spices for his death body…

The angel reminds them about Jesus words, - that Jesus would die and rise again on the 3 day, -

They just can believe it is to hard, - they hopes were so crused, - Peter and John marveling could it be?

Later Jesus is walking towards Emaus, - and he explains an rebukes some of his followers, for not understaning and beliving  - luke 24:25- 27 Oh follish ones… solw of hert to belive – the prophets and the Christ should suffer and enter in to glory, - Jesus takes them trught all the Old testament and explains the thinigs written about him.

Jesus breaks bread and their eyes are opened and they go back to tell the disciples they have seen Jesus and that he is alive.

Jesus stand comes and stands aboung them, - still Jesus is right there, and they doubt, the see touch him and still they disbelieved, because of joy, Jesus trying to prove he is real and not only a spirt eats a piece of fish…

Jesus explains why he died and rose, - Luke 24:44-49, - it was what Jesus has said when he was with them would happen, and it was to for fill the Old testament, - And he helped them understand why the Christ should suffer and die, and rise on the 3 day, that people could repent form sins and have forgivness, in Jesus name, and that was not only for the jews but for all nations, and he called them to be witness of this to the end of the world, -. (they should wait for the Holy Spirt).

Jesus resurrection – from 1 Peter 1:3-4 In Gods mercy, we can be born again to a living hope – because Jesus Christ rose from death – therefore in Christ resurrection we can be risen to new life and like Jesus be raised to be with God, and the inheritance is in heaven, - with God,  -

In Christ death, we can die, sin can be taken away, cleaned by Jesus’ blood, by death, and Jesus death even if he is glorified, - Jesus taking up his life to show all that he said and did is true, and in his resurrection – we can be born again an new creation, - to newer die again but always be with Jesus. Jesus masted death and we go dwell with God, as Jesus said to Mary and Martha, - We rise in Jesus righteousness, and his works, - now perfect in Gods eyes, because of Jesus work, God glorified in Jesus Christ life, death, and resurrection, - ascension and that Jesus is coming back, - to make all things new.

What about you? It was hard for the disciples to grasp, what does it mean for you that Jesus is alive and coming back? His death, that Jesus rose and showed himself for 40 days – to crowds up to more that 500 people?

What does it man for you who has walked with Jesus along time – Joy hope and peace and worship – we will now respond with sining worship to Jesus Christ the risen Lord. – Do you need prayer? You are welcome to come to the back or ask someone around you to pray for you.

Benediction in the end:

May the God father fill you with hope, May you know that the risen Lord Jesus is walking beside you, May the Holy Spirit empower you to live as witnesses of Jesus and the empty tomb.

Go in peace, with joy in your hearts, And proclaim: Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!