A Love Story! (Easter 2026)

INTRODUCTION:

HE IS RISEN …… HE IS ALIVE …….

This is what we come here this morning to celebrate”

But I think the question some people might be asking this morning is ….. THE WHY.

Why did Jesus have to die?

Why did Jesus rise from the grave?

Let take a look and answer the WHY?!

Scripture: Mark 16:1-8 

16:1 When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 

2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 

3 And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” 

4 And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. 

5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 

6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 

7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” 

8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Sermon Title: Easter: A Love Story!

SEGWAY:

 Illustration: 

In 1988 an 6.2 earthquake almost flattened Armenia, (Eurasia) killing over 30,000 people in less than four minutes.

In the midst of utter devastation and chaos, a father left his wife securely at home and rushed to the school where his son was supposed to be, only to discover that the building was as flat as a pancake.

After the traumatic initial shock, he remembered the promise he had made to his son: "No matter what, I'll always be there for you!" 

And tears began to fill his eyes. 

As he looked at the pile of debris that once was the school, it looked hopeless, but he kept remembering his commitment to his son.  

He began to concentrate on where he walked his son to class at school each morning.  

Remembering his son's classroom would be in the back right corner of the building, he rushed there and started digging through the rubble.

As he was removing large pieces of stone and rock, other parents arrived, clutching their hearts, saying: "My son!"  "My daughter!" 

Other well meaning parents tried to pull him off of what was left of the school saying:  

"It's too late!"

"They're dead!"

"You can't help!"

"Go home!"

"Come on, face reality, there's nothing you can do!"

"You're just going to make things worse!"  

To each parent he responded with one line: "Are you going to help me now?"  

And then he proceeded to dig for his son, stone by stone.

The fire chief showed up and tried to pull him off of the school's debris, saying, "Fires are breaking out, explosions are happening everywhere.  You're in danger.   We'll take care of it.  Go home." 

To which this loving, caring Armenian father asked, "Are you going to help me now?"  

The police came and said, "You're angry, distraught and it's over.  You're endangering others.  Go home.  We'll handle it!" 

To which he replied, "Are you going to help me now?" 

No one helped.  

Courageously he proceeded alone because he needed to know for himself: "Is my boy alive or is he dead?"  

He dug for 8 hours . . . 12 hours . . . 24 hours ... 36 hours . . . then, in the 38th hour, he pulled back a boulder and heard his son's voice. 

He screamed his son's name, "ARMAND!" 

He heard back, "Dad!?!  …..

…. it's me, Dad!  I told the other kids not to worry.  I told 'em that if you were alive, you'd save me and when you saved me, they'd be saved. 

You promised, 'No matter what, you would always be there for me!' You did it, Dad! . . . "

Pause …..

This story is not just about a “Promise” …….. This story is also about LOVE!

A promise was made but Love is what motivated this father to fulfill the promise!

This is what we celebrate today! EASTER – A LOVE STORY

A Love of a Father for his Children. 

What the Easter story reveals is that nothing would come between this Love that our heavenly Father had for His children.

God was going to make a way and that way is JESUS!  

What is dealt within or (revealed within) this passage of scripture is the dynamic of 2 relationships. 

A relationship between the people who has this love for Christ.

A relationship between a loving Father (God) for His people. 

Let me just say this ….. “God loves You!” 

The Shack ….. “Papa is fond of you!”

I have said this before ….. My Picture is on God’s refrigerator door.

The main premise of this passage is “He has risen; he is not here.” (Vs 6)

This is the revelation of this Love God has for his people: JESUS, THE CROSS, DEFEATING DEATH and SIN.

My favorite part of the “Passion of the Christ” is the last 12 seconds of the movie.

This was the promise of God who said “HE will provide a way.” 

What’s He talking about? 

The way back to Him. 

What motivated God to fulfill the promise was His Love for His children. 

BODY:

What I feel led to do this morning is look at these two relational dynamics: 

A relationship between the people and their love for Christ.

A relationship between a loving Father (God) and His people.

So the first relationship dynamic is between the people and their love for Christ

Here is what I noticed …….

MONEY WAS NOT A HINDRANCE!

Showing their Love for Christ they “bought spices.”

These spices were very expensive.

Money was not a hindrance in showing Christ their love and adoration. 

TIME WAS NOT A DETERRENT!

The scripture tells us that (Vs 2) And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb.

Didn’t matter how long it was going to take them.

OBSTACLES WERE NOT USED AS AN EXCUSE! Move to the stone!

For this group of ladies the stone wasn’t even considered until they were on their way to the Tomb. 

Example: Leaving for the concert and half way there someone decides this is the time to ask, “Did you remember the tickets?” 

Now let’s take a look at the 2nd of the two relational dynamics:

A relationship between a loving Father (God) and His people.

OBSTACLE WAS ALREADY REMOVED!

In this passage we see that the Father removed the Obstacle before they arrived.

Interesting thing about obstacles, they can be placed there by Satan or God!

By Satan – it’s to stop the furthering of God’s kingdom 

If we allow God, he will remove them. 

Sometimes before we even ask. (Point to the stone)

By God – It’s for our good!

Could be that we have diverted from his plans and he uses these obstacles to get us back on track. 

When we are seeking Christ with all our heart, mind, and soul our pathway has already been made straight.

How can I say this?

Look at Christ!

From Baptism to the Cross! Straight.

He was doing the will of the Father!

OUR QUESTIONS WILL ALREADY BE ANSWERED!

(Vs 6) say’s “He is risen; he is not here.” 

Before they can even ask the question, “Where is the Body?”

Before they can even ask the next question, “Where did He go?” 

Then the angel goes on to tell them, (Vs 7) But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.”

CLIMAX:

I am of this belief,

When we are seeking Christ with all our heart, mind, and soul….. 

….. our questions have already been answered!

I believe this, 

As a follower of Jesus Christ ……

Money will not be a hindrance!

Time will not be a deterrent!

Obstacles will not be an excuse!  

This love we have for Christ, nothing will come between us and Him.

Not money, time, or any other obstacle.  

Faith will be the answer to all questions asked!

Fulfilling the mission of the Father (telling/revealing to others Christ) becomes part of our DNA.

For these disciples, nothing was going to come between them and Jesus!

CONCLUSION:

Have the music begin softly…

Let me ask you something this morning…

What is between you and Jesus today?

You had a white piece of paper on your chairs when you came in this morning.

I want you to look at that piece of white paper in your hand.

Don't write anything. Just hold it.

Notice how light it is.

Because that paper doesn't weigh anything.

But what it represents? That might be the heaviest thing you've carried in years.

Maybe it's busyness.

A distraction.

A pressure you're suffocating under.

Or maybe it's something far more personal.

A quiet struggle nobody else sees.

A habit.

A hurt.

A regret.

A version of yourself you're not sure God could still love.

I would be safe to say, “You knew what it was the moment I started talking.”

Envision Writing it down.

Now hold it up and look at it.

That is what those women thought the stone was going to be.

Their obstacle.

Their reason to turn back.

But when they got there — the stone was already rolled away.

Here's the challenge:

Stop treating your stone like it's still in place.

That thing you envisioned writing down?

Jesus went to the cross specifically for that.

He had that in mind.

And He is not in the grave. He is risen.

So don't fold that paper back up and carry it home.

In a moment I'm going to ask you to bring it forward.

Not because the paper is magic — but because there is something powerful about a moment of physical surrender.

A moment where your body agrees with what your soul is deciding.

"I'm done carrying this between me and Jesus."

You don't have to have it figured out.

You just have to come willing.

The stone is already rolled away.

Will you step forward?