I Didn’t Expect That

Main Idea

In times of grief and sorrow we can forget God, the Father of Jesus Christ, can resurrect our situations and that he will give us a new resurrected body that is incorruptible in the future, we who are believers that set our minds on things above.

Scripture

Luke 24:5 MSG

5 The women were awestruck and bowed down in worship. The men said, “Why are you looking for the Living One in a cemetery?

Introduction- When God’s Righteous People Experience Grief

Elisabeth Elliot (1926-2015)

Elisabeth Elliot was a college girl, with a vivid personality and strong faith, when she met a fellow student called Jim Elliot. The couple were attracted but chose to put Christ first in their relationship – even when they parted and thought they might never get married as a consequence of trying to do what they felt was pleasing to God. Elisabeth served in Ecuador as a missionary and it was there that she and Jim reunited and married before having a baby girl and planning a mission to an unreached tribe. Jim was martyred by the people they were trying to reach but Elisabeth went on to live and serve among the tribe with their little girl. Later, home in America, Elisabeth wrote and spoke about faith to others but she experienced more personal sorrow when her second husband died of cancer. With characteristic common-sense and no-nonsense, Elisabeth refused to feel sorry for herself but remained faithful to God in spite of the multiple heartbreaks, eventually enjoying a long and happy third marriage and life as a grandmother while writing her much-loved books. She lived what she preached: trusting God, keeping a quiet heart, and doing the next thing.

In Her Own Words:

“The fact that I am a woman does not make me a different kind of Christian, but the fact that I am a Christian makes me a different kind of woman.” (Elisabeth Elliot)

Dispelling the Disconnectedness To Reality

Of Those Who Carelessly Quote 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 out of context, to those who are grieving:

1 Thessalonians 4:13–14 ESV

13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.

People Of Faith Experience Grief Too…

Naomi: Grieved the loss of her husband and both sons in a foreign land, changing her name to "Mara" (bitter) due to her sorrow.

Ruth 1:20 ESV

20 She said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.

Hannah: Suffered deep emotional grief and desperation due to infertility, pouring out her soul in prayer. 

1 Samuel 1:10 ESV

10 She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly.

David: Experienced deep grief multiple times, including the loss of his infant son and his son Absalom, frequently expressing his anguish in the Psalms.

2 Samuel 12 and 18-19, shows two different reactions: accepting the death of his infant son with faith-based resignation, and experiencing deep, disruptive heartbreak over the death of his adult son, Absalom. 

Job (& his wife, Mrs. Job): Experienced severe grief after losing his children, wealth, and health, responding by tearing his clothes and mourning.

Jeremiah: Known as the "weeping prophet," he suffered deeply over the destruction of Jerusalem and his rejection by his people.

Ezekiel: Suffered the sudden death of his wife, whom God described as "the delight of his eyes," and was told not to outwardly mourn, embodying the loss.

Mary, mother of Jesus: Experienced profound pain as the Mother of our Lord, notably watching her son die on the cross.

Jesus Christ: Known as the "man of sorrows," he wept over the death of his friend Lazarus, despite knowing he would raise him, showing sympathy for human loss (John 11:35).

John 11:35 ESV

35 Jesus wept.

These narratives show that biblical figures often responded to grief with raw honesty—weeping, tearing clothes, or questioning God

Transition To Body- They Experienced Grief In Luke 24 Over The Loss Of A Love One

When Grief Caused Them To Not Expect What They Experienced At The Tomb Of Jesus (Lk 24:1-12)

Remember-

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 29.7 μνημονεύω; μιμνῄσκομαι; μνήμη, ης; μνεία, ας

to recall information from memory, but without necessarily the implication that persons have actually forgotten—‘to remember, to recall, to think about again, memory, remembrance.’

Memory repression is the brain’s way of unconsciously blocking out distressing thoughts, emotions, or experiences. It’s a psychological defense mechanism designed to protect us from harm. 

Body- I Didn’t Expect That When, I Kept…

Honoring Jesus The One Who Brought Us Together (Lk 24:1)

Luke 24:1 ESV

1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared.

They came without hope, resigned to His death. The terror of Good Friday was over. The grief of Saturday was still with them and they came mourning, to prepare His body for the long journey into decomposition. They came with no faith that anything would change.

Bruce Larson and Lloyd J. Ogilvie, Luke, vol. 26 of The Preacher’s Commentary Series (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1983), 344.

They went

Early- Dedication

Luke’s Greek phrase orthrou batheōs (v. 1) means “the extreme point of earliness,” perhaps “the crack of dawn.”

The impression left in all four, rather, is that the early arrival testifies to the women’s dedication to anoint the body of Jesus with spices they had prepared before the onset of Sabbath (23:56).

James R. Edwards, The Gospel according to Luke, ed. D. A. Carson, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Apollos, 2015), 708.

Together- Support & Partnership

Romans 12:15 ESV

15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

Psalm 34:18 ESV

18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

Prepared- The Aroma Of A Jesus Honoring Anointing

Sweet Smelling Aroma

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 6.207 ἄρωμα, τος; σμῆγμα, τος

aromatic oils or salves used especially in embalming the dead—‘aromatic salves, perfumed ointment.’

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 6.207 ἄρωμα, τος; σμῆγμα, τος

‘sweet-smelling herbs’ or ‘good-smelling leaves’ or ‘perfumed oil.’

{

Honoring Jesus The One Who Brought Us Together (Lk 24:1)

}

Maintaining Faith In the LORD Jesus Despite Our Obstacles (Lk 24:2-3)

Luke 24:2–3 ESV

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.

For the first time at the empty tomb Luke unites “Lord” with “Jesus” to signify that the crucified Jesus is now the exalted Lord Jesus.

James R. Edwards, The Gospel according to Luke, ed. D. A. Carson, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Apollos, 2015), 709.

In Matt 28:2 the tomb is opened by the agency of an earthquake and angels. In the other Gospels the reference to the “stone rolled away” (v. 2; Mark 16:4; John 20:1) is a “divine passive,” implying that it was rolled away by God. The women witness an event they neither expected nor effected.

James R. Edwards, The Gospel according to Luke, ed. D. A. Carson, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Apollos, 2015), 709.

{

Honoring Jesus The One Who Brought Us Together (Lk 24:1)

Maintaining Faith In the LORD Jesus Despite Our Obstacles (Lk 24:2-3)

}

Receiving A Heaven Sent Reassurance Concerning The Resurrection (Lk 24:4-8)

Luke 24:4–8 ESV

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,

The angels offer no proof of Jesus’ resurrection to the women. They proclaim the resurrection, and their proclamation makes faith possible, for faith is not a logical deduction from the fact of the empty tomb but a response of trust to declared truth. The angelic command to “remember” (v. 6)—and the act of “remembering” (v. 8)—lead the women from darkness to the dawn of understanding and faith. The act of remembering may be the most important virtue in Judaism. In the OT, and especially in Deut, Israel is exhorted to “remember” the mercy and faithfulness of God as the essential first step in faith, and the all-important step in maintaining faith (22:61!).

James R. Edwards, The Gospel according to Luke, ed. D. A. Carson, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Apollos, 2015), 710–711.

{

Honoring Jesus The One Who Brought Us Together (Lk 24:1)

Maintaining Faith In the LORD Jesus Despite Our Obstacles (Lk 24:2-3)

Receiving A Heaven Sent Reassurance Concerning The Resurrection (Lk 24:4-8)

}

Being The Unexpected Witnesses Of A Remarkable Message (Lk 24:9-12)

Luke 24:9–12 ESV

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.

The names of only women witnesses at an event as momentous as the resurrection is wholly remarkable. Jewish opinion of women, especially in religious matters, was not always positive. In Mark and Matt the women are the sole witnesses of the empty tomb, whereas Luke (v. 12) and John (20:3–10) include the witness of Peter and “the other disciple,” although neither of the latter is (yet) a believing witness. The presence of names of women who had followed Jesus from Galilee (v. 6) attests to the early dating of their testimony, and also argues in favor of the veracity of the resurrection narrative, for the fabrication of resurrection testimony involving women (in all four Gospels!) would be incredible.

James R. Edwards, The Gospel according to Luke, ed. D. A. Carson, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Apollos, 2015), 712.

It Was The Women Who Stuck With Jesus!

Luke 23:27–28 ESV

27 And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him. 28 But turning to them Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.

Luke 23:49 ESV

49 And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things.

Luke 23:55–56 ESV

55 The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. 56 Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

It Was The Women Who Watched & Modeled The Ministry Of Jesus…

Luke 8:1–3 ESV

1 Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 3 and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.

Consider Your Calling Brothers & Sisters

1 Corinthians 1:26–31 NIV

26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”

{

Honoring Jesus The One Who Brought Us Together (Lk 24:1)

Maintaining Faith In the LORD Jesus Despite Our Obstacles (Lk 24:2-3)

Receiving A Heaven Sent Reassurance Concerning The Resurrection (Lk 24:4-8)

Being The Unexpected Witnesses Of A Remarkable Message (Lk 24:9-12)

}

Transition To Close- Woman Who Exemplifies The Fragrance Of Christ

The late Aretha Franklin, The Queen Of Soul, Once Said

During an interview with Gwen Ifill for PBS NewsHour, which aired on November 25, 2015

ARETHA FRANKLIN:

It's Sunday, and what could be better? This is the lord's day.

GWEN IFILL:

But I see you do that when it's not Sunday.

ARETHA FRANKLIN:

Mm-hmm.

GWEN IFILL:

And I wonder if part of you feels...

ARETHA FRANKLIN:

Yes. No, you don't have to have any special day.

GWEN IFILL:

But when did you cross the line from gospel to pop?

ARETHA FRANKLIN:

“I didn't cross the line. 

Gospel goes with me wherever I go. Gospel is a constant with me.” - Aretha Franklin

For God So Loved The World…

John 3:16–17 ESV

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Romans 8:1 ESV

1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:8 ESV

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

Romans 6:23 ESV

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 3:23 ESV

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

We Are The Aroma Of Christ To God

2 Corinthians 2:14–16 ESV

14 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?

Close- Share The Aroma Of Jesus Christ!!!

Ephesians 5:1–2 ESV

1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Happy Resurrection Sunday!!!!

Psalm 118:21–24 ESV

21 I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. 22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. 23 This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. 24 This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:29 ESV

29 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!

He Is Risen!!!!

Luke 24:5 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?

Luke 24:6 ESV

6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee,

The Old Hymnist Sang:

I serve a risen Savior   He’s in the world today. I know that He is living,   Whatever men may say. I see His hand of mercy;   I hear His voice of cheer; And just the time I need Him   He’s always near. 

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today! He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way. He lives, He lives, salvation to impart! You ask me how I know He lives?     He lives within my heart.

Remember How Jesus Told You… Go!

Matthew 28:19–20 ESV

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”