What Does An Empty Tomb Mean To You?

Each Easter Sunday we hear the Resurrection story. Preachers all over the world are standing and proclaiming how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

But how does the truth of this Gospel meet you in your current stage in life? How can you apply this to the crisis or struggles you face right now?

How do you walk out of this Church this morning assured of God’s Love, comfort and forgiveness?

Allow me to introduce you to someone named Madeline. Madeline is a hardworking, homeschooling mother of five who has faithfully worked to educate her children and train them for the Lord. She loves God. She loves serving in the church. She loves her husband and children and their home. But the unthinkable has just happened. Her eldest daughter, who is 17, is pregnant. Madeline is crushed when she discovers that Hannah has been living a double life.

Maybe you have faced this same situation or maybe your story was a tell of addiction, divorce, financial stresses or depression.

NT156 Understanding Easter: The Significance of the Resurrection Why Madeline Comes to You

While Hannah openly professed faith and appeared to acquiesce to all of her parents’ demands, she had actually schemed to arrange trysts with a Christian boy down the street. To say that Madeline is devastated and disillusioned would be a momentous understatement. Every day she vacillates between giving up in defeat and humiliation, or giving full vent to her fury at Hannah’s betrayal and lack of appreciation for all her years of sacrifice for her. She’s also wondering why God hasn’t upheld His part of the bargain. After all, she trained her daughter in the way that she should go. Why didn’t God keep her from departing from it as He contracted to do, she thinks, in Proverbs 22:6? She feels betrayed, deserted, confused, disappointed, angry, and ashamed.

While Hannah openly professed faith and appeared to accept all of her parents’ demands, she had actually schemed to arrange private time with a Christian boy down the street. To say that Madeline is devastated and disillusioned would be a momentous understatement. Every day she wavers between giving up in defeat and humiliation, or giving full vent to her fury at Hannah’s betrayal and lack of appreciation for all her years of sacrifice for her. She’s also wondering why God hasn’t upheld His part of the bargain. After all, she trained her daughter in the way that she should go. Why didn’t God keep her from departing from it as He contracted to do, she thinks, in ? She feels betrayed, deserted, confused, disappointed, angry, and ashamed.

Now let me ask you, “How would you help Madeline? What does she need to remember?”

First, the gospel informs us about God’s nature.

He isn’t surprised by our sin.

NT156 Understanding Easter: The Significance of the Resurrection God’s Response to Evil and Sin

First, the gospel informs Madeline about God’s nature. He isn’t surprised either by her or her daughter’s sin.

In fact, He is more aware of it than we ever will be. His plan to overcome evil with good was set in place long before we were born, long before this world was born.

Because of the gospel, Madeline can be assured that God will overcome all evil—even Hannah’s sin—with good.

Fitzpatrick, E., Moo, D. J., Strauss, M. L., Witherington, B., Evans, C. A., Bock, D. L., … Sloan, R. B. (2016). NT156 Understanding Easter: The Significance of the Resurrection. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

But overcoming sin cost Him dearly. He sent His son from heaven to be born as a baby, wrapped in swaddling clothes, [to] suffer cold and hunger, be schemed against and betrayed, and finally hung in humiliation on a cross, defiled by our sin despite His own flawless innocence and drinking down the cup of His Father’s wrath.

She (You) needs to remember that Jesus had to suffer for her sin too.

She needs to remember that Jesus had to suffer for her sin too.

Fitzpatrick, E., Moo, D. J., Strauss, M. L., Witherington, B., Evans, C. A., Bock, D. L., … Sloan, R. B. (2016). NT156 Understanding Easter: The Significance of the Resurrection. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.She needs to remember that Jesus had to suffer for her sin too.

Although, she feels overwhelmed by her daughter’s sins against her.

She (You) needs to remember that full atonement has been made.

God no longer holds her sin against her. If Hannah is truly His, He doesn’t hold her sin against her either.

She (You) needs to remember what the gospel tells her about herself.

God’s love for her isn’t based on her performance nor her children’s performance.

His love is based solely on the performance of His Son.

Madeline (You) can rejoice that He doesn’t operate on a quid-pro-quo basis like a cosmic vending machine, spitting out treats for those who perform flawlessly. By grace alone she’s been given the complete righteousness of the Son.

How else would this help Madeline?

Fitzpatrick, E., Moo, D. J., Strauss, M. L., Witherington, B., Evans, C. A., Bock, D. L., … Sloan, R. B. (2016). NT156 Understanding Easter: The Significance of the Resurrection. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

NT156 Understanding Easter: The Significance of the Resurrection Why Madeline Comes to You

While Hannah openly professed faith and appeared to acquiesce to all of her parents’ demands, she had actually schemed to arrange trysts with a Christian boy down the street. To say that Madeline is devastated and disillusioned would be a momentous understatement. Every day she vacillates between giving up in defeat and humiliation, or giving full vent to her fury at Hannah’s betrayal and lack of appreciation for all her years of sacrifice for her. She’s also wondering why God hasn’t upheld His part of the bargain. After all, she trained her daughter in the way that she should go. Why didn’t God keep her from departing from it as He contracted to do, she thinks, in Proverbs 22:6? She feels betrayed, deserted, confused, disappointed, angry, and ashamed.

What Does An Empty Tomb Mean To You?

Introduction