The Resurrection: The Game Changer

How the Virus stole Easter

Twas late in ‘19 when the virus began Bringing chaos and fear to all people, each land.

People were sick, hospitals full, Doctors overwhelmed, no one in school.

As winter gave way to the promise of spring, The virus raged on, touching peasant and king.

People hid in their homes from the enemy unseen. They YouTubed and Zoomed, social-distanced, and cleaned.

April approached and churches were closed. “There won’t be an Easter,” the world supposed.

“There won’t be church services, and egg hunts are out. No reason for new dresses when we can’t go about.”

Holy Week started, as bleak as the rest. The world was focused on masks and on tests.

“Easter can’t happen this year,” it proclaimed. “Online and at home, it just won’t be the same.”

Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, the days came and went. The virus pressed on; it just would not relent.

The world woke Sunday and nothing had changed. The virus still menaced, the people, estranged.

“Pooh pooh to the saints,” the world was grumbling. “They’re finding out now that no Easter is coming.

“They’re just waking up! We know just what they’ll do! Their mouths will hang open a minute or two, And then all the saints will all cry boo-hoo.

“That noise,” said the world, “will be something to hear.” So it paused and the world put a hand to its ear.

And it did hear a sound coming through all the skies. It started down low, then it started to rise.

But the sound wasn’t depressed. Why, this sound was triumphant! It couldn’t be so! But it grew with abundance!

The world stared around, popping its eyes. Then it shook! What it saw was a shocking surprise!

Every saint in every nation, the tall and the small, Was celebrating Jesus in spite of it all!

It hadn’t stopped Easter from coming! It came! Somehow or other, it came just the same!

And the world with its life quite stuck in quarantine Stood puzzling and puzzling. “Just how can it be?”

“It came without bonnets, it came without bunnies, It came without egg hunts, cantatas, or money.”

Then the world thought of something it hadn’t before. “Maybe Easter,” it thought, “doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Easter, perhaps, means a little bit more.”

And what happened then? Well....the story’s not done. What will YOU do? Will you share with that one Or two or more people needing hope in this night? Will you share the source of your life in this fight?

The churches are empty - but so is the tomb, And Jesus is victor over death, doom, and gloom.

So this year at Easter, let this be our prayer, As the virus still rages all around, everywhere.

May the world see hope when it looks at God’s people. May the world see the church is not a building or steeple. May the world find Faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection, May the world find Joy in a time of dejection. May 2020 be known as the year of survival, But not only that - Let it start a revival.

What happens when our life is faced with the reality of Christ’s resurrection?

The resurrection changes everything.

John 20:15–16 ESV

15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).

John 20:18 ESV

18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.

In the Gospel of John, the reality of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is intertwined with the lives of three people.

The first person is Mary Magdalene

Her plans were to finish the burial custom for Jesus.

She experienced the Resurrected Lord—and her plans changed.

No longer needing to fulfil a ritual, Mary now becomes the first preacher of the Good News—Jesus is alive!

Principle:

The Resurrection Changes Our Plans.

Our plans may focus on our hopes and dreams—or maybe our plans focus on our safety and security.

But, when life intersects with the Resurrected Lord, everything changes—motivations change—actions change—priorities change.

The Resurrection moves us to go and tell.

The second person to be confronted with the Resurrection of Jesus was a disciple by the name of Thomas.

For Thomas, Jesus’ death was the end of the story.

In fact, he refused to believe the news of Jesus’ Resurrection.

John 20:25 ESV

25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

From Thomas’ perspective—resurrections just don’t happen.

But in Jesus’ love and grace, undeserved Thomas is confronted with the supernatural, miraculous truth—Jesus lives!

John 20:27–28 ESV

27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”

The Resurrection Changes Our Perspective.

I think we are like Thomas in many ways. Unless God does what we want—acts the way we want—we struggle to trust in Him.

Living by faith—is living by trusting in God—and what He says through His Word.

Jesus said: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

When we realize the truth of Christ’s Resurrection—instead of having perspectives influenced by fear, discouragement, and confusion—we can live confidently within the love and grace of God. Our whole outlook on life changes.

The third person to be confronted with the Resurrection of Jesus is the one who denied Jesus three times as Jesus was led to His crucifixion. Peter!

Peter was a leader—but he was also a coward.

Peter sees the Resurrected Lord—but is aware of his own failings.

Jesus asks Peter a question (three times)—a question that changes everything.

John 21:17 ESV

17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.

From fisherman and revolutionary—to preacher of the Good News—Peter was given a new purpose.

From this purpose—Jesus extended to Peter an invitation: “Follow Me.”

The Resurrection Changes Our Purpose.

When confronted with the reality of Christ’s Resurrection, our purpose in life changes (or should).

From selfishness to selflessness—the believer in Christ’s Resurrection embraces their new purpose: to worship God; to tell others the Good News of Jesus; and to help others grow in their relationship with God.

Our purpose becomes that of a servant—committed to honor God and love others.

Conclusion

Mary, Thomas, and Peter—three individuals that the Gospel points out how their lives were changed because of the Resurrection.

There is a fourth person—and that is you.

We have our plans, our perspectives, and our purposes—and when confronted with the miraculous reality of Christ’s Resurrection, everything changes.

And, it all begins with the same invitation Jesus extended to Peter: “Follow Me.”

How does a person accept this invitation?

Romans 10:9 ESV

9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

The Resurrection changes everything! Will you accept Christ’s invitation?

Prayer for Salvation