Resurrection Sunday 2021

Introduction:

Friday night we left our Good Friday service in silence. Silence because of the solemnity of the occasion; Christ died. This morning, we can tell the rest of the story. The end of the story is not at the foot of the cross it continues in an empty tomb. Christ arose, early on the first day of the week.

Did you know that’s why we gather for worship on the first day of the week? In one sense, every Sunday morning we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The resurrection of Christ is mentioned in Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20, and 1 Corinthians 15.

This morning, I want us to consider two questions from Luke 24 as we together celebrate Christ’s resurrection. I will close with a question asking us to consider an appropriate response to the resurrection.

If you have your bibles with you, I invite you to turn to our text: Luke 24:1-12.

Shall we pray?

Almighty God and Loving Father we are grateful that Jesus’ story did not end in death. As we consider the resurrection of Christ, we pray the quickening work of the Holy Spirit embolden us to respond to the resurrection in a way appropriate to the occasion. Free our minds from distraction as we consider your word this morning.

In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

I. Why do you seek the living among the dead? (v. 5)

I invite you to think with me the first question, look at verse 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 24:5, ESV)

Matthew, Mark, and Luke all relate the story of these women as they went to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body (Mark 16:2) because they could not do that before because of the Sabbath.

When they arrived at the tomb, they found the stone which blocked entrance to the tomb was rolled away and Jesus’ dead body was missing.

Two angels in blazing garments (possibly Michael and Gabriel) asked them: Why do you seek the living among the dead?

They went on to say: “He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.”” (Luke 24:6–7, ESV)

The answer seems obvious to me. They were not there seeking the living; they were there seeking the dead.

I wonder, on a day like today, what kind of Jesus are you looking for?

A Jesus who is dead; that is, not relevant to what really matters; whose power is reserved for the very old and near death; who only has eternal significance?

Or a Jesus who is alive, who ascended into heaven and sat at the right hand of God. He rules as our king which indicates his relevance, and practical significance.

That the women expected to see Jesus’ body is understandable because they were witnesses to the horrific crucifixion. They expected Jesus’ body to be there. We know this because they brought the spices used to properly prepare the body for burial; something they probably wanted to do because of their love for Christ.

Instead, they were reminded that Jesus told them we would “be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise”.

Matthew records Jesus telling his disciples this three times. The first time he told them if found in Matthew 16:21; the second time Matthew 17:22-23; and the third time in Matthew 20:18-19. All three times he clearly told them he would rise on the third day.

Son of Man was a favorite title for Christ. When he used that title, he connected himself to the expected Messiah who would deliver his people.

We find out that deliverance came through death and resurrection. Which brings us to the second question.

II. Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer and enter his glory? (v. 26)

Jesus asked this question to two of his disciples who left Jerusalem and was going toward Emmaus.

Look at verse 26: “Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?”” (Luke 24:26, ESV)

Why was it necessary that Christ suffered death?

It is impossible for us to save ourselves.

Paul wrote: “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1, ESV)

Jesus said: “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.” (John 6:44, ESV)

Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin:

“Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” (Hebrews 9:22, ESV)

We would still own our sin debt if Jesus had not died and rose again.

“And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.” (1 Corinthians 15:17, ESV)

Our loved ones who have died are gone forever and we will never see them again.

“Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.” (1 Corinthians 15:18, ESV)

But Paul concludes that Christ did indeed rise from the dead and because he lives, we have life.

“Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:3–4, ESV)

Secondly,

Jesus was raised so that he could enter his glory. The ascension of Christ not only guarantees our resurrection, it also communicates a present reality; Christ is right now at the right hand of God.

Peter speaks of this when he describes the benefit of Spirit Baptism: “... through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.” (1 Peter 3:21–22, ESV)

Additionally, Christ’s ascension points to his eminent return. When Jesus ascended, two angels (probably the same two in the tomb) said: “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”” (Acts 1:11, ESV)

This is great news, right! But so what? What do we do with this good news?

III. What is a response to the resurrection?

When we look at the text we will notice a couple of responses to the resurrection.

Jesus:

“As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.””

“and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.” (Luke 24:46–48, ESV)

And we know that Jesus called them witnesses just before he ascended into heaven: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”” (Acts 1:8–11, ESV)

He continued his Father’s work. He called his disciples to faith and obedience; he ascended into heaven where he now reigns. In other words, it’s more than a story with a happy ending.

After hearing the good news, the women went to tell the disciples: “and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 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, but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.” (Luke 24:9–11, ESV)

You will notice that there report was not initially believed. Don’t worry when people don’t believe you when you tell them good news about Jesus Christ.

You are not responsible for their response. If God chooses, he will give them the faith to believe, just like he did for the disciples.

Let’s together spread the news of Jesus’ death and resurrection. We do this every time we celebrate the LORD’s supper. We together tell the story of God’s forgiveness through Christ in this meal.

Paul said: “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” (1 Corinthians 11:26, ESV)

Shall we pray?