Easter Despair
Notes
Transcript
Story commentary
Imagining Mary Magdalene in the garden - I The easter story isn’t just about a glorious resurrection. Fear, Despair is a part of the story.
but no joy in life; complete loss of hope, no passion, see no purpose, no options
Resurrection overcomes death and despair
What leads to despair? Loss! Something we depended on is gone. Or we anticipate loss.
Man lost his job; a year later can’t find one? Experienced it, or anticipate that happening.
Divorce - brokenness, ongoing custody battle; Experienced it or anticipate it
Chronic or lingering medical condition; Experiencing it or anticipate it.
(e.g. NIH anticipating negative (told you I’ve internalized), postponement, inoperable, eye
Despair leads to
but no joy in life; complete loss of hope, no passion, see no purpose, no options
something we have lost, loss we anticipate loss
Won’t gloss over despair - loss is very real; won’t gloss over Mary’s despair over death, body
Cultural
death on a tree, no burial gods curse, decaying
the one you thought was the son of God is under God’s curse
no joy in life; complete loss of hope, no passion, see no purpose, no options
Annual Challenge (like Christmas, a new sermon?)
Resurrection - something we read, something we become; changed history v. changes us
What does Easter, Mary Magdalene show us about overcoming despair
2 things we can do, the rest is all God
1. Continue to Care - her location;
disciples who are confused, scared and hide v. stay and looking for Jesus’ lifeless body
E.g. devastating loss, working out, death grip (water aerobics) ; food ministry pour themselves into Christ’s service; loss is devasting
God’s call, plan doesn't end. Gifts don't disappear. Needs don’t God doesn't disappear
E.g. Frustrated w paperwork and with blindness to poverty within walking distance
Heart break for her husband, and heart breaking for the hungry and hurting
Grief is real, but not out of commission
no joy in life; complete loss of hope, no passion, see no purpose, no options
Resurrection overcomes death and despair
1. Confess Helplessness (where is he? Don’t know) (where laid? - I can’t; can’t notice; don’t see)
Notice completely helplessness - 3 part confessionI can’t; don’t know, can’t see Jesus;
the rest is all God, Joy comes from what God has done (resurrection) and is doing (appearing)
Not a simple cure
We won't all get it all back (dead, old job, health; Neither did they, gone in 40 days; JOY
Resurrection- not something we read, something we become; not history, but a present reality
Romans 6:5 (onscreen) - For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with,[a] that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. -
Present
Christ’s death is ours (die to sins); Christ’s resurrection (a new life that overcomes it)
What if we don’t? Teaser for next week?
We will struggle. Disciples in this story (the guys) continue their struggle...for a while
The old person will return; we will forget we don’t have to live with that;
the same power that raised Christ will raise us from the dead
Next few weeks: barriers to belief (not thought, but lived)
Fear; Doubt ; Uncertainty
but no joy in life; complete loss of hope, no passion, see no purpose, no options
Resurrection overcomes death and despair