The Tomb is Empty

Think how we left things Friday evening. The sanctuary went dark, the lights on the cross suddenly turned off, there was a tension, and abrupt end to the service. No final thought, no invitation, not prayer. Just an end.

But then comes Sunday, resurrection Sunday! The greeting He is risen!

The resurrection is a defining moment in the history of humankind and the Christian faith

Let’s us read John’s account

John 20:1–18 (NASB 2020) pew bible 727

1 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb, while it was still dark, and saw the stone already removed from the tomb.

2 So she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we do not know where they have put Him.”

3 So Peter and the other disciple left, and they were going to the tomb.

4 The two were running together; and the other disciple ran ahead, faster than Peter, and came to the tomb first;

5 and he stooped to look in, and saw the linen wrappings lying there; however he did not go in.

6 So Simon Peter also came, following him, and he entered the tomb; and he looked at the linen wrappings lying there,

7 and the face-cloth which had been on His head, not lying with the linen wrappings but folded up in a place by itself.

8 So the other disciple who had first come to the tomb also entered then, and he saw and believed.

9 For they did not yet understand the Scripture, that He must rise from the dead.

10 So the disciples went away again to their own homes.

11 But Mary was standing outside the tomb, weeping; so as she wept, she stooped to look into the tomb;

12 and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been lying.

13 And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they put Him.”

14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and yet she did not know that it was Jesus.

15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Thinking that He was the gardener, she said to Him, “Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you put Him, and I will take Him away.”

16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (which means, Teacher).

17 Jesus said to her, “Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.’ ”

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

The entirety of our faith revolves around this single event

It is so important that our coming to worship is traditionally tied to the resurrection

Every Sunday is supposed to serve as a reminder of the importance and power of the resurrection

Resurrection Sunday is so important that we have spent the last forty days of Lent preparing for it

Today the liturgical colors have changed from purple to gold. Look at your bulletin - have both last week and todays

We can also live in the power of the resurrection everyday of the week, we can share the power of the resurrection with a world plagued by sin and death

We also look forward to that day when we partake in the resurrection of dead

We rejoice that Jesus was raised, but also that we have been brought to life

This is why baptisms are often celebrated on Easter as we will this day.

When we are baptized we are united with the death and resurrection of Christ

As the people of God we are a resurrection people

The Garden

Mary Magdalene is filled with such great grief that she does not recognize Jesus

Someone wrote: “John is illustrating a theological truth here: the sin that entered the world in the garden is conquered in this new garden, through resurrection.”

Jesus is kind of a gardener causing new life to grow where there was once death

This however, is not where Mary was in her emotional state

She has lost her friend and teacher, how deeply she longed to see him again

Her hope in Jesus as Messiah was a mistake she might be thinking

Think about the times we experience deep grief as Mary in this moment, we can’t focus on any bigger picture.

Reflect on my grief over Uncle Larry

There have been studies done on the effects of grief on the brain

It turns out that our brains can shut themselves down to only the most basic functioning levels, making abstract and critical thinking difficult if not impossible.

This science could account for Mary’s confusion and inability to recognize Jesus.

Her only comfort in the loss is caring for His body

So of course she doesn’t recognize Jesus, she isn’t looking for a resurrection

Mission and Gospel

Think of what it means for Jesus to call her name - develop through relationship

It is in the calling of her name that she finally recognizes Jesus

And now Jesus gives her the task of being the first evangelist

No woman has ever recieved such a task

Jesus empowers Mary to share the gospel, the good news of Jesus’ resurrection!

She is now Mary the evangelist the first to witness the resurrected Christ

Mary teaches us that resurrection is something to be shared, its good news

We are a resurrection community, called out of sin and death to a resurrection of life

Now living in joyful expectation that just lust as Jesus was raised we too will one day be raised

With that hope we go into a hopeless world

Joining with the Holy Spirit in the good work of sowing the seed of resurrection

New Life from Death

Living a resurrected life means walking the difficult path to the cross

Where we lay down the things of the flesh, things tied to this world

Then in the newness of life we begin doing the hard things and going into unexpected places

We go trusting in the hope of the resurrection

Resurrection people do not fear but seek to bring hope, light, and life of resurrection to the lost people of this world

Resurrection people know that in the power of the Spirit we can do anything

The hope of resurrection is for all people, in all places, in all circumstances

Resurrection people are called to go even when it is hard and difficult

We are gifted by the Holy Spirit for that purpose

We declare through our words, lives, and actions that even the most forgotten, most forsaken places can be redeemed by God in resurrection hope!

Walla Walla is no different!

Baptism

Baptism is the initiating act into the resurrection community

The water symbolizes both a cleansing and a being brought out of death into a new resurrection life

When we baptize others, we welcome them into this community

Inviting them to join us as resurrection people

We also remember our own identity as a resurrection people

We have that privilege today we have those who desire to be baptized, which we will do in a couple of minutes

First let’s read together the Apostle’s Creed

Next I want us to welcome some transfers into Amazing Grace - Beebe’s and Anderson’s

“It gives me pleasure on behalf of this church to welcome you into our membership. We trust that we will be a source of encouragement and strength to you and that you, in turn, will be a source of blessing and help to us. May the Lord richly bless you in the salvation of souls and in the advancement of His kingdom.”

Next let’s welcome some new Nazarene’s - Davis’s and Shepherd’s

I have taken you through the the articles of faith and you have just recited with the church apostles creed. Thereby affirming the doctrine and practices of the church of The Nazarene.

I welcome you into the Church of the Nazarene and the fellowship of this local congregation with its benefits and responsibilities. May the great Head of the Church bless and keep you, and enable you to be faithful in all good works, that your life and witness may be effective in care for the poor and oppressed and in leading others to Christ.

HAND THEM THEIR CERTIFICATES AND MANUALS

Now let us enter into a time of baptism

Chad Gutierrez and Ross Andersen

Take their confessions

Having recited the Apostle’s Creed serving as a declaration of faith

Will you be baptized into this faith?

If so respond: I will.

Do you acknowledge Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, and do you realize that He saves you now?

If so Respond: I do by faith

Will you obey God’s holy will and keep His commandments, walking in them all the days of your life?

If so Respond: With God’s help I will.

Based on your confession I will now baptize you.

Do you have any words?