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He is not here; for he has risen…— Luke 24:6
It’s only been a week since Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. The fickle crowd quickly changed their shouts of “Hosanna in the highest!” to “Crucify him!” when Jesus didn’t do what they wanted him to do. Now he was dead and in grave three days.
A few women set out that early that Easter morning to perform some last rites at the tomb. They came expecting death, instead, they found an empty tomb. Jesus was not dead, he was alive!
That day changed human history. It was a day when God broke into this world, severed the chains of sin and death, and gave us victory as he rose from the dead. Through faith in Jesus as our Lord and savior, we become Easter people, people of the resurrection.
What exactly do resurrection people look like?
1. Resurrection people SEARCH FOR JESUS.
The angels told the women that they were looking in the wrong place for a live person. But at least the women were searching. That is more than we can say for the disciples. They were huddled in fear and despair behind locked doors! But Jesus came to them, just as He does to us, through the Good News of the Gospel and the Holy Sacraments, calling us to faith.
2. Resurrection people REMEMBER GOD’S WORD.
The angels reminded the women what Jesus had told them – how he must be “delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.” We all need reminders, even more reason to be in digging God’s Word regularly, at home and at church.
3. Resurrection people BELIEVE THE GOOD NEWS.
Again, the women of Easter morning do much better than the disciples. From the moment these women heard the good news that our crucified Lord had arisen, they believed it. But the news seemed like nonsense to the disciples. Jesus kept appearing to them, and keeps revealing himself to us, calling us to faith, to believe in the promise of the resurrection.
4. Resurrection people SHARE THE GOOD NEWS.
The women of the first Easter shared the Good News with others around them. They were the first resurrection evangelists! They were so excited to share it. We might ask today, “Who did you bring with you?”
Resurrection faith is something that searches, remembers, believes, and shares. Let’s be people of the resurrection this Easter!
Pastor Dan
ANNOUNCEMENTS
· Special Musicians joining us this festive morning: James Binion (baritone) and Frank Burmudez (trumpet & French horn). Also thank you to Sandra Baran (piano) and our other song leaders Sera Butz, Jaydha King, Dianne Breznen, and Pastor Baker.
· A special thank you to everyone that donated the Easter Lilies and to the Sallenbach Family for the beautiful palms adorning the sanctuary this morning.
· Following the service today we will behaving an Easter Egg hunt for the children! Enjoy watching them search and share in the joy of Easter!
· Please join us after worship for a delicious lunch in the Fellowship Hall.
· We are having Vacation Bible School on June 24-25-26 from 6:30-8:00 pm. We need volunteers - contact Kaitlyn Hallett to sign up. Registration for youth 1st to 5th grade (ages 6-12) will open at a later date.
· Our condolences to the family and friends of Susan Jeffries, a friend of Katherine Summers (her caregiver), who joined the saints triumphant this past Thursday.
· Sera Butz will be our guest preacher next Sunday. Come hear her share the Good News!
