Easter: The Resurrection - A Story of Hope

Text: Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!" So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus' head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. John 20:1-8

There is Hope!!!
Jesus Christ is that hope. How significant an event, an empty tomb? What happens after death?

Here are a few things that happened on this day that gave us hope:

1.) The significance of the ROLLED STONE. v. 1-3 - Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!" So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. God doesn't need permission, despite Pilate's decision for death. Who needed the stone rolled away? Jesus? No, those who needed the evidence of divine power. 2 Peter 1:3 says, "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." There were far more powerful things to see behind that stone than death.

2.) The significance of the STRIPS of LINEN. vv. 5-7a He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus' head. The realization of an empty tomb fulfilled the power Jesus had over death by telling the disciples He would return from the grave. Jesus did not just come back from the dead and leave His place of death, He left what represented death where it belonged and put on robes of righteousness.

3.) The significance of the FOLDED LINEN. v.7b - The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. It was jewish custom, in that day, for a master at a meal, to fold his clothe when leaving the table. This signified that he was to return. Knowing this custom, John saw what Jesus was doing by folding His linen. He meant to return.

4.) The significance of BELIEF. v. 8 - Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. He HAS risen. You can believe. John 11:25 says, "Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies...", Romans 4:25 tells us that, "He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.", and Romans 10:9 states, "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

Worship: The Triumphal Entry - The Art of Praising

Text: As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away." This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: "Say to the Daughter of Zion, 'See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.' " The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Hosanna in the highest!" When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?" The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee." Matthew 21:1-11

Worship is a 168 hour a week lifestyle, not just on sunday. We see in Acts 2:43 that EVERYONE was filled with Awe, they had a spirit expecting, a spirit of anticipation, with wonder.

1.) The AWE factor - v.10-11. When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?" The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee." When we come to know the One true God, our initial introduction is usually the most awesome, "Who is this man?" He has authority beyond what we can grasp. In Matthew 7:28 we see that people were amazed at the teachings of Jesus, they were AMAZED! In Matthew 8, He cleaned a man with leprosy, in chapter 9, made a lame man walk. When the crowds saw His miracles, the scripture says they were filled with awe. Everywhere Jesus went people were amazed.
Psalm 68:34 "Proclaim the power of God....Praise be to God!"

2.) The AHA factor - v.11. The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee." We recognize we have experienced the God who....reveals.....finds...and saves. The God we have felt when we have done wrong. "This is Jesus Christ." When realizing who He was, they laid down the "red" carpet. 1 Timothy 1:15-17, "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen." AHA!

3.) The ALLELUIA factor - v.9. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Hosanna in the highest!" You can't heop but praise Him when you are consumed by Him. Psalm 117, "Praise the Lord, all you nations"....Psalm 150:6, "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord."

Halleluia!!