Resurrection Sunday message

The resurrection of Jesus changes everything! When Jesus’ burial place was found to be empty … the world changed forever!! When those devoted women visited the tomb … they expected to witness death, but instead found life! After a short period of uncertainty and confusion, their sense of hopelessness began to turn toward hope. These women remembered what Jesus had said – they had been there in Galilee when he said it. They remembered what Jesus had said … about being raised back to life on the third day. This was hard to believe at the time – very much out of the ordinary … indeed extraordinary – but has turned out to be true! Awesome!! And new faith was born that day! 

It actually did make sense … when you think about it. God - who created the world out of nothing - could NOT possibly be beaten by any band of people, so intent on their own way ... that they crucified Jesus. They couldn’t win, evil cannot win, death cannot win! Only God wins!! And Jesus was innocent after all!! The resurrection does actually make sense. Jesus did heal others, and himself ... raised people from the dead. God was all over this!

First, God transforms the death of His Son on the cross ... into the path of forgiveness and salvation, and then raises Jesus from the dead … to be the leader of a new spiritual Kingdom. Everything changes at Easter! The women told Peter, the disciple, who was completely deflated by both Jesus’ death and his own failure. Peter initially doubted the news, like many would have – but at least he was smart enough to run to the tomb … to check it all out. 

Ultimately, when they met up with Jesus in person, Peter and all the other disciples came to believe that indeed Jesus had risen from the dead. There were still the physical signs of crucifixion - this was assuredly their friend and master ... Jesus. A man ... that they knew had been killed two days ago … was there with them, asking for something to eat. That this Jesus was also God in the flesh … was seen in his freedom of movement, preparing to return to be with his Father. 

Why is all this so important? Many people live in desperate circumstances. They have lost hope. They have fallen into one addiction or another. Sadly, some people hurt themselves, as their spirit sinks. Some days we ourselves can even feel quite anxious and hopeless. Various pressures come upon us. The world, as we look at it, is very messy and full of problems. Our very soul becomes bruised. As I spoke about on Good Friday, the ancient prophet Isaiah had called out for God to tear open the heavens and come to His rebellious, desperate and hurting people on earth (64:1), for this would be our only ultimate hope. In the fullness of time, in the person of Jesus, this is what happened. [And at the moment when Jesus died ... when the curtain of the temple was torn in two - this symbolised a new and open access to God.] 

Today we celebrate the greatest of all turnarounds. What seemed to be defeat for Jesus’ followers of the day ... their leader being killed on a cross – becomes a victory, as One ... who was dead in a tomb ... rises to live again! It’s NOT as if the crucifixion never happened, or is now forgotten. It certainly happened - it can't be forgotten. It just means that all the forgiveness gained through the cross event, now has a new vehicle through which to thrive and multiply. Followers of Jesus aren’t just forgiven … and then stationary – followers of Jesus are forgiven … and on the move! 

The cross is NOT the end, but rather the beginning … the new beginning. And it is the resurrection of Jesus that takes us forward. This is NOT our old life with a ‘band-aid’, but rather a totally new life. This is NOT a solitary pursuit, but rather a new life launched in partnership with Jesus (in the company of others). This is a new life focussed totally on Jesus … while looking outwards towards all the needs (small and large) around us. We get to learn from all our mistakes, and see them transformed into ways of helping others.

So, the resurrection of Jesus can be our resurrection too!!! As God raises Jesus, all followers of Jesus are raised too! Today is a day to be joyful, walk tall, almost walk on air … as Jesus himself walked on the surface of the water (even when the conditions were quite rough). We have moved from brokenness to new creation, and from an old sense of failure toward new purpose. 

It’s like we are there in Jesus’ tomb. Such has been the weight of life upon us. But then, the stone [covering the entrance] is rolled away – light floods into the deepest caverns of darkness, and we are awakened to the possibility that there is new life available. We don’t actually start again from birth – a shame for some of us at our age; but in another way we should be bursting out of those eggs with new vitality – for JESUS is ALIVE, and so are WE!! I, like many, get down-in-the-dumps at times … life can be very frustrating; but today is a day for us to remember the positive possibilities and celebrate! For those who are struggling – can I say with empathy and understanding – Jesus who was dead is now alive! This changes everything!! 

Many here today are witnesses to the reality of Jesus’ resurrection (even though none of us witnessed this in a historical sense, for this all happened 2000 years ago). Yet ever since billions of people have staked their lives, sometimes at mortal risk, on the reality and power of Jesus’ resurrection. In this, the first disciples, with new found courage, led the way. Many ‘believers’, over the centuries, have made a significant difference in the communities and nations they have lived in. Many have shared their faith with their families and neighbours. Most have found ways of worshipping Jesus and serving God in faith-filled communities. Since the Holy Spirit brought further witness to Jesus … through a broad sweep of spiritual gifts - God has NOT left the world unattended! 

As I said, none of us witnessed Jesus’ resurrection when it occurred back 2000 years ago, but many of us here can clearly testify to the reality and power of Jesus’ resurrection, because of what has happened in our lives. And testify we must! That is what today is about! Celebrating and speaking about something that changed the world … and can continue to do so!! Jesus' resurrection has become our resurrection too!