Sermon for Easter Sunday Died, Buried and Rose CHRIST IS RISEN! He is risen indeed. Our Easter text is from the 24 th chapter of Luke, Luke 24:1 Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. Verse 1 of John, chapter 20, On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. Who was this Mary? She was the one, according to St. Mark, out of whom Christ had cast seven devils. She was a believer that Jesus was Lord. Certainly both the evidence of the stone taken away from the tomb and her seeing that His body was no longer there would move her to exclaim, Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! That is certainly what we would expect from the defenders of Christianity today who believe it so important to provide evidence that the tomb was empty. Their argument is that if you can prove that the tomb is empty, the only reasonable conclusion to make is that Jesus rose from the dead. For certainly, they argue, the Jews would not have taken the body; the Romans would not have removed the body since they were to guard it and if the disciples stole the body, why would they permit themselves to be martyred for what they knew to be a lie if indeed he had not risen from the dead. Persuasive reasoning but not persuasive enough for Mary. When she and the other women with her leave the tomb, she meets John and Peter. She does not speak of His resurrection but says instead, They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him. Why would not the evidence of an empty tomb convince her that He rose? She is not the only one for whom such evidence is inadequate to persuade one that Jesus has risen. So much for the pundits who think that demonstrating that the tomb was empty removes reasonable barriers to believe that Jesus rose from the dead. In fact, later that morning, it is that Mary after returning to the tomb thinks Jesus is the gardener and asks him where he has taken the body.
Easter Sunday 2 Died, Burised and Rose But if an empty tomb could not persuade Mary, how come it appears that it did move John to believe. Or did it? While John arrives at the tomb first, he did not enter right away as did Peter. Apparently the sight from outside the tomb of the linen cloths lying there as well as the stone rolled away stopped John in his tracks. Impetuous Peter, on the other hand, ran right past John into the empty tomb. Verse 8 tells us that John finally went in also; and he saw and believed. Is that not proof sufficient that the empty tomb convinced him that Jesus rose from the dead? Ought we therefore be about the business of proving historically from even documents outside the Scripture that the tomb was empty so that others, like John, might believe? But wait a moment. Was it the fact that the tomb was empty that persuaded John to believe? A careful reading of the text points to something else that persuaded at least John to believe. Verses 6 and 7 reveal what else they saw; namely, the linen cloths lying there, and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. The strips of cloth that had been wound in spirals around the body of Jesus were lying there undisturbed. A thief would not have stopped to remove the linen cloths and had he done so they would not be lying in such an orderly way. Moreover, the handkerchief around the head were carefully rolled or folded up and lying in a separate place. For John, that was clear evidence that Jesus had gone forth out of the bandages in which His body had been surrounded without disturbing them! And the head bandages had been leisurely refolded by one who was not in any hurry to divest Himself of that for which He no longer had any need. Whether Jesus Himself had folded them or an angel who attended the empty tomb, it demonstrates the orderliness of the resurrection and the careful preparing of the empty tomb for the arrival of the disciples. Back to John, who according to verse 8, is said to have believed after seeing the scene at the tomb. The first point is that faith was present not so much because the tomb was empty but because of the way that the linen cloths had been left by the One Who, only a short time before, had been wrapped in them. Unlike Lazarus, who had to be helped out of his grave cloths, this Jesus had simply risen through them. Remembering that John is said to have believed, we are somewhat surprised at the next verse 9, For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise
Easter Sunday 3 Died, Burised and Rose again from the dead. Isn t that confusing? How could John at the same time believe and yet not know the Scriptures? The answer not only helps us in witnessing to others but also in understanding just what John believed. First of all, we need to remind ourselves who is the writer of this Gospel. It is none other than John himself. What he writes here is hard for him to pen because he is making an admission that his faith is no better at this point than that of doubting Thomas. In fact, in this very same chapter we find the incident when Thomas would not believe the other disciples who had seen the Lord unless as he put it, I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails and put my hand into His side. John s point is clear and it is a point that is somewhat embarrassing for him to admit. Yes, he did believe that Jesus rose from the dead but he as yet did not know the Scripture that He must rise from the dead. So, what s the big difference? we ask. It s a huge difference between believing that Jesus rose from the dead and believing that the Scripture reveals that He must rise from the dead. If you only believe that Jesus rose from the dead apart from Scripture, such belief even the devils have and they tremble. In fact, is John also not one of the disciples on that Easter evening who cowered behind closed doors for fear of the Jews when Jesus appeared in their midst? How can we understand such fear on John s part if he believed that Jesus rose from the dead? Because knowing that Jesus rose from the dead is not sufficient faith to understand why He rose. As John reports Jesus saying to Thomas, Because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. What is the point? It is the point made at the time of the Reformation; namely, that historic faith is not sufficient saving faith. In other words, you can believe the historic events as stated by the second article of the Apostles Creed that Jesus was born, suffered, died, and rose but that assent to such events will not bring joy or peace. It did not for John or the rest of the disciples when they heard of the empty tomb and even when John and perhaps others believed that He rose from the dead. Why is this true? Because the belief in the events of what happened Christmas, Good Friday and Easter Sunday is not adequate to save anyone. Remember, the devils believe that such events took place and they tremble. The trembling only stopped when Jesus appeared to them in the upper room that night
Easter Sunday 4 Died, Burised and Rose and said those words that signified the purpose of His death and resurrection, Peace be with you. Put yourself in the place of the disciples. You are a group of His followers Who when He really needed you, fell asleep in the Garden, betrayed Him, denied Him and fled from Him. His resurrection from the dead would not be good news to those who even believed that He rose if they did so apart from the Scriptures. Because it is only the Scriptures that give meaning and hope and joy to His resurrection. Apart from knowing the reason why He rose, you too will end up cowering in an upper room in fear of men because you are not sure that God is coming back to get you for your sins of desertion, betrayal and denial. Think of it for a moment. What good is it to those who do not think they are sinners that Jesus rose from the dead? So what? they say. That may be true but it doesn t mean much to me. The Pharisees are the example of those who even recognize that He rose but still have no saving faith. On the other hand, what good is it to those who realize that they are sinners deserving of temporal and eternal death that Jesus rose from the dead? The fact of an empty tomb and that He rose simply means that we, as sinners, are going to have to face Him again. That s why the devils tremble for whom the cross and resurrection provide no hope of salvation and that s why the disciples cower in fear in an upper room for whom the cross and the resurrection in themselves provide no hope of salvation. What is needed for the disciples is for the Word Himself or the Word itself to give meaning. The Word Himself did give meaning in that upper room as His first words were Peace be with you. How many times have you and I worried about meeting someone after we had done or said something that should have made them very angry? What a relief it is to have them forgive us or not place what we did against us. That s why the letter of Paul to the Corinthians does not simply report that Jesus died, was buried and rose. Listen carefully to the verse, For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received; that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that he was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. Note the application Paul attaches to his death, burial and resurrection; namely, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.
Easter Sunday 5 Died, Burised and Rose It was that which was lacking in John s belief in the resurrection. He believed that Christ arose but as yet he did not know the Scriptures. He was left with a miraculous event but with no understanding that God was not coming back to get him for his sins. Can you understand why so many people are not joyous during Easter? It is not because they have not been convinced that He rose; perhaps, some might even agree that He has as they have agreed that He died. But apart from Scripture both the crucifixion and the resurrection are scary prospects for those who realize their sinful condition but do not realize the meaning of those events. Yes, we Christians today rejoice and sing loudly that Christ died and rose. But it is not just that He rose that moves us to joy and tears; it is that He died and rose for us that moves faith from simple assent to trust and confidence. Apart from the Scriptures that reveal the reason for the season, this past Friday would be known as Evil Friday, not Good Friday and this morning would be known as resurrection of the Judge rather than resurrection of our Savior. You who think that salvation occurs because you believe that He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried and even rose from the dead. Think again. Saving faith is not assent to these events. Rather saving faith is confidence in the promises of the Gospel attached to these events and bestowed on you through the waters of baptism. The Gospel promises the forgiveness of sins, the receiving of His robe of righteousness, eternal life and full salvation in this world and the next. Therefore, we don t have the faith of John which led him to cower in the upper room and the devils to tremble but the faith of Abraham who believed and to him it was counted for righteousness. Yes, Christ is risen indeed but even more so, He has risen FOR YOU!!!! Amen. May the resurrection of Jesus Christ which does pass all understanding, sustain us in the one true faith of Jesus as our gracious and merciful Savior forever and ever. Amen.
Easter Sunday 6 Died, Burised and Rose C: Easter: The Resurrection of Our Lord (Revised Lutheran Lectionary) 3/31/13 Hymn of the Day: 458 Christ Jesus Lay In Death s Strong Bands Isaiah 65:17-24 17. "For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered or come to mind. 18. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem as a rejoicing, and her people a joy. 19. I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in My people; the voice of weeping shall no longer be heard in her, nor the voice of crying. 20. "No more shall an infant from there live but a few days, nor an old man who has not fulfilled his days; for the child shall die one hundred years old, but the sinner being one hundred years old shall be accursed. 21. They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. 22. They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for as the days of a tree, so shall be the days of My people, and My elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. 23. They shall not labor in vain, nor bring forth children for trouble; for they shall be the descendants of the blessed of the Lord, and their offspring with them. 24. "It shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear. 1 Corinthians 15:19-26 19. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. 20. But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming. 24. Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. 25. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. 26. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.
Easter Sunday 7 Died, Burised and Rose Luke 24:1-12 1. Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. 2. But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4. And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. 5. Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6. "He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, 7. "saying, `The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.' '' 8. And they remembered His words. 9. Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles. 11. And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them. 12. But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened.