Resurrection that brings hope
Last Sunday was a unique Resurrection Sunday; where the Church gathered together via online platforms and broke bread in communion using household pantry items like Jatz crackers. What a time we live in! Nonetheless, the significance of Jesus’ death and resurrection was celebrated, bringing joy to believers amidst the restricted times we find ourselves in.
To view the sermon online, click HERE.
When Jesus resurrected, his first witnesses were three women; Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James) and Salome. Though they believed in and loved Jesus as a rabbi, they were doubtful that he would conquer death. How can this be? In Mark 16, we read that these women “bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him [Jesus]” (verse 1).
Spices were involved in the embalming and burial of the deceased, and these women approached His tomb expecting to find Jesus’ corpse - instead they bore witness to a fulfilled prophecy and miracle.
The tomb was opened not so Jesus could exit the tomb, but so others could enter. In Mark 16:4-5 it says,
“And looking up, they [three women] saw that the stone had been rolled back - it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed”
The original, Greek translation for “dressed [or wearing] in a white robe” actually conveys a blinding luminescence, best described by the colour white. This heavenly messenger confirmed that “he is risen; he is not here,” (verse 6) and pointed these women to spread the Gospel. Jesus’ resurrection validates his crucifixion. An empty tomb would be meaningless if it did not signify the foretold resurrection. Jesus foretold his death and resurrection four separate times (Mark 8:31; 9:9, 10:32-34; 14:25) which was preceded by Old Testament predictions:
“On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death forever” - Isaiah 27:7
“I will not diet but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done. The Lord has chastened me severely, but he has not given me over to death” - Psalm 118:17-18
Jesus died, and resurrected in three-days time for me and you, dear Reader. He came to Earth to give us, mankind created in His image, a new life. When he died, the fully-human and fully-God life he led was not paused by the crucifixion. He was resurrected still fully-human and fully-God but with new life, and as a result, he offers those who would confess his name as Saviour and believe in their hearts that He is Lord (Romans 10:8), a new way of living. This involves the Holy Spirit, the advocate of Christ who stirs our spirit to do God’s will.
Jesus, by the will of God, can use whomever to bring glory to Himself. Even Peter was included in the unraveling of the Gospel across the Roman Empire, despite having denied Jesus on three separate occasions. Peter (which means ‘rock/firm’) who was originally addressed as Simon (which means ‘unstable’) courageously began the evangelistic mission to spread the Gospel. Peter performed the first miracle, after receiving the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8) and became the spokesperson on behalf of the disciples. The only explanation for Peter’s transformation from coward to courageous is the good, grace of God. This grace is offered to you and I, and I pray that we are reminded of this good gift everyday.
Dear Father God,
Thank you for dying for my sin and for resurrecting. In you I place my hope and my trust. I call you my father, Lord and Saviour. Help me to live with an infinite hope in you, because you always fulfill the promises you make. I pray to thank you for the unrelenting grace you offer to me and I exalt you as my faithful heavenly father.
In your name I pray,
Amen