Introduction

Good morning, my dear friends. It is a joy to gather together, as we do each week, to celebrate the grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. There is an extraordinary comfort in knowing that we are bound by a love that transcends our earthly existence. Today, we come together to focus on a most significant event in Christian history, an event that gives us hope, strength, and courage - the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In the Gospel of John, chapter 20, verses 1-18, we read:

"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!' ... Jesus said to her, 'Mary.' She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, 'Rabboni!' (which means 'Teacher'). Jesus said, 'Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.' Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: 'I have seen the Lord!' And she told them that he had said these things to her."

Revelation of the Resurrection

The first witness to this divine revelation was Mary Magdalene. She came to the tomb while it was still dark, expecting to find the body of her beloved Teacher. But instead, she found an empty tomb. The stone had been rolled away. Her first reaction was one of confusion and fear. She thought that someone had taken the Lord's body. But soon, her confusion turned into joyous realization when she encountered the risen Christ. This encounter was not just a personal experience for Mary. It was a revelation of a divine truth that was meant to be shared with the world.

The divine truth revealed in the Resurrection is not just about the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ. It's about the triumph of life over death, of love over hate, of hope over despair. It's about the promise of eternal life for all who believe in Christ. This divine truth is not confined to the pages of the Bible. It's a living truth that continues to resonate in the hearts and minds of believers today.

The Resurrection is also a revelation of God's power. The power that brought Jesus back from the dead is the same power that is at work in the lives of believers today. This power is not a force to be feared, but a source of strength and hope. It's the power that enables us to face our trials with courage, to endure our hardships with patience, and to overcome our challenges with faith.

The Resurrection is a revelation of God's love. The love that led Jesus to the cross is the same love that brought Him back from the dead. This love is not a fleeting emotion, but a steadfast commitment. It's a love that is willing to sacrifice, to suffer, and to die for the sake of others. This love is not just a divine attribute, but a divine commandment. It's a love that we are called to emulate in our relationships with others.

The Resurrection is a revelation of God's promise. The promise that Jesus made to His disciples before His death is the same promise that He fulfilled through His Resurrection. This promise is not just a divine assurance, but a divine invitation. It's an invitation to participate in the divine life, to share in the divine glory, and to partake in the divine banquet. This promise is not just a future hope, but a present reality. It's a promise that we can experience here and now, in our daily walk with Christ.

Rejoicing in the Resurrection

As we turn our hearts and minds to the joyous reality of the Resurrection, let us first consider the transformative power of this event ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO