The Empty Tomb
Luke 24:21-34
Introduction-
Last week we looked at Palm Sunday and Jesus coming into Jerusalem to finish what He had started. It was His triumphant entry into Jerusalem where we saw a crowd of people hailing Him one minute and cursing Him the next.
Maundy Thursday- Last supper and Jesus betrayal.
Good Friday- Jesus sentenced to die on the cross. Friday in itself is not good.
But Church, Sunday is coming!
Death for Jesus was not the end. It did not stop there. If it did, we would all still be lost in our sins. Death was not the end of the story.
Friday- pain Hebrews 2:18
“Since Jesus went through suffering and temptation, he knows what it is like when we suffer and are tempted, and he is able to help us.”
Saturday- confusion Matthew 26:36-39
“Jesus took his disciples with him to Gethsemane and said stay here with me while I pray. Then he took Peter, James, and John a little farther. He was filled with anguish and deep distress, and he said to them, my heart is so overwhelmed and crushed with sorrow that I feel like I am dying. Just sit here and watch with me.”
Sunday- Day of celebration
“Jesus said I am the resurrection and the life’ whoever believes in me, even though they die, will live again. I give them eternal life for believing in me and they will never perish.”
Now comes the good stuff!
We live on the Sunday side of the cross. He did it! It is finished! Meaning that Jesus Christ was crucified, He died, He was buried, that is a fact! If it would stop there, there is no celebration!
But God… resurrected Jesus Christ and that church has changed everything!
Most that have died remain dead.
I pray this morning that the Holy Spirit of God would be given freedom to flow through us to minister to our heart and our needs and He is able to answer some questions that we may have.
To many, they know enough about Jesus and Easter to know it is important, but few understand what it means to us.
To those that feel they control their lives, the cross, death, talking about the blood, needing a savior, getting saved, surrendering our lives, to them the cross seems foolish.
1 Cor. 1:18-
“The message of the cross is foolishness to those that are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
Acts 4:12
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
J.E.S.U.S.
Jesus came to Jerusalem
Jesus was betrayed.
Jesus was arrested.
Jesus was crucified.
Jesus was dead, not hurt, but dead, clinically dead.
Jesus was buried, not a Houdini act. Buried.
But this is not the end of the story.
Luke 24:1-12 Read from Bible
True believers have no doubt that he lived among us, died for our sins, and three days later was resurrected to life, conquering the sting of death, offering the human race the greatest gift ever- His sacrificial love.
Christianity would be worthless if all we had was a good man that died for a cause. That happens everyday where good people sacrifice for what they believe in. the difference, the big difference is the grave did not hold Jesus down. His resurrection means salvation for our souls if we will trust in the resurrected Jesus.
2 questions that you have to ask yourself about this Jesus;
1. What does the resurrected Jesus mean to us?
2. What does the resurrected Jesus me to me? Personal.
First, what does it mean for us-
It means no more sacrificing animals. Animals were sacrificed for our atonement of sins. They were given to God for our sins because all sin has to be atoned for. A perfect God cannot overlook sin. Jesus became the perfect sacrifice. God who had no sin, accepted Jesus as our sacrifice. He became our replacement. He did what we could not do for ourselves. I love you this much and stretched out His arms and died on the cross for you and I. he had everyone of us in mind when He did it. Some worship the cross, Christians worship a risen savior. The empty cross is our victory. It is why death has no more sting in it. The empty cross is where our hope comes from.
Illustration-
I think the example of that is where Jesus has been risen and He is walking down the Emmaus road.
Luke 24:21 they are walking with Jesus and did not know it
Luke 24:21-24 Read
Jesus responds 25-29 they ask Him to stay and join them.
Very important- stay with me- Luke 24:30-35 Read
“Their eyes were opened and they recognized him.”
“Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened up the scriptures to us.”
“It is true, the Lord has risen and appeared to Simon.”
That is what Jesus offers to us- not blind faith or blind hope. Hope that comes from the cross and His resurrection.
“ why do you look for the living among the dead. He is not here. He is risen.”
2nd question- what does his death and resurrection mean to you?
It just became personal. That is what he offers mankind, but now what are you going to do with it?
“Their eyes were opened… I am praying for you that even now the Lord will open hearts and minds.
Death by Adam, life through Christ. Jesus made the first move.
“But God demonstrated his own love for us in this’ while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
He offers life.
“And the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who lives in you.”
Even doubting Thomas when he met Jesus on the road realized who he was, fell on His knees- My Lord, and My God.”
Take God out of the box for a moment- do you think they could keep the creator of the universe locked up in a cave with a rock stuck in front of the doorway with a few soldiers with a spear?
To some it may sound foolish, but I trusting god to speak to you this morning.
Dead man walking because of God’s love for us. God loves you and that gives us hope that is real and He is alive!
The angel says to the disciples and he says to us
“ Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here. He is risen just as He said He would. Come and see the place where he was.”
To those that believe it is much more than ham dinner and Easter eggs… it is the power of God.
The message God brings is that soldiers, seals, stones, can never hold God or stop God.
No matter how bad this world gets it or how terrible we treat each other- God loves us.
William Gladstone
Who was the Prime Minister 4 times said- “Tell me what the young men of England are doing Sunday Morning and I will tell you what the future of England will be.”
To the fact-finders- we have proof. Documented proof from eye witnesses and no matter they tried to cover it up they could not. The resurrection happened.
I have a diploma that hangs in my office. It says that I have done all the required work needed to be a Nazarene pastor. It states that they have even ordained me and put their blessing upon my accomplishments.
This is not how I know this is true- I know this is true because my savior lives inside of me. I have a personal relationship with Him and if no one believes, I would still know it is true.
Jesus made outrageous claims-
I am God
You must worship me
I am God and I come in human form to die for you
I am the only way to heaven.
He said this throughout His ministry. Lots of people through history have said they were God, but the difference is no one has been a witness to their resurrection and no one has died and come back to life except Jesus Christ.
He did what he said. He kept his word and His promises.
Closing
He changed history- the only reason people don’t believe is because they choose not to believe. You have a choose right now. You can choose to believe. You can choose to serve God and make it a relationship instead of an agreement.
Reach out to Jesus
Remember and stand on His promises.
Rely on the power of God
It is a game changer! He is the resurrection, and He resurrects those that believe to eternal life with Him
Jesus that day fulfilled everything that He said.
He split history into two- those that believe, and those that choose not too- which one are you?
