The Resurrection: How Can Something So Old Be So Fresh?

The Resurrection: How can something so Old be so Fresh?

Easter Sunday 07’

Shannon Lewis

Living Springs A/G

Bandera, Texas

www.lsagbandera.com

John 20: 1-16

1Now 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.2So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.”3So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb.4Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.5And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in.6Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there,7and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’* head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself.8Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed;9for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.10Then the disciples went back to their homes.

11But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb.12And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet.13They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.”14Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus.15Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”16Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic,* “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).

The day that Mary, Peter and John went to the tomb marked the 3rd day since Jesus’ crucifixion. This event would mark the defeat of death! Jesus was crucified, buried and rose from the dead on the third day; thus signifying that death could not hold him.

Had Jesus not risen from the dead, we would have no cause to be celebrating his life on this Easter morning. Had Jesus not risen from the dead, there would be no hope for our future or promise of a resurrection. Jesus conquered death, hell and the grave and because of this He has given hope to us that we too, like him would be raised from the dead to live for all eternity with him!

In John 20, we find that Jesus asks Mary to take the news of His resurrection to his disciples. Mary would be the first to tell the Easter story to anyone! For two millennia Christ-Followers have been preaching and sharing this same story of how Jesus was dead and is now alive! Songs have been written and recorded declaring this wonderful news that the Savior Lives! Books have been written and published detailing this spectacular event in history. Movies have been shot and produced depicting the events of that Glorious morning when Jesus stepped out of the tomb! It is a story that has been told and retold over the last two millennia countless times.

What is it that keeps this story fresh? What is it about the resurrection of Jesus Christ that people want to hear about it?

That is what we’re going to consider this morning.

The Resurrection: How can something so Old be so Fresh?

We’re going to consider that question today. As old as the story of the resurrection is, why is it still so fresh and meaningful to our lives? I have a few things that I think lend to the answer of that question.

In a day and age when the worth of things is based on its newness, it’s amazing how this old story is still so fresh. Everything we know in this life has an expiration date and is best when used before that date. Everything we see in this life is steadily moving toward decay and rot. It’s the law of Entropy. Everything left to its own devices will steadily move toward disorder. We’ve talked about that before. As a result, everything is marked with an expiration date. Look on that jar of mayonnaise in your fridge. Best if used by: whatever date will be printed on there somewhere. Look on the bottle of Coca-Cola; you’ll find the same words. Laundry detergents are marketed as having the ability to keep your clothes looking newer, longer. Your vehicle will need an oil change every 3 thousand miles. You’ll need to rotate your tires about every 6-8 thousand miles. You’ll need to repaint your house about every 10 years. Those left-overs in your fridge aren’t going to last forever. Why? Because everything we know in the natural has an expiration date. So why is the story of Easter, this story of the Resurrection still fresh after 2 millennia? I offer to you a few reasons why.