The Formula for a New Beginning
Luke 24:1–12 (HCSB)
1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3 They went in but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothes. 5 So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground. “Why are you looking for the living among the dead?” asked the men. 6 “He is not here, but He has been resurrected! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, 7 saying, ‘The Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day’?” 8 And they remembered His words. 9 Returning from the tomb, they reported all these things to the Eleven and to all the rest. 10 Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them were telling the apostles these things. 11 But these words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believe the women. 12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. When he stooped to look in, he saw only the linen cloths. So he went home, amazed at what had happened.
- THE RESURRECTION CREATES A NEW BEGINNING IN WORSHIP.
v. 1 “On the first day of the week…”
- The day of worship had always been on Saturday; it was commanded.
- The Resurrection changed the day of worship to Sunday; it is celebrated.
- The Resurrection changes everything we know about worship.
- THE RESURRECTION CREATES A NEW BEGINNING IN REDEMPTION.
v. 5b “…Why are you looking for the living among the dead?”
- Obedience to the law had been the only way to be right with God.
- The Resurrection fulfills the promise of a new way.
Luke 18:31–33 (HCSB)
31 Then He took the Twelve aside and told them, “Listen! We are going up to Jerusalem. Everything that is written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished. 32 For He will be handed over to the Gentiles, and He will be mocked, insulted, spit on; 33 and after they flog Him, they will kill Him, and He will rise on the third day.”
- Overcoming death and the grave changes everything we know about redemption.
- THE RESURRECTION CREATES A NEW BEGINNING IN EVANGELISM.
v. 9-12 “Returning from the tomb, they reported all these things to the Eleven and to all the rest. Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them were telling the apostles these things. But these words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believe the women. Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. When he stooped to look in, he saw only the linen cloths. So he went home, amazed at what had happened.”
- In a pre-resurrection world, women were not much more than property.
- The Resurrection creates a new beginning for women to share the Good News.
- The Resurrection opens the door for sinners to tell their story of life change.
The Resurrection of Jesus creates a new beginning for us in more ways than we can imagine. As a result, we worship in a new way, find eternal life, and share our story and His story with others.
