SUNDAY 12th
Resurrection Day
John 20:1-29
You will often hear me mention what my favourite Bible verses are, No1 is 2 Corinthians 5:17 and then I have two which are equal No 2 and they are:
Luke 2:11 ‘For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.’
Luke 24:5-6 ‘Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.’
All three are good news. Luke 2:11 is the good news that a Saviour has come. Luke 24:5-6 is the good news that the one who came to be the Saviour has risen – he has accomplished what he came to do, 2 Corinthians 5:17 is good news in that it tells us that if we accept this Saviour we become new creations.
Over the last few months, we have heard almost nothing but bad news, depressing news, news that causes fear and panic. But the message that we must share today, and every other day is good news – Jesus is alive. This news is exciting and brings hope. This news is the answer to the inner need of every man and woman, this news is the news that if believed and acted upon will transform individuals, families, society and the world in which we live. Jesus is alive and he is the answer for the world’s problems.
One of the more modern songs today (this will be my selected hymn at the end) is called ‘the greatest day in history’. And there is no doubt that the resurrection day was and still is the greatest day in history. We can think of many pivotal moments in the history of the world, and as great as many of them were in what was achieved, nothing can compare with what happened on the resurrection morning.
We will focus for the first part of this week on the subject of the resurrection, but for today, let us get thrilled again of the wonder that the man who was beaten, whipped, mocked, humiliated, cruelly executed through the means of crucifixion, and who breathed out his final breathe, gave up his spirit, was taken down off the cross a dead body, and placed into a tomb that was sealed and guarded by soldiers had the power not only to lay down his life, but to be able to take it up again. Three years earlier Jesus had declared, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.’ (John 2:19) and in John 10:18 ‘No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.’
‘Death could not keep its prey, Jesus my Saviour, he tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord. UP from the grave he AROSE, with a mighty triumphant o’er his foes, he AROSE a victor o’er the vast domain, and he lives forever with his saints to reign. HE AROSE, HE AROSE, hallelujah CHRIST AROSE.’
For some of us, this may be the first Easter Sunday, Resurrection Day that we will not have been in Church to celebrate, but one thing is sure, being isolated, being at home will not stop us rejoicing in this wonderful news.
Our reading for today was from John’s gospel, but make some time to read the account from the other gospel writers: Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-13, Luke 24:1-12 and then Acts 2:22-24, 29-32.
The greatest day in history
Death is beaten, you have rescued me
Sing it out Jesus is alive
The empty cross, the empty grave
Life eternal You have won the day
Shout it out, Jesus is alive
He’s alive
Oh happy day, happy day
You washed my sin away
Oh happy day, happy day
I’ll never be the same
Forever I am changed
When I stand, in that place
Free at last, meeting face to face
I am Yours Jesus You are mine
Endless joy, perfect peace
Earthly pain finally will cease
Celebrate, Jesus is alive
He’s alive
Oh what a glorious day
What a glorious way
That You have saved me
Oh what a glorious day
What a glorious name
Tim Hughes CCLI 778682