Easter 2005 (Luke 23:50)
Billy Milton - March 27, 2005
Easter has 2 main days that we remember:- Good Friday, when Jesus died, and Easter Day, when Jesus rose from the dead. In 2004 in the UK a movie went on general release called, “The Passion of the Christ”. This movie was so gory that it was given an 18 certificate! In other words the depiction of Jesus’ death is something that young people or those of a sensitive disposition should not watch. Back in 1st C. Jerusalem these public crucifixions were open to anyone but one Roman historian wrote about the cross, “Far be it from the eyes and ears of any Roman citizen!” This ancient censor actually agreed with our modern day censors.
The cross was awful – awful for anyone but especially for the sinless Son of God. Because he was not there for his own sins but because of ours. Good Friday must be the low point of mankind’s history and our readings this morning told us a bit about it.
However, I don’t want to focus so much this morning on the crucifixion but the events of a couple of days later when, to the shock of everyone concerned, the tomb where the dead body of Jesus had been laid to rest was found to be empty, except for the grave clothes that Jesus had been wrapped in. The events of that day have become known as the Resurrection. In Luke 23:50 onwards the story of two downhearted disciples is told. I think they were probably a husband and wife who had been up to Jerusalem for the Passover and were walking home together. TELL THE STORY.
The wonderful discovery that they made was that the words that Jesus spoke about his death and resurrection had come true. He was not dead – he was alive! We too can make that same discovery this Easter.
To help us on our way and to help us remember I want to use a few different kinds of eggs this morning. The eggs will help us to do three things:-
1. THINK
2. TRUST
3. TEST
1. THINK
The story of Jesus is not a fairy tale like Santa Clause or Superman, it actually happened and we need to use our brains a bit when we think of the Easter story. We need to think through the issues and facts that are involved.
I NEED A VOLUNTEER. Use two hen’s eggs. Get them to guess which one was empty and which still had the yolk in it. Why did they choose the one they did?
They went on facts not feelings.
In the account of the Easter story we have an awful lot of facts that we can examine before we decide whether it is true or not. We have the evidence of Joseph of Arimethea who buried the body of Jesus. The soldiers, the disciples, the women who came to the tomb before and after Jesus’ burial. The facts, not feelings, tell us that something remarkable happened that first Easter. More than any other event in the Bible – the Resurrection is based on solid historical evidence.
2. TRUST
SHOW BIG EASTER EGG. Rave about it and how you are going to enjoy it. Explain that you’ve eaten one before and you know how good it is. Do you believe me?
We need to trust what God has said in the past. Jesus, long before it actually happened, prophesied his death and his resurrection so that the disciples shouldn’t have been so confused. We too need to learn to trust God’s word and when we do some things that might seem impossible (a man rising from the dead for instance) become possible. TRUST.
3. TEST
Cadbury’s Cream Egg – ask for a volunteer to eat it. Really, the only way to know if something is good is to taste it – that’s what it was made for.
Psalm 34:8 says, “Taste and see that the Lord is good.”
If you want to discover the truth about the death and resurrection of Jesus you need to make a step of faith and try it. Test it. Taste it. Don’t just take my word for it. Invite Jesus to be part of your life today and find out for yourself why millions of Christians for thousands of years have found strength and hope at this time of year.
The angel said, “He is not here, he is risen.” This morning we say thank you Jesus for the hope that these words bring.