Read Mark 16:1-8 (Yeah, I know we read it last week, but let’s read it again!).
Jesus is not dead…the three women heard it but did not process it…he had been raised…what does this mean?…how do you react?…with fear – yeah with terror… with surprise and excitement – yeah amazement…this changes everything…He was not dead – he was dead but now He is not! The man they were mourning was not to be mourned – we don’t mourn those who are living.
What does this mean? I believe this changes everything! It must – Jesus’ death is important, but Friday without Sunday is just death. Friday without Sunday is hopelessness. On Friday Jesus died but without his resurrection it was simply another death of a first century messiah who thought he was God.
Jesus’ death only symbolises life because of the Sunday. On Sunday we realize that he didn’t just die, he defeated death. This is important – Jesus’ resurrection isn’t an optional extra for us – it’s not just the showoff piece – it is the main event. It’s like a Moto GP rider who after completing his race then does a couple of wheel stands and tricks to prove how good he is, but it’s not the main event, the main event is winning the race. It is too easy to think that Friday was the main event, that Jesus’ death is the most important part of Easter, but it’s not, see without his resurrection, Friday counts for nothing – we would still be lost in our sin.
1 Corinthians 15:17-26
If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have died in Christ have perished. If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.
But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being; for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after he has destroyed every ruler and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
Friday is not the main event, sure it’s part of it, but it doesn’t end on Friday. Sunday is just as much the main event. Friday is the beginning, Sunday is the end, on Sunday the plan that God put in place in the beginning, from the moment of the very first sin has come to fruition – sin and death has been defeated. It’s this incredible event, because whilst it occurred 2000 years ago it actually determined how the end will end.
Satan has lost, it’s over, the end has been decided. It doesn’t matter what he does, what tricks he tries, he has lost, game over, time to pick up your ball and go home.
Questions/Discussion;
- What stood out for you in today’s story? Do you have any questions?
- What does knowing that Jesus is even more powerful than death mean for you?
- In the early church, the reason Christians gathered on Sunday was to remember the resurrection of Jesus every week. What is a habit that you or your family can adopt to celebrate the power of Jesus’ resurrection every week (not just at Easter).
- Take time to listen for God’s promptings this week as you spend time in prayer, reading God’s word (the bible) and observing the world around you.
Pray For Each Other