Irvin Wasswa- Tylertown Campus Pastor LHBC

Luke 24:1-7
24 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.”

The worst weekend in history was coming to a close. With the sun came a new week, yet grief and sorrow filled the hearts of those who followed this Man. The Man who they thought was going to free them from the tyranny of the Roman government was lying in a tomb, a victim in their minds to a death that He did not deserve. He hung on a cross, a punishment that was suitable for the worst of criminals, yet He wasn’t one. The hope of those there was all gone… AND THEN SUNDAY CAME. The women who were going to go with the spices they had prepared for burial were amazed to see that the tomb where Christ was placed was empty, and the stone had been rolled away! He HAD RISEN FROM THE DEAD! WOW!

Here was the thing though: The many who followed Jesus (including the women who went to the tomb) forgot the truth Jesus shared with them. Jesus Himself mentioned that He was going to do these exact things (v.6), but their focus was on all that transpired (His death and burial). They went to the tomb fully expecting for Jesus to be laying there dead, but listen, He wasn’t there! HE HAD RISEN! What a pleasant surprise!

We can identify with these ladies, and the many others who were in the same boat as them. God has spoken truth in our lives through His word and through His Holy Spirit, yet we struggle to believe because of what we are currently facing. We find the many promises of God that we know hard to believe because of the pain we are in. The truth which He has told us is tough to swallow because of the turbulent storm you are in. Can I encourage you this morning that God is a promise-keeper? 2 Timothy 2:13 tells us that He remains faithful EVEN when we are faithless. 2 Corinthians 1:20 tells us that all of God’s promises are “Yes and Amen.” Listen, what God has promised, we can take to the bank. When Jesus said He was going to get out of that grave, He got up and got out of that grave, conquering the power of sin and death (1 Corinthians 15). For those who trust in His name can walk in freedom forever! (John 8:36)

Listen, I know life can be difficult and it may seem as though God is far away, but He is not. As a matter of fact, He is near and He is faithful to keep all of His promises. We do not have to live as though we are people with no hope. JESUS IS ALIVE. We don’t have to live as though Jesus is in the grave, because He isn’t there! He is alive and well! May we live in light of that truth, claiming the promises He has given us in His word, and choosing to live with the hope we have because of His resurrection! HE IS ALIVE!

Song for Worship Today: Christ is Risen: Shane and Shane

PRAYER FOR TODAY
Lord, I rejoice in your resurrection today. Thank you for breaking the power of sin and death by getting up out of that grave! I pray today that you would give me faith to rest in your promises, and trust in your plan because you are forever faithful! In Jesus’ name, Amen!

MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
Ephesians 3:20-21
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.