Following Jesus… in Luke’s gospel

We left Jesus’ story unfinished on Good Friday. (Luke 23)

Luke 24: The day didn’t start too well…

1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?

6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered his words.

9 When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. 11 But they did not believe the women, because their

words seemed to them like nonsense. 12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.

The women had three shocks!

Seven simple words which would change the world. He is not here: he is risen. v6 Important question: Is this true? Peter: wondering to himself what had happened.v12

Many theories have been proposed. Was it a look-alike on the cross? Did the disciples steal the body? Had Jesus just passed out?

Let’s be in no doubt. Jesus was DEAD. And then 3 days later he wasn’t dead… Empty tomb; angels; group of people who are utterly changed by this experience. Any dilution of this undoes the whole of the gospel.

This is the happy ending we’ve been promised. But how do we feel when a great story ends? The meaning and reality of our lives are shaped by the resurrection of Jesus.

Our view on death and life is changed Why do you look for the living among the dead? v5 If death were the end of the story it would be inspiring but futile. This is more than an example of self sacrificing love.

This is a sublime act of God. God’s rescue plan for the world. Jesus was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan & foreknowledge & you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. Acts 2:

We are saved from eternal death & for eternal life. Jesus’ death and resurrection dealt with our separation from God. Nothing we can do will bridge that gap. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions…Eph 2:4

Death is defeated. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. Rev 1:18 Jesus has authority over death. Jesus calls the shots and death has to listen. We are no longer held captive by sin and death.

This isn’t just about our physical death. We have a new birth; a new start. Jesus’ resurrection allows for new breath to be breathed into us. Just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Rom 6: 4 With Jesus all the things that would defeat us have already been defeated.

Time changes! We look beyond the present… We don’t have to live as if we need to get everything now.

We have opportunity to live a resurrection life. Current wisdom: Live for the present: we might as well eat, drink and be merry. Fearful of the future: hang on to everything tightly. Jesus’ resurrection allows us to clear our vision.

Because of Jesus the pressure’s off. No need to stuff ourselves with selfish pleasure or panic ourselves into anxiety. If only for this life we have hope in Christ we are to be pitied more than all men. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead. 1Cor 15: 19 – 20

Free to give our lives away. Free to meet with suffering because we can look beyond the immediate. Free to enjoy success without greed or anxiety. And never fearing that it’s all been a waste.

We are not worshipping a dead guy. Jesus is with us Jesus’ resurrection means we have an ever present saviour.

The power of Jesus is not simply in his words and ideas but in his presence. The very same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in us and for us. This power was so great that nothing could keep Jesus in the grave.

Power for a purpose! Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. John 12:12

Jesus is present in every circumstance. We are never alone. This is the power that enables us to stand against suffering, persecution, temptation, illness and death.

So is this the end of the story? No! Just the beginning. There may be many plot twists in our story but because of Jesus we can go out like the disciples with great joy (Luke 24:52)

Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed - that exhilarating finish with God - he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honour, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! Hebrews 12: 2 – 3 The message

Following Jesus… in Luke’s gospel True conversion Love for Jesus The power of faith The cost of discipleship Good Friday: worship & testimony Easter Sunday: He’s alive! The road to Emmaus