Easter Sunday Sunrise April 20, 2014 - preached at St. Paul Lutheran Church Dewberry, Indiana 7am

Sermon Text:      John 20:1-18

Title:          Where is Jesus?!

I.        Where is Jesus?

II.       Right where He said He would be!

JESUS’ DEATH PROVES HE WAS A SINNER –

JESUS’ RESURRECTION PROVES HE IS THE SAVIOR!

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father, and from our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ.  Amen.

The text for the homily for this Easter Sunday, is taken from the Gospel lesson…

Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” 3 So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. 4 Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went back to their homes.

11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I.

Where is Jesus?! Where have they taken Him?! Where is He?! These are the panicked shouts of Mary Magdalene as she first approaches the Tomb and sees the stone rolled away. She turns and runs to Peter and the rest of the disciples to tell them the news.

Are you with me so far? Are you sure you’re with me – because I am guessing you’re not. Mary does not approach the open Tomb of Jesus with joy. No, she sees the open Tomb and panics, fear gripping her. Jesus has been stolen away! She then runs not – out of Easter joy and celebration – but out of sheer terror that Jesus’ body has been secreted away by those who hated Him.

Now you’re with me.

Peter and John – upon hearing the news – take off running through the city streets and outside the walls of the city to the garden where the Tomb was located. They too saw the stone rolled away, but John being quicker got there first and looked in to find no Jesus only the cloths. And Peter gets there and enters and finds the same thing. John now enters and sees and believes.

Are you with me still? The disciples run to the Tomb. Why? Out of Easter joy and expectation? No – out of fear just like Mary Magdalene. And even their number – only Peter and John go – hints at their not getting it. Upon getting there both Peter and John go in and find the cloths. And although it says John saw and believed – it isn’t certain just exactly what it was that John believed – since there wasn’t understanding. What is their next move? They go home.

So where is Jesus? Where is the great Teacher?

Mary stands weeping outside the Tomb and Jesus comes to her, but she doesn’t see Him – just a gardener. She even talks with Him and sees not the Christ before her. And in her distress she asks this Gardener where has He taken her LORD.

Does that sound familiar to you? Do you seek Jesus and then refuse to see Him because you are too busy thinking it out in your own way, instead of GOD’S way?

Ever hear of a blessing in disguise? It starts out bad. You are running late for work because you had to turn around and go back to the house to turn off the stove. Then as you set out again you come across a horrific accident that would have been you had you not forgotten that stove?

The disciples and Jesus’ other followers were faithful men and women – but they didn’t get it. They were too caught up in thinking their way instead of GOD’S way – and we are very much like that.

II.

Where is Jesus? Right where He said He would be. Right where He foretold He would be. Right where the Holy Scriptures and Prophets prophesied He would be. Right where He promised He would be – alive and walking around three days AFTER He died!

He calls Mary by name and she sees Jesus! He reveals Himself to the disciples and they see Jesus. He walks with the disciples on their way to Emmaus and they see Jesus. And they all believe.

Jesus will tell Thomas that those who believe without the benefit of seeing Him will be called blessed. That is you and me folks. We are right there in Holy Scripture – you and me – being called blessed!

But we see Jesus too don’t we? We see Him where He has chosen to reveal Himself – in His Word and His Sacraments, Holy Baptism and Holy Communion. Here we see Jesus as assuredly as Thomas and all the rest did that first Easter Sunday.

And now we have the opportunity to share the Good News with the world – that Jesus Christ was crucified and has risen for the sins of the world. What great and wonderful news! CHRIST IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED! HALLELUJAH!

Jesus’ death proves He was a sinner and His resurrection proves He is the Savior! Amen.

The Peace of the LORD – which surpasses all understanding – will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus the Light of the world.  Amen.

+ Soli Deo Gloria +