WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.199 For the last number of weeks in our church, we've been thinking about Jesus' journey to the cross. 00:00:08.199 --> 00:00:15.040 And so it seems appropriate on Easter Sunday to think about the journey that we find in the story of Easter 00:00:15.040 --> 00:00:20.600 and to see how it explains to us the story of the world. 00:00:21.179 --> 00:00:26.699 So let's read words that we find in Mark chapter 11 on page 1016. 00:00:26.699 --> 00:00:30.280 We'll read the first 10 verses together. 00:00:56.700 --> 00:01:06.859 They went and found a colt outside in the street tied at a doorway. 00:01:07.600 --> 00:01:10.760 As they untied it, some people standing there asked, 00:01:11.340 --> 00:01:13.800 What are you doing untying that colt? 00:01:14.420 --> 00:01:18.480 They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. 00:01:18.480 --> 00:01:24.020 When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. 00:01:24.740 --> 00:01:30.540 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they'd cut in the fields. 00:01:31.120 --> 00:01:33.740 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, 00:01:33.900 --> 00:01:37.620 Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. 00:01:38.120 --> 00:01:41.480 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David. 00:01:42.060 --> 00:01:45.080 Hosanna in the highest. 00:01:45.640 --> 00:01:46.000 Amen. 00:01:46.000 --> 00:01:50.560 So the angels announced on Easter Sunday, 00:01:50.799 --> 00:01:52.420 He is not here. 00:01:53.000 --> 00:01:54.980 He has risen. 00:01:55.680 --> 00:02:01.920 And all around the world, tens of millions of Christians will gather together to worship. 00:02:02.819 --> 00:02:04.760 Some will do that like us publicly. 00:02:05.019 --> 00:02:07.000 Others will do that very privately. 00:02:07.900 --> 00:02:11.080 Some will do that in security and comfort like us. 00:02:11.680 --> 00:02:13.900 Others will do that in fear. 00:02:13.900 --> 00:02:16.500 Some will do it in prison camps. 00:02:16.819 --> 00:02:20.000 But everybody worshiping for the same reason. 00:02:20.200 --> 00:02:24.360 Celebrating this unique truth claim of Christianity. 00:02:25.140 --> 00:02:32.920 That unlike every other religious leader in history, Jesus is alive. 00:02:34.080 --> 00:02:42.460 Celebrating this unique fact that we gather together to worship a man who was crucified as a criminal. 00:02:42.460 --> 00:02:50.600 That we have a faith in which God suffers for his people. 00:02:51.600 --> 00:02:55.200 And so we gather with a sense of joy on Easter Sunday. 00:02:55.200 --> 00:03:01.680 But we do so aware of what happened that first Good Friday. 00:03:01.680 --> 00:03:10.819 We gather with joy because of the agony and the death of Jesus on the cross. 00:03:10.819 --> 00:03:14.920 And this is the journey that's captured by Jesus in the second half. 00:03:15.540 --> 00:03:18.640 Captured by Mark in the second half of his gospel. 00:03:18.639 --> 00:03:23.959 So let's see together the journey of Jesus on Easter week. 00:03:24.379 --> 00:03:30.199 To see how this journey explains the story of our world. 00:03:30.859 --> 00:03:33.639 To explain the story of our own lives. 00:03:33.639 --> 00:03:42.939 So that we might discover for the first time or discover afresh why Jesus is a king who is worth following. 00:03:42.939 --> 00:03:49.159 So let's begin the journey here with Jesus on the coat. 00:03:50.060 --> 00:03:52.719 And as we look at this little section of Mark's gospel. 00:03:52.719 --> 00:03:55.780 We see something of the character of Jesus. 00:03:55.979 --> 00:04:01.199 We read in verse 1 of chapter 11 that Jesus is approaching Jerusalem. 00:04:01.199 --> 00:04:04.659 He's continuing his journey to Jerusalem. 00:04:04.759 --> 00:04:07.860 This journey that's going to define his life. 00:04:07.860 --> 00:04:13.300 A journey to the cross that's going to mark the center of human history. 00:04:14.500 --> 00:04:15.680 For leaders. 00:04:16.199 --> 00:04:18.740 For people of power and influence. 00:04:18.840 --> 00:04:21.160 How they make their arrivals. 00:04:21.560 --> 00:04:22.580 How they ride. 00:04:23.220 --> 00:04:24.199 Really matters. 00:04:25.720 --> 00:04:30.460 It's a good chance for people to show power or wealth or force or significance. 00:04:31.879 --> 00:04:34.319 We can perhaps think of Hannibal. 00:04:34.319 --> 00:04:39.199 The great military figure who when he wanted to attack Italy. 00:04:39.959 --> 00:04:42.980 Rode over the Alps on elephants. 00:04:43.240 --> 00:04:44.860 Now there's a statement of power. 00:04:45.399 --> 00:04:51.500 Or we can think about presidents and noble people who arrive in jets and limos. 00:04:52.759 --> 00:04:54.680 The arrival matters. 00:04:55.740 --> 00:04:57.219 And Jesus understands this. 00:04:58.600 --> 00:05:01.579 How does Jesus arrive into Jerusalem? 00:05:01.579 --> 00:05:04.859 What does he ride as he comes in? 00:05:04.939 --> 00:05:05.399 Verse 2. 00:05:05.519 --> 00:05:09.939 We're told that he sends his disciples to bring a coat. 00:05:10.279 --> 00:05:12.259 To bring a young donkey. 00:05:13.539 --> 00:05:16.180 Now Jesus is making a statement as we will see. 00:05:17.439 --> 00:05:21.620 Very different to the way powerful people tend to make gestures and statements. 00:05:22.139 --> 00:05:27.419 But here we find his journey towards Jerusalem on the coat. 00:05:27.420 --> 00:05:33.259 And we read in verses 7 and 8 that he is greeted with great joy. 00:05:34.080 --> 00:05:39.360 We see him being welcomed as a king of someone of great significance. 00:05:39.800 --> 00:05:46.560 People are spreading their cloaks and they're spreading branches because they want to make his journey comfortable. 00:05:47.319 --> 00:05:49.180 And we heard the shouts of the crowd. 00:05:49.439 --> 00:05:49.960 Hosanna. 00:05:51.400 --> 00:05:54.000 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. 00:05:54.000 --> 00:05:57.519 Here they are shouting, Jesus you're our saviour. 00:05:58.160 --> 00:05:59.680 Jesus you're God's king. 00:06:00.519 --> 00:06:04.579 They are announcing to one another God's promised hope is here. 00:06:04.860 --> 00:06:09.079 There's a sense of real excitement and joy with the coming of Jesus. 00:06:09.279 --> 00:06:11.740 Now all of this is true. 00:06:11.939 --> 00:06:13.519 Jesus is God's saviour. 00:06:14.100 --> 00:06:16.839 Jesus has come to be God's promised king. 00:06:17.160 --> 00:06:21.620 But how he does that is entirely different to the way people are expecting. 00:06:21.620 --> 00:06:29.540 Jesus in a sense rips up the script of public expectation because he wants to make clear that he's a different kind of king. 00:06:30.100 --> 00:06:38.199 He hasn't come in power and force to rid Israel of Roman occupation, to give them the nation state again. 00:06:38.759 --> 00:06:41.340 And the coat makes that clear. 00:06:42.540 --> 00:06:46.340 You don't ride into battle on a donkey. 00:06:46.339 --> 00:06:54.339 You don't lead the charge of a revolution riding on a baby donkey. 00:06:54.979 --> 00:06:58.479 But Jesus chose the coat and he chose it deliberately. 00:06:59.159 --> 00:07:01.919 And so we need to ask ourselves, why? 00:07:02.799 --> 00:07:03.699 Why that way? 00:07:03.959 --> 00:07:05.000 Why that arrival? 00:07:05.239 --> 00:07:10.579 Well, Jesus is fully conscious of a verse in the Old Testament. 00:07:11.219 --> 00:07:14.339 A word that God spoke to the prophet Zechariah. 00:07:14.339 --> 00:07:14.979 Zechariah. 00:07:15.479 --> 00:07:18.599 Zechariah 9, verse 9, we read this. 00:07:19.459 --> 00:07:32.039 See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey on a coat. 00:07:32.779 --> 00:07:33.939 The foal of a donkey. 00:07:35.199 --> 00:07:36.599 Jesus is saying, I'm the king. 00:07:36.659 --> 00:07:37.539 I'm the righteous king. 00:07:37.599 --> 00:07:38.199 I'm sinless. 00:07:38.319 --> 00:07:39.099 I'm perfect. 00:07:39.100 --> 00:07:41.260 I'm bringing God's salvation. 00:07:41.980 --> 00:07:45.340 But I'm also gentle and humble. 00:07:46.340 --> 00:07:52.360 And when you read the gospel, when you read the story of Jesus, that's what you discover about him. 00:07:52.760 --> 00:07:57.420 You discover a humble and gentle servant king. 00:07:57.980 --> 00:08:00.879 It's true in his very coming into the world. 00:08:01.240 --> 00:08:03.420 No one has ever stooped lower than Jesus. 00:08:03.420 --> 00:08:09.900 He left the glory of heaven in order to be born with the animals and laid in a manger. 00:08:10.460 --> 00:08:15.560 We see his humility in his willingness to wash his disciples' feet. 00:08:16.460 --> 00:08:19.520 In his willingness to welcome the stranger. 00:08:19.980 --> 00:08:22.939 In to reach out and to touch the leper. 00:08:23.360 --> 00:08:30.060 We see his humility here in riding the donkey, riding towards the cross. 00:08:30.060 --> 00:08:33.159 He is God's true king. 00:08:33.799 --> 00:08:35.419 He has come to save. 00:08:35.779 --> 00:08:39.820 But he's not going to use power to save by force. 00:08:40.220 --> 00:08:46.299 He's not going to be one of those figures who seeks to exploit or use his power and influence for profit. 00:08:46.860 --> 00:08:53.840 What we discover in Jesus is the kind of leader we both want and need. 00:08:53.840 --> 00:08:57.160 We can think about that at every level of our lives. 00:08:57.220 --> 00:09:02.240 Whether that's in government or in families or in our workplaces. 00:09:02.240 --> 00:09:09.040 We want the one who's in charge to use their power for the sake of others. 00:09:09.040 --> 00:09:10.700 For the interests of others. 00:09:10.700 --> 00:09:14.980 And we see that perfectly in the life of Jesus. 00:09:14.980 --> 00:09:19.080 When you look at the life of Jesus in the gospel. 00:09:19.279 --> 00:09:20.539 You discover his character. 00:09:20.700 --> 00:09:26.680 There's this beautiful combination of traits that you don't normally expect to see together. 00:09:27.519 --> 00:09:30.539 So we have on the one hand Jesus who is all powerful. 00:09:31.200 --> 00:09:33.720 The Jesus of infinite majesty. 00:09:33.720 --> 00:09:37.920 And at the same time the Jesus of complete humility. 00:09:38.680 --> 00:09:42.300 And absolute submission to the Father's plan of salvation. 00:09:42.299 --> 00:09:45.839 We see Jesus the Son of God. 00:09:46.259 --> 00:09:48.799 Here continuing his journey as. 00:09:49.699 --> 00:09:51.419 And he told us this in chapter 10. 00:09:51.539 --> 00:09:55.519 The Son of Man who came not to be served but to serve. 00:09:56.379 --> 00:09:59.779 And to give his life as a ransom for many. 00:10:00.699 --> 00:10:05.439 So I wonder this Easter how do we respond to Jesus the King? 00:10:06.339 --> 00:10:12.039 What we see from his life is that he's too extreme a figure to stay neutral on. 00:10:12.299 --> 00:10:17.659 So we have here an example of crowds who worship and there is joy. 00:10:18.319 --> 00:10:24.419 But we see just a few verses later the reminder that there is another group who hate Jesus. 00:10:24.879 --> 00:10:28.159 And want to have him killed. 00:10:28.759 --> 00:10:33.000 So on the journey of Jesus we see him riding this colt. 00:10:33.079 --> 00:10:36.039 And we see his character being displayed. 00:10:36.039 --> 00:10:39.699 Now turn with me a few more pages in your Bible. 00:10:40.179 --> 00:10:44.939 To Mark chapter 15 on page 1023. 00:10:44.940 --> 00:11:00.500 Because this journey that Jesus is taking is leading him towards the cross. 00:11:00.860 --> 00:11:04.080 Where we see the sacrifice of Jesus. 00:11:04.200 --> 00:11:09.060 So three times already on this journey Jesus has clearly taught his followers. 00:11:09.960 --> 00:11:10.820 I'm going to suffer. 00:11:11.520 --> 00:11:12.580 I'm going to be rejected. 00:11:12.720 --> 00:11:13.560 I'm going to be condemned. 00:11:13.560 --> 00:11:14.920 I'm going to be killed. 00:11:15.480 --> 00:11:22.700 So when we see Jesus riding into Jerusalem we see him riding purposefully towards his own death. 00:11:23.260 --> 00:11:29.680 And a few days after this on that first Good Friday Jesus was sentenced to die on a Roman cross. 00:11:29.760 --> 00:11:35.020 That device of cruelty and humiliation and death. 00:11:36.220 --> 00:11:37.420 When you ask ourselves why. 00:11:37.420 --> 00:11:42.360 Why was that necessary to God's rescue plan? 00:11:42.360 --> 00:11:45.600 Why is that awful scene? 00:11:45.600 --> 00:11:47.960 Why is that awful scene the center of the Christian faith? 00:11:48.060 --> 00:11:52.340 Why is the cross the symbol of Christianity? 00:11:53.480 --> 00:11:58.919 Well we're going to look at some of the details of what happened as Jesus died to help us to see. 00:11:58.919 --> 00:12:02.799 In verse 33 of chapter 15. 00:12:02.799 --> 00:12:05.279 We discover this. 00:12:05.279 --> 00:12:13.339 At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. 00:12:13.340 --> 00:12:18.920 So the middle of the day when the sun should be at its hottest there is utter darkness. 00:12:19.660 --> 00:12:24.460 Darkness in the Bible is a symbol of God's judgment. 00:12:24.460 --> 00:12:29.000 Now where does the judgment fall? 00:12:30.000 --> 00:12:34.980 It falls on the perfect sinless son of God. 00:12:34.980 --> 00:12:47.379 The explorer Ernest Shackleton in 1914 was making a second trip with the goal of trying to cross Antarctica. 00:12:48.000 --> 00:12:49.800 Getting to the South Pole and beyond. 00:12:50.519 --> 00:13:00.000 And his biographers write of some of the incredible feats of endurance and some of the trials that Shackleton and his team had to go through. 00:13:00.000 --> 00:13:12.759 But they all agree and Shackleton said that of all the sufferings that they had to endure, the hardest was during May and June in Antarctica where there is total darkness. 00:13:14.000 --> 00:13:17.940 The Bible says God is light. 00:13:18.779 --> 00:13:20.480 God is life-giving. 00:13:20.659 --> 00:13:21.419 God is light. 00:13:22.080 --> 00:13:27.259 To turn from him is to live in spiritual darkness. 00:13:27.259 --> 00:13:33.460 To turn from the light is to experience a sense of isolation. 00:13:34.240 --> 00:13:38.480 Is to face a loss of direction. 00:13:38.720 --> 00:13:42.939 To be disorientated from the way life is supposed to be. 00:13:44.000 --> 00:13:54.399 And the Bible says ultimately if we continue to turn from the God who is light and life we will face eternal darkness and judgment. 00:13:54.399 --> 00:13:59.879 But here we find Jesus dying in the darkness. 00:14:00.419 --> 00:14:05.659 And more than that we hear Jesus crying out feeling abandoned. 00:14:05.860 --> 00:14:06.699 Verse 34. 00:14:07.360 --> 00:14:11.879 At the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice. 00:14:12.259 --> 00:14:14.679 Eloi Eloi lama sabachthani. 00:14:14.779 --> 00:14:17.679 Which means my God my God. 00:14:18.079 --> 00:14:21.139 Why have you forsaken me? 00:14:21.139 --> 00:14:25.439 Here is Jesus, the Son of God. 00:14:26.059 --> 00:14:28.259 The Son God loves. 00:14:28.720 --> 00:14:31.480 Who faces this darkness. 00:14:32.159 --> 00:14:37.379 Who faces this sense of loss for us. 00:14:37.919 --> 00:14:40.279 In our place. 00:14:41.059 --> 00:14:44.379 Jesus as the sin bearer of the world. 00:14:44.379 --> 00:14:48.519 Faces the outcome of sin. 00:14:49.340 --> 00:14:51.480 Which is separation. 00:14:52.059 --> 00:14:54.320 Which is the judgment of God. 00:14:55.279 --> 00:14:58.200 As people we were made to know God. 00:14:58.460 --> 00:15:00.879 We were made to enjoy God. 00:15:01.320 --> 00:15:03.299 But our sin against God. 00:15:03.439 --> 00:15:05.019 Our turning away from him. 00:15:05.279 --> 00:15:08.019 Has created a barrier. 00:15:08.019 --> 00:15:13.240 So that God is far from us. 00:15:14.439 --> 00:15:19.919 Jesus feels the weight of that as he dies in our place. 00:15:21.000 --> 00:15:24.840 Now we know this to be true in our lives. 00:15:25.419 --> 00:15:28.699 That the longer we have loved someone. 00:15:29.240 --> 00:15:32.240 And the deeper that love has been. 00:15:32.600 --> 00:15:36.600 That the more painful is the sense of loss. 00:15:36.600 --> 00:15:40.480 Here is Jesus. 00:15:41.340 --> 00:15:45.580 The one who enjoyed eternal fellowship with his Father. 00:15:46.139 --> 00:15:48.019 Now in his humanity. 00:15:49.000 --> 00:15:51.560 Standing as substitute for us. 00:15:52.300 --> 00:15:56.620 Experiencing the deepest loss imaginable. 00:15:58.840 --> 00:16:00.660 Now why is this good news? 00:16:01.259 --> 00:16:02.639 For you and for me. 00:16:04.040 --> 00:16:06.100 Well it's precisely because he does this. 00:16:06.100 --> 00:16:07.379 He goes there. 00:16:07.639 --> 00:16:10.840 So that we don't have to. 00:16:12.100 --> 00:16:15.120 He sacrifices himself willingly. 00:16:15.500 --> 00:16:18.860 In exchange for sinners. 00:16:19.920 --> 00:16:21.800 Jesus takes our place. 00:16:21.879 --> 00:16:25.240 And suffers the penalty for our rebellion. 00:16:27.639 --> 00:16:31.360 When we decide that we want to live for other things. 00:16:31.420 --> 00:16:31.960 Or other people. 00:16:32.060 --> 00:16:33.320 Rather than the true God. 00:16:33.700 --> 00:16:35.340 The Bible says that's idolatry. 00:16:35.340 --> 00:16:38.759 Jesus is condemned as an idolater. 00:16:39.759 --> 00:16:45.000 When we in ignorance or deliberately turn away from God's law. 00:16:45.080 --> 00:16:46.100 God's way of living. 00:16:46.220 --> 00:16:48.860 Jesus is condemned for that. 00:16:49.080 --> 00:16:52.240 Jesus dies as a lawbreaker. 00:16:53.080 --> 00:16:54.360 In our play. 00:16:54.360 --> 00:16:56.720 By faith in Jesus. 00:16:56.720 --> 00:16:58.500 By faith in Jesus. 00:16:59.120 --> 00:17:01.159 Our debt is cancelled. 00:17:01.519 --> 00:17:03.019 Our sin is forgiven. 00:17:03.860 --> 00:17:07.539 Because Jesus took the punishment there on the cross. 00:17:08.319 --> 00:17:10.860 So Jesus dies in the darkness. 00:17:11.860 --> 00:17:15.120 So that we might live in the light of God's love. 00:17:16.319 --> 00:17:19.079 Jesus feels abandoned on the cross. 00:17:19.079 --> 00:17:24.159 So we might be welcomed into the family of God. 00:17:25.419 --> 00:17:29.839 So I wonder what do we see when we look at the cross of Jesus. 00:17:29.839 --> 00:17:32.759 Again, there were very different reactions around the cross. 00:17:33.319 --> 00:17:35.759 In verse 32 of chapter 15. 00:17:35.879 --> 00:17:39.639 We find the religious leaders and others who mock Jesus. 00:17:39.959 --> 00:17:41.459 Who think he's a false savior. 00:17:41.559 --> 00:17:44.359 Who think he's an irrelevance to get rid of. 00:17:44.359 --> 00:17:51.379 But then we also find our Roman soldier in verse 39. 00:17:52.519 --> 00:17:54.240 With a statement of faith. 00:17:54.419 --> 00:17:58.939 Surely this man was the son of God. 00:17:59.939 --> 00:18:04.359 So Jesus goes on that journey from the cult to the cross. 00:18:04.379 --> 00:18:05.699 Where we see his sacrifice. 00:18:05.699 --> 00:18:07.699 But then in chapter 16. 00:18:08.419 --> 00:18:10.819 We're taken to the cave. 00:18:11.059 --> 00:18:12.939 We're taken to the empty tomb. 00:18:12.940 --> 00:18:16.120 And we're taken to the hope of Jesus. 00:18:16.640 --> 00:18:18.000 In Mark chapter 16. 00:18:18.120 --> 00:18:20.200 This is how we started our service. 00:18:20.740 --> 00:18:23.080 We read of these three women. 00:18:23.539 --> 00:18:25.100 Two Marys and Salome. 00:18:25.279 --> 00:18:26.299 Coming to the tomb. 00:18:26.860 --> 00:18:30.799 To anoint Jesus' body. 00:18:32.240 --> 00:18:38.500 We know that death comes with a sense of painful finality. 00:18:38.500 --> 00:18:40.759 Humanly speaking. 00:18:40.759 --> 00:18:43.140 It is journey's end. 00:18:43.680 --> 00:18:45.079 And in Mark chapter 16. 00:18:45.180 --> 00:18:47.140 What we have is an honest recording. 00:18:47.519 --> 00:18:49.380 Of the loss of hope. 00:18:50.380 --> 00:18:54.039 Even among Jesus' closest followers. 00:18:55.099 --> 00:18:57.619 Three times Jesus had predicted. 00:18:57.839 --> 00:18:58.799 I will suffer. 00:18:59.259 --> 00:19:00.640 And be rejected and killed. 00:19:00.740 --> 00:19:02.480 But he also said three times. 00:19:02.880 --> 00:19:04.420 I will rise. 00:19:04.420 --> 00:19:06.460 On the third day. 00:19:07.460 --> 00:19:09.720 Here we are on day three. 00:19:10.460 --> 00:19:11.320 What do we find? 00:19:11.400 --> 00:19:17.060 Do we find the disciples waiting with hope and expectation for their risen Savior? 00:19:17.060 --> 00:19:19.019 No we don't. 00:19:19.680 --> 00:19:24.259 We don't find any male disciples waiting for the return of Jesus. 00:19:24.259 --> 00:19:33.079 What we find are three women who want to honor the body of the dead Lord Jesus. 00:19:33.559 --> 00:19:34.759 As they expect. 00:19:36.079 --> 00:19:42.960 Here actually is part of the reliability of the way the Bible records the story of the resurrection. 00:19:43.640 --> 00:19:47.400 One of the things as you read the different accounts in the Gospels that's clear. 00:19:47.539 --> 00:19:50.279 Is that nobody saw this coming. 00:19:50.279 --> 00:19:58.819 It wasn't the hope of the Jewish faith that their Savior would come and die and then rise again in the middle of history to make all things new. 00:19:59.039 --> 00:20:01.079 That wasn't part of their expectation. 00:20:02.079 --> 00:20:05.000 Therefore it's not something that anyone would make up. 00:20:05.879 --> 00:20:13.359 Nobody would make up that a crucified criminal would be Savior and risen King. 00:20:14.879 --> 00:20:17.359 What we find is honesty. 00:20:17.359 --> 00:20:21.479 They are surprised by the power of God. 00:20:21.559 --> 00:20:24.399 They are surprised by the empty tomb. 00:20:24.799 --> 00:20:27.500 So the women they come expecting to anoint Jesus. 00:20:28.259 --> 00:20:30.179 Instead they find the empty tomb. 00:20:30.979 --> 00:20:32.859 They find the stone is rolled away. 00:20:32.959 --> 00:20:34.439 The curtain is pulled back. 00:20:34.939 --> 00:20:38.459 To see this huge moment in the drama of history. 00:20:38.919 --> 00:20:41.959 And they discover an angel meets them. 00:20:41.960 --> 00:20:46.940 And in verse 6 we get the great announcement from the angel. 00:20:47.140 --> 00:20:53.720 You're looking for Jesus who was crucified but he has risen. 00:20:54.660 --> 00:20:55.940 He is not here. 00:20:56.019 --> 00:21:00.440 He's not in the place of death because he has conquered. 00:21:00.600 --> 00:21:03.200 He has defeated sin and death. 00:21:03.299 --> 00:21:06.539 And won a victory for his people. 00:21:06.539 --> 00:21:10.740 This is the greatest news the world has ever heard. 00:21:11.220 --> 00:21:14.779 Because it means that when we put our trust in Jesus. 00:21:15.359 --> 00:21:20.720 His death means there will not be spiritual death for us. 00:21:21.059 --> 00:21:22.680 If our faith is in him. 00:21:23.399 --> 00:21:27.240 We are forgiven and we will not be condemned. 00:21:27.240 --> 00:21:30.620 If our faith is in Jesus. 00:21:30.839 --> 00:21:34.539 His resurrection means our resurrection. 00:21:35.779 --> 00:21:38.299 It gives us great hope for our future. 00:21:38.519 --> 00:21:41.660 Of new physical resurrection bodies. 00:21:42.019 --> 00:21:44.059 Living in a renewed world. 00:21:44.359 --> 00:21:46.000 Enjoying the presence of God. 00:21:46.059 --> 00:21:47.539 The glory of God forever. 00:21:48.880 --> 00:21:53.079 His future means our future can be full of hope. 00:21:54.319 --> 00:21:55.779 Jesus has gone to the cross. 00:21:55.779 --> 00:21:58.240 He's borne the scars of death. 00:21:58.339 --> 00:22:00.259 He's risen from the grave. 00:22:00.399 --> 00:22:02.619 So that we might belong to him. 00:22:03.319 --> 00:22:06.240 So that one day we might be with him. 00:22:07.460 --> 00:22:08.019 Forever. 00:22:08.920 --> 00:22:10.879 In the world we all want. 00:22:11.720 --> 00:22:12.859 And when we get this. 00:22:12.960 --> 00:22:16.720 When we understand the hope that Jesus secures for us. 00:22:17.319 --> 00:22:19.779 Here's how we can live with pain. 00:22:20.379 --> 00:22:21.879 And with brokenness. 00:22:22.440 --> 00:22:23.319 And with loss. 00:22:23.319 --> 00:22:28.220 When we remember this is not our only body. 00:22:28.879 --> 00:22:31.419 This is not our only world. 00:22:32.879 --> 00:22:36.399 Our true country is waiting. 00:22:36.400 --> 00:22:41.100 So often it's the testimony of the persecuted church. 00:22:41.100 --> 00:22:44.860 They're able to persevere and go to prison and face death. 00:22:45.080 --> 00:22:46.580 Because they know. 00:22:47.820 --> 00:22:49.200 Jesus is the risen Lord. 00:22:49.700 --> 00:22:51.580 And when they die they'll go to be with him. 00:22:51.960 --> 00:22:55.600 And enjoy love and peace and joy forever. 00:22:56.300 --> 00:22:59.140 So the angels announce that Jesus is risen. 00:22:59.140 --> 00:23:06.300 And with that there's the wonderful promise of reconciliation and restoration. 00:23:06.700 --> 00:23:09.880 See the message of verse 7 from the angel. 00:23:10.060 --> 00:23:12.700 But go tell his disciples and Peter. 00:23:13.240 --> 00:23:15.680 He is going ahead of you into Galilee. 00:23:16.320 --> 00:23:19.740 There you will see him just as he told you. 00:23:19.740 --> 00:23:25.759 So here's a message for disciples who had run from Jesus side in fear. 00:23:26.180 --> 00:23:30.180 When the soldiers and the religious leaders had come to arrest him. 00:23:30.220 --> 00:23:31.120 They'd all fled. 00:23:31.579 --> 00:23:38.200 Here is the message of restoration for Peter who had denied even knowing Jesus. 00:23:38.200 --> 00:23:45.200 In the resurrection of Jesus there is hope for people who have made a mess of things. 00:23:46.539 --> 00:23:47.539 There is forgiveness. 00:23:48.299 --> 00:23:51.799 There is the promise of a restored relationship. 00:23:52.200 --> 00:23:55.120 Because Jesus goes on that journey to the cross. 00:23:55.660 --> 00:23:58.600 And beyond the cross to the resurrection. 00:23:59.799 --> 00:24:02.380 Here is a promise of a forgiveness that is final. 00:24:02.900 --> 00:24:05.420 Of a love that lasts. 00:24:05.420 --> 00:24:09.720 So Easter Sunday is for these disciples. 00:24:10.180 --> 00:24:11.220 Is for the church. 00:24:11.380 --> 00:24:12.039 Is for the world. 00:24:12.160 --> 00:24:13.980 The dawning of hope. 00:24:14.980 --> 00:24:17.400 Here is Jesus the willing victim. 00:24:17.400 --> 00:24:22.440 Who has now become the great hero in the story of salvation. 00:24:23.539 --> 00:24:28.279 Here is the entry point into the sort of love that we all long for. 00:24:28.380 --> 00:24:30.000 A love that will never end. 00:24:31.060 --> 00:24:33.120 A love that knows the very worst of us. 00:24:33.119 --> 00:24:35.619 But never turns its back on us. 00:24:38.159 --> 00:24:41.679 Here is the entry into the joy that never ends. 00:24:41.739 --> 00:24:44.699 And all of it as a gift of God's grace. 00:24:45.659 --> 00:24:47.239 So I wonder this Easter Sunday. 00:24:47.379 --> 00:24:51.159 Do we see the glory of King Jesus? 00:24:51.160 --> 00:24:57.519 Do we see that he made his journey on the coat towards the cross. 00:24:58.000 --> 00:25:00.140 Beyond the cross to the empty cave. 00:25:00.820 --> 00:25:03.440 For you and for me. 00:25:05.400 --> 00:25:06.660 What will we do with that? 00:25:06.759 --> 00:25:09.740 Will we have him as our King? 00:25:10.779 --> 00:25:15.820 Will we be his witnesses for the risen Lord Jesus this week? 00:25:15.819 --> 00:25:23.019 Will we seek to live in such a way that we can share this great news with someone else? 00:25:23.019 --> 00:25:26.539 Because Jesus has risen. 00:25:26.539 --> 00:25:27.220 Amen. 00:25:27.619 --> 00:25:28.299 Amen. 00:25:28.299 --> 00:25:28.940 Amen. 00:25:29.279 --> 00:25:29.519 Amen. 00:25:29.519 --> 00:25:31.319 Am I. 00:25:31.319 --> 00:25:31.420 Amen. 00:25:31.619 --> 00:25:33.019 Amen. 00:25:33.019 --> 00:25:33.500 Amen. 00:25:33.500 --> 00:25:33.759 Amen. 00:25:34.059 --> 00:25:34.119 Amen. 00:25:34.259 --> 00:25:34.359 Amen. 00:25:34.359 --> 00:25:36.480 Amen. 00:25:36.879 --> 00:25:38.700 Amen. 00:25:38.700 --> 00:25:39.740 Amen. 00:25:40.039 --> 00:25:40.440 Amen. 00:25:40.440 --> 00:25:40.879 Amen. 00:25:40.879 --> 00:25:42.700 Amen. 00:25:42.960 --> 00:25:43.759 Amen. 00:25:43.839 --> 00:25:44.920 Amen. 00:25:44.940 --> 00:25:45.000 Amen. 00:25:45.000 --> 00:25:45.039 Amen. 00:25:45.039 --> 00:25:49.200 Amen. 00:25:49.200 --> 00:25:49.659 Amen. 00:25:49.659 --> 00:25:50.079 Amen. 00:25:50.079 --> 00:25:50.700 Amen. 00:25:50.759 --> 00:25:51.359 Amen. 00:25:51.359 --> 00:25:51.960 Amen. 00:25:51.960 --> 00:25:52.460 Amen. 00:25:52.460 --> 00:25:52.700 Amen. 00:25:52.700 --> 00:25:53.460 Amen. 00:25:53.460 --> 00:25:53.700 Amen. 00:25:53.700 --> 00:25:53.819 Amen. 00:25:53.819 --> 00:25:54.220 Amen. 00:25:54.220 --> 00:25:54.319 Amen. 00:25:54.920 --> 00:25:55.759 Amen.