244 Easter Isn't What You Think - It Changes Everything

The Resurrection of Easter does change everything. This is the most monumental event of history. It transforms the meaning of the cross from defeat to deliverance, we now know that we matter to God, it brings the presence of God into our daily lives and it guarantees our future. We are forever indebted to God for the miracle of the resurrection of Jesus. Friday is here but thank God Sunday is Coming!

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SHOW NOTES

Easter Revisited

IT’S FRIDAY and no one grasps that Jesus is going to die.

1. The theology and culture of the Jews predicted the Messiah would live fore ever.

John 12:34 NLT The crowd responded, “We understood from Scripture that the Messiah

would live forever. How can you say the Son of Man will die? Just who is this Son of

Man, anyway?” (Psalm 110:4, Isaiah 9:7, Daniel 2:44; 7:14).

2. The disciples had witnessed Jesus’ escape arrest or death at least 8 times.

1. When Jesus called out those in the Nazareth synagogue for their unbelief (Luke 4:16–30).

Jesus read from Isaiah 61:1–2 and applied the prophecy to Himself. The listeners were amazed. He then went on to mention how God cared for foreigners, and not just the Jews. When they heard that, they were filled with rage and drove Jesus out of town. They tried to throw Him off a cliff, but Jesus passed through the crowd and left.

2. When Jesus challenged the Pharisee’s traditions about the Sabbath (Matthew 12:1–14; Mark 2:23–3:6; Luke 6:1–11).

The Pharisees had many traditions they followed, especially about the Sabbath Day. They added these traditions along with God’s Word and enforced them on others. However, Jesus would have none of it.He justified his disciples picking grain as they walked through a field. He also healed a man’s hand on theSabbath. The Pharisees were so in love with their traditions that they began to plot how to destroy Jesus.

3. When Jesus placed Himself above the Pharisee’s level of authority (John 5:1–18).

Jesus healed a paralyzed man on the Sabbath and told him to take his mat with him. The Pharisees confronted this man, “You are breaking God’s law by carrying your mat on the Sabbath.” The man told the Pharisees that Jesus had healed him and told him to carry his mat. The Pharisees wanted to kill Jesus because of this.

4. When Jesus called Himself by God’s name (John 8:48–59).

In another confrontation with the Jews, Jesus told them, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad” (John 8:56).

The Jews mockingly replied, “You aren’t even 50 years old yet, and have you seen Abraham?”Jesus said, “Before Abraham was, I AM” (John 8:57–58).

Claiming to be the I AM meant Jesus was claiming to be God (Exodus 3:14). The Jews picked up stones to kill Jesus but he passed through the middle of the mob and left.

5. When Jesus referred to Himself as being God (John 10:31–39).

Once again, during the middle of a discussion, the Jews picked up stones to stone Jesus to death. He asked them which good work from the Father they were going to kill Him for.

They said, “Because You are a man, and you are making yourself God.” Jesus replied, “Look at the works I’m doing. Clearly, God must be behind the message.” Jesus could do no miracles if God disapproved of His teaching. The mob ignored Jesus and tried to seize Him anyway — but once again, the Lord escaped.

6. When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:45–57).

After Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, which proved He is “the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25), the Pharisees met to figure out what they were going to do with Jesus.

They decided that the only course of action to preserve their power was to put Jesus to death (John 11:53). From this time on, they looked for an opportunity to seize Jesus.

7. When Jesus cleansed the temple of corruption (Mark 11:15–18; Luke 19:45–48).

When Jesus arrived in Jerusalem before His crucifixion, He went into the temple court of the Gentiles and drove out the animals the merchants were selling. These merchants were taking advantage of people by charging exorbitant amounts and preventing Gentiles from worshipping. Jesus taught every day in the temple and the crowds around him prevented the leaders from killing him.

8. When Jesus told the chief priests and Pharisees that the kingdom of God would be taken from them and given to another nation (Matthew 21:33–46; Mark 12:1–12; Luke 20:9–19).

Their rejection of Jesus the Messiah sealed their fate and ground them “into powder” (Luke 20:18).

The leaders of the people wanted to seize Jesus and kill Him at that very moment, but they were afraid of the people. (Jameson Steward)

Because of these experiences the disciples would not have believed Jesus would die. Judasprobably thought he would make some easy money off the priests by betraying Jesus. Jesus would then subvert their attempts to arrest or kill him and they would have an extra 30 pieces of silver.

IT’S SABBATH

After Jesus death no one thought he would resurrect.

Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus had spent a fortune on entombing spices (John

19:40).

Mary of Magdala and the other women would bring more entombing spices on Sunday

morning (Luke 24:1).

Mary meets the “gardener” on Sunday and asks where he has put the body (John 20:15)

The disciples would not believe the women’s report that Jesus was alive (Luke 24:11, 38;

John 20:9).

Thomas would not believe the disciples (John 20:25).

The two disciples on the road to Emmaus did not believe he was alive (Luke 24:24).

The priests had the tomb secured by the Romans to prevent the disciples abducting the

body (Matthew 24:64).

On this Sabbath Jesus rested but his friends experienced unnecessary dismay,

discouragement and depression. They were so full of their own aspirations and opinions they could not “hear” the announcements by Jesus that he was going to die. Now their expectations were extinguished. Their hopes were dashed. Their future was dismal. But God is working towards Sunday morning early (John 5:17).

IT’S SUNDAY

After the Resurrection Jesus has no retribution for Anyone.

Jesus’ repeated greeting to his followers is: ‘Peace be unto you. Do not be afraid.”

Jesus never appears to unbelievers (1 Corinthians 15:1-10). He is sparing them

nightmares and other trauma.

Joy filled the hearts of the disciples but they went back to fishing our of their sense of

failure (John 21). But Jesus would find them on lake Galilee and call them again to be

fishers of men.

Jesus is the good shepherd. He cares for his erring sheep by searching for them and

bringing them home again. It is not our search for God—which is religion but his

searching for us which guarantees our final destination.

EASTER MEDITATION

On Friday there was a violent earthquake and the darkening of the day

and we tried to explain the supernatural.

But our explanations left us uncomfortable and troubled.

Bad Friday was about the sadness and the suffering of God,

It was about our somber, sober and sinful world

full of discouragement, depression and death.

But Good Friday was also about promised light, life and love.

Friday was a day of a few revivals and fewer resurrections.

Friday was a day when God seemed passive and pathetic,

Easter Sunday is a day when God is amazing, abounding and active.

It is a time of many revivals and many resurrections.

Friday: the world had its way with God.

Sunday: God had his way with the world.

Friday: We are shaken and taken by death

Sunday: We are shaken and taken by life.

Ours is a world of stoic resignation but

it has been transformed into a world of stupendous anticipation.

Light, life and love have triumphed

over darkness, depression and death.

Through Tutankhamen’s opened tomb we viewed the distant past

through Joseph=s opened tomb we grasp the dazzling future.

In Matthew 1 the angel announced God would overshadow Mary=s womb

in Matthew 28 the same angel announced God has escaped Joseph=s tomb.

At Easter we remember

Truth has triumphed over falsehood

Good has triumphed over evil.

The gentleness of right has triumphed over the violence of wrong.

God's affection has triumphed over hatred and selfishness.

God's eternal life has triumphed over death and destruction.

Holy, holy, holy

Lord God Almighty

Who was, and is, and is to come.

Hallelujah, Alleluia and Amen.

The Crucifixion: left the believers in complete disarray: Miracles were now distant memories; Fear filled them with hopelessness; Cowardice darkened their comprehension.

But the Resurrection:

1. The Resurrection Changed the meaning of the cross from defeat to deliverance.

On Friday evil has apparently defeated God, goodness and grace.

It seemed God has failed, but it is the dawn of the Sabbath of God—He is resting.

On Sunday morning it is clear evil had been defeated by the cross.

God, goodness and grace triumph when the tomb bursts open.

God succeeds. He is no longer resting!

He is no longer the victim of suffering but the LORD of life!

The resurrection changes our perspective on suffering.

It will not always be this way!

Jesus patiently endured suffering. We can too because a better day is coming.

2. The Resurrection Affirmed that this world, this body, and this life matters to God.

Why did Jesus experience a physical resurrection? It is to indicate the value of our present life. Our bodies will be resurrected like His was. We will eat and drink, be touched and recognized. The original is restored. Heaven and earth are renewed, not replaced. We do not move to another galaxy. Our world was meant to be a good place and because of God it will be the best place.

3. The Resurrection Secured the presence of God in daily life.

The angels said: "He is not here. He is risen."

The angels could have said: "He is risen. He is here."

Now the Holy Spirit is here.

When dreams collapse and memories lapse

God was with Jesus through the cross and the resurrection, and

God is with us.

4. The Resurrection Governs our conduct.

Take away the resurrection and Christianity collapses.

It is the light and life of the Christian, the Living Christ, the abiding Spirit.

5. The Resurrection Guarantees our future.

We are passengers on the ship of life. We do not have the final word about our arrivals and departures. Just when we achieve a little understanding we must die. The resurrection assures us there is more, much more to life.

Teddy Roosevelt was returning from another hunting trip in Africa. On the same boat

was a missionary couple returning from a lifetime of service and suffering in Africa. On arrival, the missionaries were sure the crowds were there to welcome them home after their many years of sacrifice. The crowds followed Roosevelt and his trophies. The missionaries were miserable in their disappointment. She went shopping. When she returned, he was again his happy self.

"We are not home yet! " was his response.

“We must wait a bit longer.”

Jesus’ resurrection guarantees our resurrection, now by faith and then by fact in the future.

Even so come LORD Jesus our Messiah, our Christ. Our hope is in you.

Ian Hartley 2026