1. Happy Easter! Today is Resurrection Sunday, the day we celebrate Jesus’s resurrection from the dead. From the very beginning of Christianity, believers have honored Sunday as Resurrection Sunday. Early Christians testified to having witnessed the risen Jesus and shared their personal encounters with His resurrected body. However, as time passed and the original eyewitnesses were no longer present, the resurrection became more of a theological concept. Yet, the belief in Jesus’s resurrection remains at the very heart of our faith. Therefore, even though we already know and believe in Jesus’s resurrection, I hope today’s sermon will be an opportunity for us to reflect on and examine our faith. Let us read Luke 24:1-12.

Luke 24:1–4 NASB 2020

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in gleaming clothing;

Luke 24:5–8 NASB 2020

and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why are you seeking the living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise from the dead.” And they remembered His words,

Luke 24:9–12 NASB 2020

and returned from the tomb and reported all these things to the eleven, and to all the rest. Now these women were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James; also the other women with them were telling these things to the apostles. But these words appeared to them as nonsense, and they would not believe the women. Nevertheless, Peter got up and ran to the tomb; and when he stooped and looked in, he saw the linen wrappings only; and he went away to his home, marveling at what had happened.

2. I have been pursuing my PhD in historical theology since 2022, following the completion of my Master’s dissertation in 2021. During my Master’s studies, I focused on comparative historical and systematic theology, and I have continued to apply this methodology in my PhD research. In comparative historical theology, the approach typically involves selecting at least two figures or events from a similar historical period to compare. The process begins by examining the strengths and weaknesses—both the positive and negative aspects—of each subject. Then, through careful analysis and comparison, the study aims to propose possible applications or solutions that contribute to the academic field, to society, and to the church. For today’s sermon, I would like to apply the same methodology from my PhD work, even though we are not comparing two historical events or figures. I believe this approach can still offer valuable insights for our reflection. As a theologian, I’ve learned to see contrasting themes in Scripture—here, grief and hope, fear and belief—and I believe the resurrection invites us to see these contrasts in our own lives.

3. What do we do when hope dies? The women at the tomb that morning weren’t looking for resurrection. They were just trying to grieve. Now, in Luke 24:1-12, there are two ideas. Even if Luke didn't mean for us to see it this way, we can learn something about today by comparing these two ideas. These ideas are:  

I. Sadness vs. Hope (Luke 24:1–4)

II. Fear vs. Belief (Luke 24:5–8)

III. Empty vs. Alive (Luke 24:9–12)

4. After Jesus died, some women went to the tomb where his body had been placed early on Sunday morning. But they were very surprised and scared because the tomb was empty. When Jesus died, the women and his followers were sad and confused. They didn't know what to do or where to go. Usually, when someone dies, it means their life on earth is over. They no longer need to eat, breathe, or even walk. Everything they worked for ends. Their relationships, conversations, and all their efforts on earth come to a stop. That's why people feel sad when a family member or friend dies. Last Wednesday, a friend of mine in Pelly passed away. He was 99 years old and one of the people who started the Pelly Fellowship Chapel. I still remember my first visit to Pelly. He let me stay his home for a week. During that week, I asked him why the church decided to interview me. He said that if we cut our skin now, we would see the same color of blood and bones. He used a hearing aid, and I had trouble speaking. We were both weak, and he believed that if we worked together, we could bring honor to God. His words and thoughts really touched me. Because of him and my seven years in Pelly, how I see the world and my understanding of ministry have completely changed.

5. I felt sad because I couldn't see him or talk to him anymore on earth. The women and the followers felt the same way I did last Wednesday. They couldn't hear Jesus teach, see what he did, and things like that. The saddest part was that Jesus' work seemed to be over. The people who followed him scattered. They went back to their old jobs.

John 21:1–3 NIV

Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

6. In that very sad time, the women discovered that the tomb was empty. They were told that Jesus was not there. The angel told them that Jesus had come back to life!

Mark 16:6–7 MSG

He said, “Don’t be afraid. I know you’re looking for Jesus the Nazarene, the One they nailed on the cross. He’s been raised up; he’s here no longer. You can see for yourselves that the place is empty. Now—on your way. Tell his disciples and Peter that he is going on ahead of you to Galilee. You’ll see him there, exactly as he said.”

7. Because Jesus came back to life, their sadness changed to joy. Before, they were afraid, but now they had hope. It's really important to be able to see what we can do in our lives, because if we can't, we get scared. Have you ever been to an amusement park? They usually have a haunted house. It's a frightening place. It's dark inside, and we can't see what might jump out. That's why we feel afraid when we go in. There's a way of thinking called existentialism that tries to understand people and their thoughts. According to this idea, we can become depressed or worried when we can't see what our next step is. When they talk about our next step, they mean hope. Because God understands our weaknesses and how much we rely on what we can see and expect, he changes our sadness into joy.

Psalm 30:11–12 NLT

You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!

8. The resurrection of Jesus made them joyful and hopeful. They realized what they could do from then on. They could go to the other followers and tell them this good news. They could share what they had seen and heard. In the past, we don't find proof that they gave sermons during church gatherings in the first century. Because they didn't have their own Bible yet, they shared their personal stories about Jesus. When they shared what they experienced, it became a form of worship and praise. They couldn't hold back their joy when they talked about Jesus' resurrection. Their fear disappeared, and they found hope in Jesus. Once they had hope in Jesus, they knew what they needed to do. They went out into the world to tell others who Jesus is and what he has done for them.

Mark 16:14–16 NASB 2020

Later He appeared to the eleven disciples themselves as they were reclining at the table; and He reprimanded them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who had seen Him after He had risen from the dead. And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. The one who has believed and has been baptized will be saved; but the one who has not believed will be condemned.

Mark 16:17–18 NASB 2020

These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not harm them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

9. So, the opposite of faith isn't not believing, it's being afraid. We can become fearful when we don't have faith. If we can't see what's next, we get scared because we don't trust ourselves or our situation. That's why we won't be afraid of God if we have faith in Christ. Faith gives us hope and makes us brave in God. When they found hope in God, they began Jesus' work. When they were no longer afraid, they could follow Jesus' example.

Acts 3:6–8 ESV

But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.

Acts 3:9–10 ESV

And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

10. Before Jesus was crucified, his followers scattered. When Jesus was hanging on the cross, they said they didn't know him. They were afraid. But when the Holy Spirit came to them, their fear disappeared. When Jesus came back to life and met them, their failure was gone. Jesus made them whole again with his sacrifice and love.

John 21:15–16 NASB 2020

Now when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My lambs.” He said to him again, a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.”

John 15:17–19 NASB 2020

This I command you, that you love one another. “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.

11. What part of your life feels like a sealed tomb today? Will you let the risen Christ speak into that place? Our belief in Christ isn’t about being afraid—it’s about living with hope. Faith gives us a new kind of sight: it lets us see beyond the darkness to the light of His return. Jesus rose from the grave, and that resurrection is a promise that He will come again. We may not know when, but our faith assures us that He is coming. His resurrection is the beginning of new life. The old is gone, and the new has come. So let us live with holy hope. Let us walk in resurrection faith. Jesus has risen! He has risen indeed!

Podcast: https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/68126ade-91b6-41f7-89b3-f8a3d29af8a1/audio

Quiz

Instructions: Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences each, based on the provided text.

• According to the sermon, what is the significance of Sunday for Christians, and what shift occurred over time regarding the understanding of the resurrection?

• The speaker mentions their PhD research methodology. Briefly describe the core approach of comparative historical theology as explained in the text.

• In the sermon, what were the initial emotions and expectations of the women who went to Jesus' tomb on the first day of the week?

• The speaker draws parallels between the sadness of Jesus' followers after his death and a personal experience. Describe that personal experience and the reason for the speaker's sadness.

• What key message did the angel convey to the women at the tomb, and how did this news impact their initial feelings?

• The sermon contrasts sadness with joy. Explain how the resurrection of Jesus led to this transformation in his followers.

• According to the speaker, what is a way to understand fear in relation to faith? Provide a brief explanation based on the text.

• Describe what happened to the disciples' fear after the resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit, as mentioned in the sermon.

• What specific action did Peter take upon hearing the women's report, and what did he find at the tomb?

• In the concluding remarks, what does the speaker encourage the audience to do in light of their belief in Christ's resurrection?

Quiz Answer Key

• Sunday is significant for Christians as Resurrection Sunday, celebrating Jesus's rising from the dead. While early Christians witnessed the risen Jesus, over time, the resurrection became more of a theological concept as eyewitnesses passed away.

• Comparative historical theology involves comparing at least two figures or events from a similar historical period by examining their strengths and weaknesses. The goal is to analyze these comparisons to propose applications or solutions that benefit academia, society, and the church.

• The women went to the tomb early on Sunday morning to grieve and bring spices they had prepared for Jesus's body. They were not expecting a resurrection but were met with an empty tomb, causing surprise and fear.

• The speaker felt sad when their friend in Pelly passed away because they could no longer see or talk to him on earth. This mirrored how Jesus's followers felt after his death, missing his teachings and presence.

• The angel told the women that Jesus was not in the tomb because he had risen from the dead, as he had foretold. This news shifted their sadness and fear into joy and hope.

• The resurrection of Jesus changed the followers' sadness to joy by demonstrating that death had been overcome and that Jesus's work was not finished. This gave them a renewed sense of purpose and the good news to share.

• The speaker suggests that the opposite of faith isn't disbelief, but rather fear. Fear arises when we lack faith and cannot see what the future holds, leading to a lack of trust in ourselves or our circumstances.

• Before Jesus's crucifixion, the disciples were fearful and even denied knowing him. However, after Jesus's resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit, their fear disappeared, and they were empowered to carry out Jesus's work.

• Upon hearing the women's report, Peter got up and ran to the tomb. When he looked inside, he saw only the linen wrappings, marveling at what had happened.

• The speaker encourages the audience to identify areas in their lives that feel like a sealed tomb and to allow the risen Christ to bring hope to those places, living with resurrection faith and the assurance of his return.