The One Thing That Changes Everything
Happy Easter! We want you to know City Awakening is a place where we want to see both skeptics and believers seek truth, find joy, and live with a purpose in our city. We believe that truth, joy, and purpose is found in Jesus, but even if you’re a skeptic who doesn’t believe that, you’re still welcome to come to our church. In fact we invite all of you to come back next week for a teaching series we’re doing on a book of the Bible called Ecclesiastes. It’s an 8 week teaching series we’re calling The Good Life. It’s about finding purpose and satisfaction in everyday life. So come back next week, for The Good Life.
But today’s Easter, which is all about the resurrection of Jesus. It’s all about a claim that was made, which is that Jesus has risen from the dead. Now you can believe that claim is true or isn’t true, but you can’t deny that a claim was made. It’s a historical fact that a claim was made, and if you believe that claim is true, it’ll change everything about your life. If you believe it isn’t true, it’ll change nothing about your life. In the words of Tim Keller, “If Jesus rose from the dead, then you have to accept everything he said. If he didn't rise from the dead, then why worry about anything he said?”Keller’s saying if the resurrection is true, it proves Jesus isn’t just another dead religious leader with teachings you can ignore. Instead it proves everything Jesus taught is true and shouldn’t be ignored. It proves Jesus isn’t a dead Savior, he’s a living Savior who can transform your entire life. The resurrection of Jesus is that one claim, that one thing, that can change everything, and that’s what we’re talking about today. So let’s turn to Luke 24 and get into it. If you open the bible to the middle, keep turning right, you’ll find Luke. We’ll be in Luke 24:1-48. Title of the message is That One Thing, and the big idea of the message is the resurrection is that one thing, that can change everything...The resurrection of Jesus is that one thing that changed everything for the first followers of Jesus, and it’s that one thing that can change everything for you...
Here’s your context. The Gospel of Luke was written by a man named Luke, who was a medical doctor and a historian. He wrote the Gospel of Luke to give us an accurate historical record of the events regarding the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. In the very first chapter he says in Luke 1:3-4, “I have carefully investigated everything from the very first...4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you’ve been taught.” What we’re studying today is his carefully investigated record of the resurrection of Jesus. We’re studying the events after Jesus has already been brutally tortured and crucified. He’s already died on the cross, been buried in a tomb, and his followers have scattered in fear, because they know they’re next on the hit list. Let’s check it out.
Luke 24:1 states, “On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared.” If you notice Luke’s giving us a timeline for these events, just like any good historian would do. He says these events happened on the first day of the week, which was a Sunday morning. Jesus was crucified and died on a Friday, but these events happened on the first day of the week, which was a Sunday. It’s the day Jesus said he’d rise again. Luke tells us some people went to the tomb early in the morning on that 3rd day, and in vs. 10 he says it was Mary Magdalen, Joanna, Mary the Mother of James, and several other women who were followers of Jesus. Then he gives us another important detail about these women bringing spices to the tomb, which is a clue they came to mourn, not to celebrate. It's a clue they came to mourn the death of Jesus, to finish traditional Jewish burial rites with spices, not to celebrate the resurrected life of Jesus. That little detail with the spices tells us they doubted, they didn’t believe Jesus would rise again on that 3rd day. They brought the spices to mourn, not to celebrate.
Now the reason I mentioned all these little details, is because historians know these little details prove Luke’s record isn’t ancient legendary literature, it’s historical testimony. For example Luke gives us a specific timeline that’s verifiable. But ancient legendary literature gives vague timelines that aren’t verifiable, such as “Once upon a time.” Luke gives us specific names of living people so others could verify the accuracy of his writings. But in ancient legendary literature they used mythical people or embellished stories that couldn’t be verified by others. Even the spices are a verifiable detail that aligns with traditional Jewish burial rites. It’s the inclusion of all these little details and more, that tells us Luke isn’t writing a legend, he’s writing history. As the famous historian N.T. Wright states, “The specifics in the resurrection narratives with named individuals and precise locations, isn’t the stuff of myths. It’s history, however startling the claim.” Luke isn’t writing a legend, he’s writing history. He’s writing the truth, so we can know the certainty of what happened on that 3rd day. He says the women came with spices to mourn, not to celebrate.
Again vs. 1, “On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3 They went in, but didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothes. 5 So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground. The men asked, ‘Why are you looking for the living among the dead? 6 He isn’t here, but he has risen!’” These women thought everything ended with Jesus in the tomb, but they’re now realizing Jesus has risen and conquered the tomb. They came to the tomb with spices and heavy hearts expecting to mourn, but they’re now walking away from the empty tomb with joyful hearts excited to celebrate! Everything changed in their lives when they finally realized he's risen! When they finally realized he’s risen, it turned their tears into dancing, their mourning into celebration! It’s that one thing, that changed everything in their lives, and they couldn’t wait to tell their friends.
Vs. 9, “Returning from the tomb, they reported all these things to the Eleven and all the rest. 10 Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them were telling the apostles these things. 11 But these words seemed like nonsense to them, and they didn’t believe the women.” So the women get excited and start sharing this good news with their friends, specifically the Eleven, which were the Eleven original disciples of Jesus. They were his closest friends, his inner circle, who he poured into for several years! He told them he’d die on the cross for the forgiveness of sins, rise again on the 3rd day, and they’d be witnesses to everything so they could share this good news with the world. But when the women tell them he’s risen, they didn’t believe the women. They didn’t believe the women, meaning they doubted too. They doubted Jesus would rise again, just like the women. In fact there isn’t a single historical record telling us the disciples were waiting at the tomb to see if Jesus had risen. There isn’t a single historical record of them saying, “Hey it’s Sunday, it’s the 3rd day, maybe we should check it out. Maybe we should see if he’s risen.” There isn’t anything even close to them saying something like that, and it’s because they doubted! They didn’t believe he’d rise again on the 3rd day, which is why the women had to go get them! It’s because none of them were waiting at the tomb to see if he had risen.
Again vs. 11, “But these words seemed like nonsense to them, and they didn’t believe the women. 12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. When he stooped to look in, he saw only the linen cloths., So he went away, amazedat what had happened.” What we’re learning here is Peter believes the women, so he runs to the tomb to check it out. In the Gospel of John we learn that John also believes the women, so he runs to the tomb with Peter, and both have their lives transformed when they see the empty tomb. It says they walked away amazed at what happened. They didn’t walk away doubting and mourning, instead they walked away believing and amazed. Everything changed in their lives when they finally realized he's risen! Everything changed when they saw the empty tomb. It’s that one thing, that changed everything, just like it did for the women.
Vs. 13, “Now that same day two of them were on their way to a village called Emmaus, which was about seven miles, from Jerusalem. 14 Together they were discussing everything that had taken place.” Here we have two of the Eleven disciples walking and discussing everything, meaning everything regarding the women, Peter, John, and the empty tomb. But we know they’re doubting too, because they don’t go to the tomb to check it out. They even admit they lost their faith and hope in Jesus in vs. 21. Vs. 21 states, “We were hoping he was the one to redeem Israel.” Notice the past tense. It says they were hoping, meaning they aren’t hoping anymore. It’s because when Jesus died, their faith and hope died with him. But in vs. 17-32 Jesus shows up to walk with them, to share a meal with them, and that’s when everything changed for them. They went from having no faith and hope to being filled with faith and hope, when they realized he’s risen. It’s that one thing, that changed everything, and they couldn’t wait to tell the others what happened.
Vs. 33, “That very hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem. They found the Eleven and those who were with them gathered together 34 saying, ‘The Lord has truly been raised, and has appeared to Simon!’” Notice they said the Lord has truly been raised, meaning they aren’t doubting anymore. They aren’t discussing and arguing over the facts anymore. It’s because they finally realized Jesus has truly been raised. It’s that one thing, that changed everything.
Vs. 36, “As they were saying these things, Jesus stood in their midst. He said to them, ‘Peace to you!’ 37 But they were startled and terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost. 38 ‘Why are you troubled?’ he asked them. ‘Why do doubts arise in your hearts?” Jesus is addressing the doubts of the other Eleven disciples here. They heard from the women, Peter, John, and the other two disciples, but they still have doubts arising in their hearts. So Jesus is addressing their doubts.
Vs. 39, “Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself! Touch me and see, because a ghost doesn’t have flesh and bones as you can see I have.’ 40 Having said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 But while they were still amazed and in disbelief because of their joy, he asked them, ‘Do you have anything here to eat?’ 42 So they gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate in their presence.” Once again we’re seeing how the resurrection of Jesus changes everything for them. They go from doubting, to being amazed and full of joy. The disbelief that’s mentioned here isn’t a doubting disbelief like they had before. It’s an excited disbelief like when you see your favorite team win a championship and you’re like, “I can’t believe it! I can’t believe we won!” That’s what’s happening here. They’re like, “I can’t believe it! I can’t believe we won! I can’t believe he’s truly risen!” It’s an excited disbelief because of their joy the text says. They’re full of joy over seeing Jesus rise again. It’s that one thing, that changes everything for them. Easter is all about a claim that was made, and we’re repeatedly seeing it’s that one thing, that changes everything. But the question is, why should you believe it’s true? The text tells us...
Vs. 45,”Then Jesus opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46 He said to them, ‘This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things.’” There’s the reason you should believe the claim that he’s risen is true. It’s because this scared, skeptical, small group of people ended up sharing what they witnessed, and it’s spread to the nations like Jesus said. It’s a good reason to believe this claim is true, because there’s no reason for them to risk being tortured and crucified by the Romans, being witnesses for a dead Savior. I mean if Jesus didn’t rise again, what are they supposed to tell people they witnessed? “That Jesus lived, died, and stayed dead! So put your faith in him!” Ah no thanks!...I’m not putting my faith in a dead savior!...Just like we wouldn’t put our faith in a dead savior, they weren’t willing to do that either, which is why they all doubted! But the reason they started risking their lives, the reason most of them were eventually tortured and killed for sharing this claim, is because they realized Jesus is a living Savior not a dead savior! They risked their lives because they realized the hit list they once feared didn’t matter, since Jesus has resurrecting power. They risked their entire lives to be witnesses for that one thing, that changed everything, and if you believe that one thing, it can change everything for your life too.
It can change everything for your life too, because the resurrection isn’t a legend! It’s a true historical event! It’s actually more than a true historical event, it’s a personal invitation from Jesus to go through daily life with him. Just like the people in the text your hope and joy can be restored every day, when you go through daily life with him. You don’t have to let yesterday’s sins and struggles define today, because every day is a new day, a fresh start, with fresh hope in Jesus. When you wake up, you can ask Jesus to guide you. When you face tough situations, you can ask Jesus to help you. When you face temptation, you can ask Jesus to give a way out of that temptation. When you want to know what’s morally true, what brings the most joy in life, or what your purpose is in life, you can sit with Jesus and study his teachings, because the resurrection proves everything he taught is always true and best for your life! The resurrection is that one thing, that can change everything, because it’s a personal invitation to go through daily life with Jesus. It's a personal invitation and guarantee, that you can have eternal forgiveness, friendship, hope, and joy with Jesus. We need to remember Jesus didn’t just die on the cross for our sins, he also walked out of the tomb to prove it worked...The resurrection is his personal invitation and guarantee, that the best is yet to come, because there’s a resurrection that’s coming for your life too!
I think Joni Eareckson Tada does a great job at capturing the present and future hope the resurrection of Jesus gives us. When she was a teenager, Tada broke her neck in a diving accident and became a quadriplegic. She’s currently in her 70’s, and one day she started bursting into tears over her situation, but then Tada said, “I remembered the resurrection!...And the first thing I plan to do on my resurrected legs, is drop on my glorified knees before the feet of Jesus. Then I’ll get on my feet and start dancing!...Can you imagine the hope this gives to someone with a spinal cord injury like mine? Can you imagine the hope this gives to someone who is manic depressive? No other religion promises new bodies in a new material universe. Only in the gospel of Jesus, do hurting people like me find such enormous hope to live!” On a different occasion Tada said, “I hope I can take my wheelchair to heaven. With my new glorified body, I’ll stand up on resurrected legs and say, ‘Jesus, do you see that wheelchair? When you put me in it, it was a lot of trouble. But the weaker I was in that thing, the harder I leaned on you. The harder I leaned on you, the stronger I discovered you to be. I don’t think I would’ve ever known the glory of your grace, if it wasn’t for the weakness of that wheelchair. So thank you for that Jesus...Now if you like, you can send that thing to hell!’” What she’s saying is the resurrection is that one thing, that can change everything. It’s that one thing, that can turn your hopeless tears into joyful dancing again. It’s a personal invitation and guarantee, that the best really is yet to come for your life, because there’s a resurrection that’s coming for your life. When you’re ready to quit on life, you need to remember your worst days aren’t your last days, because there’s a resurrection that’s coming!
To the people struggling with family issues, a resurrection is coming!
To the people struggling with financial issues, a resurrection is coming!
To the people struggling with work issues, a resurrection is coming!
To the people struggling with sins and addictions you’re fighting to break, a resurrection is coming!
To the people struggling with cancer, disabilities, physical issues, a resurrection is coming!
To the people struggling with depression, anxiety, emotional issues, a resurrection is coming!
It doesn’t matter who you are or what you’ve done, if you put your faith in Jesus, believe he died for your sins on the cross, and believe the claim that he’s risen from the dead! Then it means the best is yet to come for your life, because you have a resurrection that’s coming!
The big idea of the message is the resurrection is that one thing, that can change everything. ...The resurrection of Jesus is that one thing that changed everything for the first followers of Jesus, and it’s that one thing that can change everything for you...Like I said before Easter is all about a claim that was made, which is that Jesus has risen. If you’re a skeptic, what if you stopped doubting that claim, and accepted it?...What if you believed it’s true?...What if you believed Jesus died on the cross for your sins, rose from the dead, and has the resurrecting power to save and transform your life?...If you put your faith in Jesus today, that one thing, will change everything for you...
If you’re a believer, are you living like that claim is true?...Are you living like you have a risen Savior, or a dead Savior?...Are you walking around with the peace, hope, joy, confidence of the empty tomb, or are you walking around like you’re attending a funeral?...Whatever areas in your life feel like a funeral, remind yourself that the tomb was empty and that you have a living Savior. Remind yourself that he can overcome all your fears and failures, and that the best is yet to come, because you have a resurrection that’s coming. The resurrection of Jesus is that one thing, that can change everything. So put your faith in Jesus today, and let it change you!...Let’s pray...