Made New: How Easter Changes Everything

Easter Sunday--April 20, 2025

Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the tomb. ² And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone, and sat upon it. ³ And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. ⁴ The guards shook from fear of him and became like dead men. ⁵ And the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. ⁶ He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. ⁷ And go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you to Galilee. There you will see Him; behold, I have told you." ⁸ And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to report to His disciples. ⁹ And behold, Jesus met them and said,  "Rejoice!" And they came up and took hold of His feet, and worshiped Him. ¹⁰ Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go, bring word to My brothers to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me." --Matthew 28:1-10 (NASB)

The BIG Idea:

Easter morning revealed an empty tomb because Jesus had risen from the grave. The two women who first made the discovery had a choice to make. Do they trust the "Good News," or do they ignore the evidence in front of them? The resurrection of Jesus was good news that changed the lives of the disciples and by their impact, the world. We have the same choice to make as the woman did. When we choose faith, we are found "in Christ" and our lives are made new.

What appeared to be a disaster turned out to be only the beginning.

Easter confronts our fears and offers us joy.

ILLUSTRATION: The paralyzed child who chose to see her best days as being yet to come.

A proper response to Easter is faith.

⁹ that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; ¹⁰ for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. ¹¹ For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame." --Romans 10:9-13 (NASB)

Jesus is still in the transformation business.

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. --II Corinthians 5:17 (NASB)

Live by the windshield, not the rearview mirror.

¹³ Brothers and sisters, I do not regard myself as having taken hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. --Philippians 3:13-14 (NASB)

To move past our past, we must put it to death.

²⁰ I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. ²¹ I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly. --Galatians 2:20-21 (NASB)

We move forward in faith because of His Resurrection!

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in mercy. --Psalm 103:8 (NASB)

⁹ This was the true Light that, coming into the world, enlightens every person. ¹⁰ He was in the world, and the world came into being through Him, and yet the world did not know Him. ¹¹ He came to His own, and His own people did not accept Him. ¹² But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name, ¹³ who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of a man, but of God. --John 1:9-13 (NASB)

Everyone is welcome into the family of God because of Jesus.

True faith requires action. (Read Luke 7 and the story of the Roman Centurion.)

 

 

Questions for Reflection:

How do you think the women were feeling when they came to the tomb on that first Easter morning? How do you think they felt when they left?

What does it mean to be "in Christ?"

Why do you think we must become "new creations" so we may experience the fullness of Christ?

Why is being made "new" as a new creation such an integral part of the Christian faith?

How does Jesus's life, death, and resurrection affect our past sins?

What about the grace of God are you most grateful for today? How does God s grace affect your future?

What makes you feel unworthy to be a part of God s family?

What would make you feel honored to be a part of God s family?

What is the relationship between our faith and our works?