Enter Hope – Easter Sunrise Sermon 2008

 + In Nomine Jesu +
Easter Sunrise
The Rev. Evan P. Gaertner
March 23, 2008
“Enter Hope”
John 20:1-18

 Enter Hope

Today by coming to this service you have determined to enter into a story that is radically different than any other. On Good Friday Joseph of Arimathea buried hope when he buried Jesus. The women followed and watched Joseph and Nicodemus. They watched their hope sealed into that tomb.

For anyone that has ever given up I want you to listen to what these women do next.

They went on the first day of the week to that tomb early, while it was still dark. They went the first opportunity they could after the Sabbath. They did not wait or think about or check the internet or play a few video games first. They went to the tomb.

They went to the only place any chance of hope would be found. All reason presumed that the same answer that finished Good Friday would be the way this eighth day began. Jesus died. But these women went. Now they did not expect Jesus to be alive. When they saw that the stone had been taken away from tomb Mary Magdalene ran to Simon Peter and the beloved disciple and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.”

She began that morning not expecting Jesus to be raised from the dead. But going to Jesus was the only thing that made sense to her. I find in this a wonderful description of how we can a have a faith that does not always have the answers.

When you have reason to give up hope I want you to continue to come to your Lord Jesus. Jesus opens doors.

Simon Peter and the beloved disciple ran to the tomb. The beloved disciple arrived at the tomb first. He stooped down and he saw the linen cloths lying there. Then Simon Peter entered hope. Simon Peter entered the empty tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there and the face cloth folded up in a place by itself. The shroud of death had been lifted. The stone had been rolled away and the invitation to find hope had been sent.

The other disciple then went in and entered hope, he entered the empty tomb. He saw and he believed.

No matter where you are I want you to enter hope, enter the tomb and find that Jesus lives. Even if you are like the women that went that first day expecting Jesus to be there in the tomb behind the stone, go and enter hope.

In this world there are so many reasons to be disappointed and frustrated with the failed promises of others. Our former governor let down a lot of people that had been excited to vote for him. Children do not always follow the paths of their parents and have found themselves far away from being the church. Our hope sometime seems empty. But I want you to enter hope, enter the tomb. You will find the tomb is empty and God’s promises are full of truth for you.

Be not afraid as you leave the empty tomb to go back to a world that is divided and disappointed. Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. She looked into the tomb. She saw the two angels and they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”

Maybe you have gotten angry recently when he heard something in the news. Maybe you were saddened when something dreadful happened and you did not have the answers. It is hard when it seems like Satan works to steal are reasons for hope.

Mary explains, “They have taken away my Lord and I do not know where they have laid him.”

Jesus at this moment comes to Mary and asks her again, “Woman why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?”

“Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”

Tell me where I should put my hope. Jesus answers with personal words. Jesus knows her. He says to her, “Mary.”

Enter Hope on this Easter Day. Enter the joy of knowing that your savior Jesus Christ could not be defeated sin, death or the devil. Enter hope today. Be not afraid for your savior lives.

Go Into the World. Jesus told Mary, “Go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord.”

Today you have come to the tomb and found that it is empty. Today you have heard the good news that your redeemer lives. You are now Easter People. You are now people of the resurrection who have Entered Hope and Go into the world and proclaim the truth. Jesus lives, the victory is won.

Soli Deo Gloria