Easter 2022
“‘Why are you looking for the living among the dead?’” (Luke 24:5b)
Wasn’t it obvious? How dare they ask us this question! Jesus had died. He breathed His last breath, gave up His Spirit, and died. He would no longer walk among us. He would no longer make us laugh, hold us when we cried, or make us gasp in awe when He walked on the water. He would no longer reveal the truths of God. He was gone.
“‘He is not here, but he has risen!’” (Luke 24:6a)
What? Jesus is not here! But we saw His body pierced, bloody, and disfigured. We saw His wrapped body laid to rest in this very tomb. We watched as the stone was rolled into place and sealed by the guards. Dead bodies don’t just get up and walk. But wait…Lazarus did.
“‘Remember…’” (Luke 24:6a)
Oh yes…His death was not a surprise for Jesus. He told us he would have to go to Jerusalem, suffer, and die. But He also said something about being raised on the third day (Matthew 16:21). Today is the third day. Does that mean…?
Jesus also told us He would be betrayed and killed, but He would rise three days later (Mark 9:31). We never asked Him what that meant. Did it really mean…? Do we dare hope?
He described what would happen to Him: He would be mocked, insulted, spit upon, flogged. He would be killed! But every time, He also said He would rise three days later (Luke 18:32-33). Could He really mean it? Could He do it?
We trembled as we gathered close to each other, holding on to one another as we grasped feebly onto the hope that left us Friday afternoon. Tears streamed from our eyes as we tried to reconcile the men’s words with the truth of Jesus’ death.
“‘Why are you crying? Who is it that you’re seeking?’” (John 20:15)
How could this man not know what had happened just three days ago? This tomb was empty just days ago! He should well know who was laid to rest here. Why would we not be crying?
“‘Mary’” (John 20:16a)
We gasp. Jesus! Alive! Breathing! Walking! He’s right there! Smiling! He is with us! We fall to our knees. He is with us. God is with us. How could we not have known?
Are you the only one who doesn’t know the things that happened in Jerusalem in these days? (Luke 24:18, paraphrased)
We couldn’t believe it! How had this man missed everything? Jesus had died! Our own leaders had Him crucified. The one we thought would redeem Israel. He was so powerful in word and deed. We had such hope. Now the women were telling us some fanciful tale of Jesus rising from the dead. He could raise others from the dead, but how could He raise Himself? (Luke 24:19-24)
“‘How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken!’” (Luke 24:25)
Well, excuse me. He just said He wasn’t there. Didn’t He? Well, He asked us what had happened, so, of course, He wasn’t there.
“‘Wasn’t it necessary for the Messiah to suffer these things…’” (Luke 24:26a)
Necessary! How could such pain and suffering be necessary! He didn’t see the things they did to Jesus! The words they shouted at Him. The things they did to Him! He had done nothing wrong! How could this have been necessary.
Let me tell you…
Such wisdom! Such authority! He understands the Scriptures like no one I have ever heard. Wait…Jesus was like this. Who is this man? Don’t go on, sir. Stay with us and eat a meal. Please, we have more than enough, and the day is nearly over.
He blesses the bread. He seems so familiar. He breaks the bread. Jesus!
Wait, where did He go? He was just here! He couldn’t have just disappeared. He did. Wasn’t your heart burning within you as He spoke to us and explained the Scriptures to us? (Luke 24:32)
Jesus is alive! He was with us! He broke the bread before us…do you remember the Passover meal? He said, “‘This is my body, which is given for you.’” (Luke 22:19). He broke the bread and gave it to us. He died for us, didn’t He? It was all for us. Remember when He spoke of the prophet Isaiah’s words: “and the LORD has punished him for the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6b).
It was necessary, but not because He had done anything wrong. It was necessary because we are separated from God by our sin. He died for us.
Isaiah 52:13-53:12 – A Prayer
See, my Servant will be successful;
He will be raised and lifted up and greatly exalted.
Oh God, may the work of your Son
glorify You forever! His life, His death, and
His resurrection all serve to bring us to You
and reveal You to us.
Just as many were appalled at you –
His appearance was so disfigured
that He did not look like a man,
and His form did not resemble a human being –
so He will sprinkle many nations.
Kings will shut their mouths because of Him,
for they will see what had not been told them,
and they will understand what they had not heard.
We did not understand who Jesus was.
They mocked and hurt and abused the Lord Jesus until
He was unrecognizable. May we know who He is now.
Let Him be revealed to the lost and searching!
Who has believed what we have heard?
And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
He grew up before Him like a young plan
and like a root out of dry ground.
He didn’t have any impressive form or majesty
that we should look at him,
no appearance that we should desire him.
He grew up like us all.
He appeared no different than
the next man walking down the road.
There was nothing that stood out about Him,
yet He changed the world.
He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of suffering who knew what sickness was.
He was like someone people turned away from;
He was despised, and we didn’t value Him.
Yet He Himself bore our sicknesses,
and He carried our pains;
but we in turn regarded Him stricken,
struck down by God, and afflicted.
He knew the wounds we carried.
He knew the sickness of sin that had infected
our bodies, our souls, and our very world.
We despised Him and turned our backs on Him,
but still He carried the burden of our sin.
But He was pierced because of our rebellion,
crushed because of our iniquities;
punishment for our peace was on Him,
and we are healed by His wounds.
We all went astray like sheep;
we all have turned to our own way;
and the LORD has punished Him
for the iniquity of us all.
He was the one punished for my sins.
He was the one who received the mortal
wounds that I deserve. He was punished
so that I might have peace and be healed.
Oh Lord, He didn’t deserve it,
and I couldn’t have saved myself.
He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet He did not open His mouth.
Like a lamb led to the slaughter
and like a sheep silent before her shearers,
He did not open His mouth.
He was taken away because of oppression
and judgement; and who considered His fate?
For He was cut off from the land of the living;
He was struck because of my people’s rebellion.
He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
but He was with a rich man at His death,
because He had done no violence
and had not spoken deceitfully.
Yet the LORD was pleased to crush Him severely.
Lord, He had done nothing wrong!
He did not defend Himself. Others threw
accusation upon accusation on Him.
None of it was true, and still, He did nothing.
He did not fight back against the injustice.
He submitted completely to Your will.
When you make Him a guilt offering,
He will see His seed, He will prolong His days,
and by His hand, the LORD’s pleasure will be accomplished.
After His anguish, He will see light and be satisfied.
By His knowledge, my righteous Servant will justify many,
and He will carry their iniquities.
You made Him a guilt offering. A sacrifice
that fulfilled the law once and for all.
Wrongs must be righted.
Justice must be done.
The sin debt must be paid.
Your holiness must be unquestionable.
There is a price for our disobedience.
Therefore I will give Him the many as a portion,
and He will receive the mighty as spoil,
because He willingly submitted to death,
and was counted among the rebels;
yet He bore the sin of many and
interceded for the rebels.
I am Judas who betrayed Him.
I am Peter who denied Him.
I am the disobedient rebel.
Yet, He bore these sins for us.
God, thank you is not even close to sufficient,
so here I am.
I am Yours.
I can offer nothing less,
when You gave Your own life for mine.
Praise the holy name of Jesus forever and ever.
He is the only one who is worthy.
Amen.
