Sermon for Easter Sunday: "Just As He Told You"

 + The Resurrection of Our Lord – April 4, 2021 +

Series B: Isaiah 25:6-9; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Mark 16:1-8

Beautiful Savior Lutheran

Milton, WA

 

 

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

We live in a world full of predictions. Meteorologists try to predict tomorrow’s weather. Sports fans try to predict the perfect NCAA tournament bracket. Economists try to predict the ups and downs of financial markets. And so on. You may run out of toilet paper, but there’s no shortage on predictions.

 

The problem with predictions, as you’ve probably noticed, is that events rarely go as predicted. The expected snowpocalypse barely covers the grass. Your NCAA bracket is busted in the opening round of play. One day the markets rage like a bull, the next they’re hibernating like a bear. Occasionally, of course, predictions come true just as a blind squirrel occasionally finds a nut, as the saying goes. 

 

Generally speaking, though, most predictions fall flat.

 

Today, however, we celebrate one very important exception to that rule. Jesus’ own death and resurrection.

 

Throughout the Gospel of Mark – three times on three separate occasions – Jesus predicts the seemingly impossible – to rise from the dead – and then he does it. 

The Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles.  And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise.”

 

But of course, this was not what was on the minds of Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome as they walked to Jesus’ tomb, early in the morning on that first Easter. To their knowledge, Jesus’ body was still in the tomb. Their teacher and messiah was still dead. So they came prepared. They brought the burial spices to anoint Jesus’ body. And they wondered, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?”

 

But as it turns out, things did not go as they predicted. Looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed.

 

Who wouldn’t be. Their minds racing with questions. Overwhelmed with uncertainty. Swirling with alarm and fear. It’s all rather unpredictable. And yet, it happened.

 

 “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the Crucified One. He is risen! He is not
here. See the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him….just as He told you.”

 

Although the women were afraid, the young man reminded them they had no reason to fear. And neither do you. Do not fear your sin. Do not fear your guilt or shame. Do not fear your doubt, despair, disease, or death. Do not fear the grave. Do not fear even the devil himself. For Jesus has conquered, overcome, and rose victoriously for you.

 

Jesus predicts the seemingly impossible – his death and resurrection – and it happens just as he said. This is simply the way it is with Jesus. What Jesus says happens.

 

Jesus predicts that the two disciples he sends into the village ahead of him will find a donkey for the Palm Sunday procession, and that someone will object to them taking it…and it happens.

Jesus predicts that the two disciples he sends to prepare the Passover will meet a man carrying a water jar, and that they will follow this man to an upper room for the Passover…and it happens. 

Jesus predicts that he will be betrayed by one of his own disciples… and it happens.

Jesus predicts that the disciples will deny him, fall away, and be scattered like sheep, and that even Peter would deny him three times before the rooster crows… and it happens.

Jesus predicts that the Scribes and Pharisees will condemn him to death… and it happens.

Jesus predicts that he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and they will mock him, spit upon him, and scourge him… and it happens.

Jesus predicts three times in Mark’s Gospel that he will be crucified… and it happens.

And today, the joyous exclamation point. Jesus predicts that he’ll rise again from the dead on the 3^rd day…and, indeed it happened. Christ is risen! Easter is the greatest prediction in all of history. Because it truly happened. 

 

Jesus’ prediction is also His promise to you. Remember the young man’s words to the women at the tomb. “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the Crucified One. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him….just as He told you.”

 

Our predictions may not always come to pass. But Jesus’ word. Jesus’ prediction. Jesus’ promise. Always comes true. When life – as it often does – teeter totters in unpredictability, you live in the joy of this sure and certain promise of Jesus’ cross and his empty tomb. No amount of unpredictable things can ever take Jesus’ death and resurrection away from you. And no matter how unpredictable tomorrow is, this much is certain. Christ is risen. For you. And one day, Christ will return to raise you from your graves as well – as he predicted. As he promised. Just as he told you. 

 

For Jesus is the crucified one for you…just as he told you. 

 

Christ is risen for you and Death is swallowed up in victory…just as he told you.

 

Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the Crucified One. He is risen! Just as he told you!

Alleluia! Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia. Just as he told you!

 

A blessed Easter to each of you…

 

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.