SERMON
Please note that there are separate sermon notes for the 9 AM service.
The Hope of Easter
Luke 23:49,55-56; 24:1-12
pASTOR sUNIL
EASTER SUNDAY, 7:30AM, 10:10am & 11:11am
April 5, 2026
“Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen…” (24:5-6)
One of the key elements of Luke’s Easter story is the women at the empty tomb (24:1-12): Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary (mother of James), and other women find the stone rolled away, the tomb empty, and two men in dazzling robes who declare Jesus is risen, reminding them of his earlier words about rising on the third day.
Why is Easter so important to the Christ-follower? Why is it important to you? What did it mean for those first witnesses at the empty tomb?
Intro
Have you ever read news accounts of a particular momentous event (especially a tragic one) from three different but reliable news outlets? Ever notice that, depending on their particular philosophical (read “cultural/political”) perspectives, they rarely agree on some details? Almost always, though, they actually agree that the event actually did take place. The 4 gospels are among the earliest documents that agree that a person called “Jesus” was put to death on a Roman Cross, and a few days later left an empty tomb behind him because he had risen from the dead! Furthermore, all 4 gospels are consistent about the culturally uncharacteristic affirming of the first witnesses to that empty tomb being women. (The fact that their stories differ about the details of the women and what/who they saw inside the tomb actually proves their independent reporting).
Let’s get to the story…
Jesus had suffered on the Cross for 6 hours, from 9AM – 3PM. Then, after shouting, “It is finished,” he committed to God that part of himself that would always be God’s and died. Luke records that “…all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things” (Luke 23:49)
Luke goes on to say that before the actual Sabbath had started, Jesus’ body was taken down and laid in a never-before-used tomb by Joseph, a follower of Jesus, and a non-conforming member of the Jewish Council. The women would normally prepare the body with burial spices, but obviously, they had not prepared for it, and the body had to be hurriedly put in the tomb before the Sabbath began. So these God-fearing, Sabbath-keeping women observed the laying of the dead body of Jesus in the tomb. Then they went home, prepared the burial spices, and waited for Sunday (because of their obedience of keeping the Sabbath) to go do the actual burial preparation (23:55-56).
Notice three things about these women, according to Luke
Their devotion (v.1). They were at the site of Jesus’ death (when most of the disciples had fled (Mark 14:50). They observed his body placed in the tomb. They kept their Sabbath observance. Then very early,” they went to the tomb.
Their receptivity (v.8). They came to the tomb, and I’m sure they were surprised when they saw the stone had been moved, and the entrance was deserted. They went in and saw two men in radiant clothing, whom we may assume were angels. The women were reminded of Jesus’ words, “The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified, and on the third day be raised again.” Then they remembered his words. (24:6-8). Obviously, they were devoted disciples themselves, receptive to his teaching, and were able to remember what they had heard from Jesus. It now made sense to them…
Their persistence (v.9). The women are identified as “Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them.” Two of them are introduced at close to the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, 8:3. They persisted as Jesus’ disciples when others left. And now, with this news that the angels told them, they “kept on telling” the other disciples what they saw and heard.
Sometimes I think that in many ways we are like those women.
We are devoted, even when our devotion does not answer our need, nor does it take away our hopelessness.
We are receptive. We study His Word. We even make connections with what is in God’s Word, and our own lives. Yet we feel we are missing something. We want proof that his rising makes any difference to my life, in the here and now.
We are persistent. We talk about someone we have not actually met. We do it faithfully and repeatedly. But our listeners (and often ourselves) don’t believe the Easter story.
But herein lies the Easter-hope. It needs to germinate.
Look at the disciples. They all finally saw and met the Living Jesus. But for 50 days after Easter, their lives were not significantly different from before. But they remained devoted, receptive, and persistent.
They slowly, but surely began to understand this raising of Jesus was way different from Lazarus’, Jairus’ daughter, the widow of Nain’s son.
It was all in the angels’ question:
“Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen…”
This resurrected Jesus of Easter can never again die, because God has finally manifested who / what "the Living" really is!!
This is the Life that Jesus talked about when he spoke of “Kingdom Life,” “eternal life.”
Easter inaugurated a New Life – Life as God intended. It was a material Life just like his after Easter that Paul talks about so eloquently in 1 Corinthians 15.
1 John 3:2 promises, “we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.”
Easter is truly exciting. The tomb is empty. The witnesses of the angels, and later the disciples, testify that the body didn’t disappear,
but Jesus was raised – our hope is that we too will be raised, just like him, one of the “Living”
but Jesus was raised – our reassurance is that we don’t worship a “dead” sacrifice, but a Living Savior and Lord over life and death
but Jesus was raised – and our devotion, receptivity, and persistence will bear fruit through His very Life manifested in ours through the Holy Spirit that he gives us.
Even the disciples needed 50 days after Easter to experience that at Pentecost!
Why do I look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen…he is, in fact, living in me!
Why is Easter so important to the Christ-follower? Why is it important to you? What did it mean for those first witnesses at the empty tomb?
Intro
Have you ever read news accounts of a particular momentous event (especially a tragic one) from three different but reliable news outlets? Ever notice that, depending on their particular philosophical (read “cultural/political”) perspectives, they rarely agree on some details? Almost always, though, they actually agree that the event actually did take place. The 4 gospels are among the earliest documents that agree that a person called “Jesus” was put to death on a Roman Cross, and a few days later left an empty tomb behind him because he had risen from the dead! Furthermore, all 4 gospels are consistent about the culturally uncharacteristic affirming of the first witnesses to that empty tomb being women. (The fact that their stories differ about the details of the women and what/who they saw inside the tomb actually proves their independent reporting).
Let’s get to the story…
Jesus had suffered on the Cross for 6 hours, from 9AM – 3PM. Then, after shouting, “It is finished,” he committed to God that part of himself that would always be God’s and died. Luke records that “…all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things” (Luke 23:49)
Luke goes on to say that before the actual Sabbath had started, Jesus’ body was taken down and laid in a never-before-used tomb by Joseph, a follower of Jesus, and a non-conforming member of the Jewish Council. The women would normally prepare the body with burial spices, but obviously, they had not prepared for it, and the body had to be hurriedly put in the tomb before the Sabbath began. So these God-fearing, Sabbath-keeping women observed the laying of the dead body of Jesus in the tomb. Then they went home, prepared the burial spices, and waited for Sunday (because of their obedience of keeping the Sabbath) to go do the actual burial preparation (23:55-56).
Notice three things about these women, according to Luke
Their devotion (v.1). They were at the site of Jesus’ death (when most of the disciples had fled (Mark 14:50). They observed his body placed in the tomb. They kept their Sabbath observance. Then very early,” they went to the tomb.
Their receptivity (v.8). They came to the tomb, and I’m sure they were surprised when they saw the stone had been moved, and the entrance was deserted. They went in and saw two men in radiant clothing, whom we may assume were angels. The women were reminded of Jesus’ words, “The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified, and on the third day be raised again.” Then they remembered his words. (24:6-8). Obviously, they were devoted disciples themselves, receptive to his teaching, and were able to remember what they had heard from Jesus. It now made sense to them…
Their persistence (v.9). The women are identified as “Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them.” Two of them are introduced at close to the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, 8:3. They persisted as Jesus’ disciples when others left. And now, with this news that the angels told them, they “kept on telling” the other disciples what they saw and heard.
Sometimes I think that in many ways we are like those women.
We are devoted, even when our devotion does not answer our need, nor does it take away our hopelessness.
We are receptive. We study His Word. We even make connections with what is in God’s Word, and our own lives. Yet we feel we are missing something. We want proof that his rising makes any difference to my life, in the here and now.
We are persistent. We talk about someone we have not actually met. We do it faithfully and repeatedly. But our listeners (and often ourselves) don’t believe the Easter story.
But herein lies the Easter-hope. It needs to germinate.
Look at the disciples. They all finally saw and met the Living Jesus. But for 50 days after Easter, their lives were not significantly different from before. But they remained devoted, receptive, and persistent.
They slowly, but surely began to understand this raising of Jesus was way different from Lazarus’, Jairus’ daughter, the widow of Nain’s son.
It was all in the angels’ question:
“Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen…”
This resurrected Jesus of Easter can never again die, because God has finally manifested who / what "the Living" really is!!
This is the Life that Jesus talked about when he spoke of “Kingdom Life,” “eternal life.”
Easter inaugurated a New Life – Life as God intended. It was a material Life just like his after Easter that Paul talks about so eloquently in 1 Corinthians 15.
1 John 3:2 promises, “we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.”
Easter is truly exciting. The tomb is empty. The witnesses of the angels, and later the disciples, testify that the body didn’t disappear,
but Jesus was raised – our hope is that we too will be raised, just like him, one of the “Living”
but Jesus was raised – our reassurance is that we don’t worship a “dead” sacrifice, but a Living Savior and Lord over life and death
but Jesus was raised – and our devotion, receptivity, and persistence will bear fruit through His very Life manifested in ours through the Holy Spirit that he gives us.
Even the disciples needed 50 days after Easter to experience that at Pentecost!
Why do I look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen…he is, in fact, living in me!
Looking in the Wrong Place – April 5, 2026
9AM
Pastor Paul Georgulis
Have you ever gone back to something expecting it to feel the way it used to—only to realize it doesn’t anymore?
Maybe it’s a place. Maybe it’s a season of life. Something you keep trying to return to, something you hope will feel the way it once did. But no matter how many times you try, you can’t recreate it.
You came expecting one thing—and now you’re standing there realizing: This isn’t what I thought it was going to be. I’m in the wrong place.
That’s where the Easter story begins.
In Luke’s Gospel, we are told that: “On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb.” – Luke 24:1
They were faithful. They were honoring Jesus in the only way they knew how—by bringing burial spices to put on His dead body. But they were also wrong about what God was doing. They thought the story was over—but God was just beginning something new.
And that’s the uncomfortable truth: we tend to assume that if we’re doing the right things—if we care, if we’re trying, if we’re showing up—then we must understand what God is doing. But this moment reminds us that you can be faithful and still be mistaken. You can show up and still be looking in the wrong place.
In verse 2, we see that when these women arrived at the tomb, something immediately disrupted everything they expected.
“2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb…” – Luke 24:2
As they journeyed to the tomb, they likely worried about how they were going to move the large stone from the entrance. But when they arrived, they discovered that their worries were for nothing because the stone had already been moved—the barrier that would prevent them from preparing Jesus’ body had already been taken care of.
When we look at verse 3, we see that the rolled away stone would no longer be the biggest surprise these women encountered.
“3 …but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.” – Luke 24:3
While they were still on their way, the miracle had already happened. Before they arrived, before they brought the spices, before they understood anything strange was going on—God had already acted.
You see, the resurrection didn’t wait for people to show up. Jesus didn’t rise because someone believed. He rose because the power of God was already in motion—and could not be stopped. Which means this:
God was already at work, even while they were grieving and confused, even while they were walking toward the wrong place. What do I mean by “the wrong place”?
Verse 4 answers that for us:
“4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright, the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?” – Luke 24:4-5
“Why do you look for the living among the dead?” That question wasn’t just for them—it’s for us. Because we do the same thing. We go looking for life in places that cannot give it, and we don’t always realize we’re doing it.
Scripture actually names this. In Jeremiah, God says, “My people have done two evil things: They have abandoned me—the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all!” – Jeremiah 2:13
In other words—we keep going back to things that cannot give us life… and wondering why we’re still empty. Sometimes it’s obvious—chasing success, achievement, or approval. Sometimes it’s more subtle. And sometimes it even shows up in our faith.
We go through the motions. We show up. We say the right things. But underneath it all, we’re living as if Jesus is still in the tomb—as if He’s distant, as if He’s not active, as if nothing has really changed.
And maybe, in your own way, you’ve been there too. That quiet sense that something isn’t right. And instead of questioning where we’re looking for life, we start questioning ourselves: “What’s wrong with me?” or “Why isn’t this working?” But Easter asks a different question: “Where are you looking?”
Because maybe the issue isn’t our effort. Maybe the issue is the place. The empty tomb isn’t a problem—it’s a message. It tells us something has changed. Death couldn’t hold Him. The tomb couldn’t contain Him. And that means life is no longer found there.
And then the angels said:
“6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified, and on the third day be raised again.’” – Luke 24:6-7
The word “remember” here is so important because it shows that this wasn’t random. Jesus had already told them this would happen. But in their grief, in their confusion, in their expectations—they forgot.
They didn’t need new information—they needed to remember what was already true. And we’re not so different. We need reminders too—especially in the moments when it doesn’t feel true. But this moment reminds us of something we can hold on to: Jesus is a man of His word. When He says He will do something, He does it. Which means if Jesus has spoken, you can trust Him.
Even if you don’t see it yet. Even if you don’t understand it yet. Even if you need to be reminded again, and again, and again.
Verse 8: “Then they remembered His words.” – Luke 24:8
But even then, it didn’t all make sense to them. And that matters for us because sometimes we think: “If I don’t understand everything, something must be wrong with my faith.” But that first Easter morning was full of people who didn’t fully understand. And still—Jesus was alive. Still—the world had changed. Still—hope had already broken through.
The stone wasn’t moved so Jesus could get out—it was moved so they could see in. The empty tomb wasn’t about escape—it was an invitation. And it’s still an invitation today.
Where are you looking for life?
What “tomb” do you keep going back to?
The tomb is empty—but some of us are still standing in it. And today is an invitation to step out. To stop looking for life where it can’t be found. Because Jesus is not there—He is risen.
Maybe it’s a place. Maybe it’s a season of life. Something you keep trying to return to, something you hope will feel the way it once did. But no matter how many times you try, you can’t recreate it.
You came expecting one thing—and now you’re standing there realizing: This isn’t what I thought it was going to be. I’m in the wrong place.
That’s where the Easter story begins.
In Luke’s Gospel, we are told that: “On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb.” – Luke 24:1
They were faithful. They were honoring Jesus in the only way they knew how—by bringing burial spices to put on His dead body. But they were also wrong about what God was doing. They thought the story was over—but God was just beginning something new.
And that’s the uncomfortable truth: we tend to assume that if we’re doing the right things—if we care, if we’re trying, if we’re showing up—then we must understand what God is doing. But this moment reminds us that you can be faithful and still be mistaken. You can show up and still be looking in the wrong place.
In verse 2, we see that when these women arrived at the tomb, something immediately disrupted everything they expected.
“2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb…” – Luke 24:2
As they journeyed to the tomb, they likely worried about how they were going to move the large stone from the entrance. But when they arrived, they discovered that their worries were for nothing because the stone had already been moved—the barrier that would prevent them from preparing Jesus’ body had already been taken care of.
When we look at verse 3, we see that the rolled away stone would no longer be the biggest surprise these women encountered.
“3 …but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.” – Luke 24:3
While they were still on their way, the miracle had already happened. Before they arrived, before they brought the spices, before they understood anything strange was going on—God had already acted.
You see, the resurrection didn’t wait for people to show up. Jesus didn’t rise because someone believed. He rose because the power of God was already in motion—and could not be stopped. Which means this:
God was already at work, even while they were grieving and confused, even while they were walking toward the wrong place. What do I mean by “the wrong place”?
Verse 4 answers that for us:
“4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright, the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?” – Luke 24:4-5
“Why do you look for the living among the dead?” That question wasn’t just for them—it’s for us. Because we do the same thing. We go looking for life in places that cannot give it, and we don’t always realize we’re doing it.
Scripture actually names this. In Jeremiah, God says, “My people have done two evil things: They have abandoned me—the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all!” – Jeremiah 2:13
In other words—we keep going back to things that cannot give us life… and wondering why we’re still empty. Sometimes it’s obvious—chasing success, achievement, or approval. Sometimes it’s more subtle. And sometimes it even shows up in our faith.
We go through the motions. We show up. We say the right things. But underneath it all, we’re living as if Jesus is still in the tomb—as if He’s distant, as if He’s not active, as if nothing has really changed.
And maybe, in your own way, you’ve been there too. That quiet sense that something isn’t right. And instead of questioning where we’re looking for life, we start questioning ourselves: “What’s wrong with me?” or “Why isn’t this working?” But Easter asks a different question: “Where are you looking?”
Because maybe the issue isn’t our effort. Maybe the issue is the place. The empty tomb isn’t a problem—it’s a message. It tells us something has changed. Death couldn’t hold Him. The tomb couldn’t contain Him. And that means life is no longer found there.
And then the angels said:
“6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified, and on the third day be raised again.’” – Luke 24:6-7
The word “remember” here is so important because it shows that this wasn’t random. Jesus had already told them this would happen. But in their grief, in their confusion, in their expectations—they forgot.
They didn’t need new information—they needed to remember what was already true. And we’re not so different. We need reminders too—especially in the moments when it doesn’t feel true. But this moment reminds us of something we can hold on to: Jesus is a man of His word. When He says He will do something, He does it. Which means if Jesus has spoken, you can trust Him.
Even if you don’t see it yet. Even if you don’t understand it yet. Even if you need to be reminded again, and again, and again.
Verse 8: “Then they remembered His words.” – Luke 24:8
But even then, it didn’t all make sense to them. And that matters for us because sometimes we think: “If I don’t understand everything, something must be wrong with my faith.” But that first Easter morning was full of people who didn’t fully understand. And still—Jesus was alive. Still—the world had changed. Still—hope had already broken through.
The stone wasn’t moved so Jesus could get out—it was moved so they could see in. The empty tomb wasn’t about escape—it was an invitation. And it’s still an invitation today.
Where are you looking for life?
What “tomb” do you keep going back to?
The tomb is empty—but some of us are still standing in it. And today is an invitation to step out. To stop looking for life where it can’t be found. Because Jesus is not there—He is risen.