Easter Sunrise Service April 1, 2018
April 01, 2018
JESUS DEFEATED…THE ENEMY!
Easter Sunrise, 2018
“Jesus defeated…the enemy!”
Grace, Mercy, and Peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Lord is risen! (He is risen indeed Alleluia!) Today we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord. We celebrate Easter. Only two days ago was Good Friday; the day that our Lord hung on the hated tree. The day that Christ died. It’s easy for us to imagine his death. We see death all around us. We see the deaths of soldiers around the world. We see deaths from natural disasters on television. We hear of murders around our country. We have loved ones that die when we least expect it. Death seems to be everywhere we turn.
Death brings sadness…and questions…and sorrow and pain. On this day part of me is still a little heart-broken. Like many of you…this is my first Easter since my dad passed away. And I feel much like the women and disciples who were still mourning that first Easter. We mourn over the finality of it all. There is the cemetery. There is our loved one in the grave. Nothing we can do can change that. Nothing we can do can bring our loved one back.
Easter seems to become more real, more tangible, more hopeful after we have encountered a death…and many of us have since last Easter. Death brings everything into perspective for the Christian. It is when we face death that we see the outcome of sin and our salvation. For this death is not eternal. All of these loved ones will rise from the dead just as Christ rose from the dead by the Father.
Even as Christians we still taste the bitterness of death. Christ has defeated death most assuredly! Christ has even taken the sting of death away. But we still feel the pain and heartache of losing our loved ones. We still fear that our lives will not have the same meaning, the same happiness, the same love without our departed family and friends. We still fear death! We still fear the sting of death!
“While the Battle of Waterloo was being fought, all England waited breathlessly for news. At last the message came slowly across the channel. ‘Wellington defeated’ had just been spelled out when a sudden blanket of fog obscured the signals. News of the disaster quickly spread, and the deepest gloom settled on the land. Then the message was completed: ‘Wellington defeated the enemy!’ Sorrow was turned into great rejoicing. In the gloom of Good Friday the disciples could only read: ‘Jesus defeated!’ But in the new light of Easter Day the glorious truth broke in on their sorrow: ‘Jesus defeated the enemy!’”
The Lord is Risen! (He is risen indeed Alleluia) The Lord has indeed risen from the dead. He is with us till the end of the age. He is constantly working to bring all of us to Him. In worship he lifts us up to heaven so that we are with Him and all of our loved ones that have died before us. Maybe we can’t see all of this happening but if we look by faith we can surely see our Risen Christ with our family in heaven. Seeing by faith is truly believing.
LSB Hymn 139 “Jesus lives! The Vict’ry’s won! Death no longer can appall me; Jesus lives! Death’s reign is done! From the grave will Christ recall me. Brighter scenes will then commence; This shall be my confidence. Jesus lives! To Him the throne High above all things is given. I shall go where He is gone, Live and reign with Him in heaven. God is faithful; doubtings, hence! This shall be my confidence. Jesus lives! For me He died, Hence will I, to Jesus living, Pure in heart and act abide, Praise to Him and glory giving. All I need God will dispense; This shall be my confidence. Jesus lives! I know full well Nothing me from Him shall sever. Neither death nor pow’rs of hell Part me now from Christ forever. God will be my sure defense; This shall be my confidence. Jesus lives! And now is death but the gate of life immortal; This shall calm my trembling breath When I pass its gloomy portal. Faith shall cry, as fails each sense; Jesus is my confidence!”
Easter is about death but more than that its about Life! It is about death being defeated by our risen Savior! And it is by faith in our Risen Savior that we may face death as we face life—with our eyes fixed firmly on Jesus. Cling to the promises of His Word, which, when facing death, seem even more wonderful and powerful.
No matter how life may end, there is one thing of which we can be absolutely certain. We shall pass from death to life, from this life to the life beyond, with our Lord. And there we shall rejoin all of our loved ones and others who have gone before us trusting in Christ their Savior. This is certain because the Lord is Risen! He is risen indeed Alleluia!
I encourage you to take a look around you this morning. How wonderful it is to be surrounded by such a great crowd of witnesses of God’s love. Even more than that to be surrounded by all the saints in heaven with angels and arch angels. What a joy it is every Easter to be here with all of your loved ones. And this fellowship; the fellowship of Christ’s church and the blessings of God’s holy Word and Sacrament is God’s gift for you. He gives us His Church for us to gather together as we mourn, as we seek comfort, as we receive forgiveness, and as we rejoice together. And Jesus gives us more as He abides within His church through His Supper. In this place Jesus bestows the riches of His forgiveness, life and salvation now, and to all eternity. One day we too shall stand with that great multitude of heaven who hear these blessed words:
“Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain…”(Rev. 21:3–4)
Dear Christian Rejoice. Salvation has been won. Eternal life is yours. And you and I may boldly proclaim here and now…in our daily lives…even in the midst of the cemetery that the Lord is risen. He has risen indeed. Alleluia. Jesus lives. The victory is won. Amen.
Now may the peace of God which passes all human understanding keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.
