1. INTRO / HOOK — RECOGNITION

He is risen!

And that is why we are here today.

• We are here because the tomb is empty.
• We are here because death did not get the last word.
• We are here because Jesus Christ is alive.

There is a difference between resuscitation and resurrection.

• Resuscitation is when someone is brought back, but only to die again.
• Resurrection is when someone passes through death and comes back in victory over it.
• Jesus was not merely revived. He was raised.
• That is what why we’re celebrating today!

But here is what is so powerful about Luke’s telling of Easter:

• He does not begin with celebration in the way we might expect.
  • He begins before the joy breaks open.
  • He begins in the early morning hours.
  • He begins with grieving women walking toward a tomb.
• And Luke even tells us they were carrying spices to anoint the dead.
• To them: Jesus’ death was final.

You know what—this is still very relevant today. There are moments in life when darkness feels final.

• Not just bad.
• Final.
• A diagnosis.
• A failure.