Church of the Nazarene East Rock
All Things New: The New Life
The old was hung on a cross and the new was born.
This Easter series “All Things New” is based on the idea that we not only like new, but we also desperately need “new” and that new that we need is available to us through literal new life in Christ – the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus touches the deep longing within our hearts for things to be different than what we see around us.
The longing for hope. The need for joy and peace.
The longing for a story to belong too. Something to give our lives too
That’s the new we need. That’s the new life we find in Christ.
John 20:11-18
Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ” Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.
Resurrection Sunday is the greatest day in human history, because it is the source of new life for all.
The resurrection of Jesus means we aren’t bound to the old way, we aren’t limited by the past, and we don’t have to settle for what we see all around us.
Death no longer has the victory- sin doesn’t have the power anymore.
-Mary’s past was filled with pain and shame (she had been possessed by demons when she met Jesus), but she is at the forefront of Jesus’ ministry throughout the Gospels.
-Mary’s past didn’t disqualify her from being the first eye-witness of the resurrected Jesus.
-She comes to the tomb broken-hearted. She wasn’t anticipating resurrection.
-She does not recognize Jesus, until He calls her name. Jesus didn’t reveal Himself to Mary by telling her who He was, but by telling her who she was to Him.
Imagine the resurrected Jesus calling your name. What would that feel like?
Reconciliation
Forgiveness
A sense of belonging
Freedom from guilt and shame
Freedom from your past mistakes.
A purpose for your life
A sense of peace and worth knowing that you are deeply loved.
The truth is, your life is a story full of joy and pain, laughter and sadness.
And the idea of new life – the work that Jesus did – is designed to change your story right now.
Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Today, He calls your name.
He sees you right where you are.
He knows your story.
Nothing has to separate you, nothing in your past, and nothing in your present.
As He calls you, He invites you into new life.
Verses for further study/reflection:
Hebrews 2:14-18
Isaiah 43:16-19
John 11:25
John 20
2 Timothy 1:10
John 3:3
John 3:5
Romans 10:9
2 Corinthians 5:17
Lamentations 3:23