An Easter sermon based on Luke 24:1-12, Rev. Dr. Jon Diefenthaler, Sr Pastor Emeritus, Our Savior Lutheran Church
“He is risen! He is risen indeed? Hallelujah!” is the greeting that we exchange with one another today.
Ever wondered how this tradition began? It is attributed to the earliest Christians because Jesus’ resurrection was at the core of their faith. “He is risen” appears in the news the women at the empty tomb received from two divine messengers: “He is not here; he has risen.” (Luke 24:6) “He is risen indeed” is what was confirmed for the two Emmaus disciples when they returned to Jerusalem after meeting Jesus on their homeward journey. (Luke 24:34)
Hence, when we with enthusiasm respond, “He is risen indeed,” we are also confirming for ourselves and each other that Jesus’ Easter resurrection from the dead is not an unsubstantiated rumor or a made-up story. On the contrary it is a fact. It is an event that actually happened.
We are also confessing the life-changing difference Easter continues to make for us and for our world. We are asserting that as it was for Jesus, so it is for us. Beyond any and every form of death, there is the always the hope of new life.
It’s the reason every Easter Sunday provides worship services filled with joyous “Hallelujahs.”
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