Today is the first day of the rest of your life.
Is this the end?
1 When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him.
2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb.
3 And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?”
Mark 16:1-3
On the road of restored brokenness, keep _walking_.
Don’t . . . . .
* _Stop_ in your struggles.
* _Detour_ in your disappointments.
* _Fail_ in your frustrations.
4 And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back- it was very large.
5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed.
6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here.
7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.”
8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Mark 16:4-8
The Resurrection message on the road of restoration.
God has _already worked_ out what you are _worried about_.
God has already taken steps for your _miracle_ as you take steps _toward_ Him.
God has the final say, so. . . . _This is not the end_.
Don’t be stuck in fear, doubt, and brokenness. Keep walking in faith and trust in Christ!
13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened.
15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.
17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad.
18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
Luke 24:13-18
Even when you are walking away from God, His _grace_ will find you.
If you only look to Jesus for your dreams and wants, you will not recognize Him in your _disappointments_.
17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad.
Luke 24:17
Jesus doesn’t wait for you to change your destiny, but He does wait with you in your detours.
18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days:” 19a And he said to them, “What things?”
Luke 24:18-19a
Jesus is never intimidated by doubts, disappointments and fears but He invites us to share our _brokenness_.
19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people,
20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him.
21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened.
22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning,
23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.
24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did did not see.”
Luke 24:19-24
Don’t be stuck on what _was_!
++Stick with the One who is and will forever be!
Hope is standing in _hopelessness_.
If you trust His promises, you must trust His _path_.
++* 7 miles * 21/2 hours * 16,000+ steps
28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther,
29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.”So he went in to stay with them.
30 When he was at the table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them.
31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight.
32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”
Luke 24:28-32
Invite Jesus into your life. . . . .
++* Everything changes
++* He takes control
Final Word. . . . .
++Jesus’ words may enlighten you but His _wounds_ changes everything!!!