Embodying Resurrection: A Call to Inclusive Love

Devotional

Day 1: Seeking the Living Among the Dead

The women who came to the tomb at dawn were met with a question that echoes through the ages: “Why do you look for the living among the dead?” This question invites us to shift our focus from places of despair and endings to the hope and new life that God brings. Even when we are perplexed or grieving, God’s resurrection power is at work, calling us to look for life, hope, and possibility where we least expect it. The resurrection is not just an event of the past, but a living reality that invites us to seek God’s presence in the midst of our everyday struggles and uncertainties. [15:06]

Luke 24:1-5 (ESV)
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?”

Reflection: Where in your life are you searching for hope in places of despair? How might God be inviting you to look for new life today?

Day 2: We Are the Resurrection

The resurrection is not only about what happened to Jesus, but about how we, as followers of Christ, continue his movement by living out his teachings. When we embody love, courage, and hope, we become the living evidence of resurrection in the world. Even when we feel afraid or uncertain, we are called to step out, speak truth, and share the good news, knowing that the light of Christ shines through us. Our lives, our actions, and our love are the ongoing story of resurrection, bringing hope and transformation to our communities. [36:26]

John 11:25-26 (ESV)
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

Reflection: In what ways can you embody resurrection today—bringing hope, love, or courage to someone who needs it?

Day 3: Rooted in Christ, Growing Through Darkness

Just as trees and flowers must send their roots deep into the soil before they can burst forth in new life, we too must sometimes journey through darkness and difficulty to grow. Jesus teaches that we cannot bypass the hard things in life; it is through facing them, and rooting ourselves in Christ, that we are able to grow upward and shine with his light. The resurrection reminds us that darkness is not the end, but the place where new life begins, and that our struggles can become the soil for our spiritual growth. [40:06]

Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV)
Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

Reflection: What challenge or darkness are you facing right now, and how might you allow your roots to grow deeper in Christ through it?

Day 4: Every Person Is Beloved of God

God’s love is for everyone—no exceptions. No matter who you are, where you come from, or what others may say, you are beloved by God. The resurrection affirms the sacred worth of every person, calling us to stand up for one another, speak truth, and resist the forces that seek to divide or diminish. When we recognize the divine light in ourselves and others, we become agents of peace, justice, and reconciliation in a hurting world. [42:02]

Romans 8:38-39 (ESV)
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Reflection: Who in your life needs to be reminded that they are beloved by God? How can you show them that love today?

Day 5: Hope and New Life Are Always Possible

The resurrection is God’s promise that hope and new life are always possible, no matter how bleak things may seem. Like the trees and flowers that burst forth after a long winter, we are invited to trust in God’s renewing power and to hold on to hope even in difficult times. As we open ourselves to God’s promises, we become fulfillers of hope, bringing light and renewal to our families, communities, and world. [48:40]

Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV)
“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to trust that God can bring new life? What step can you take today to open yourself to that hope?

Sermon Summary

Easter is a day of joy, hope, and the promise of new life. As we gather, both in person and online, we are reminded that God’s love is for everyone—no exceptions. The resurrection is not just a story from long ago, but a living reality that continues through us. We are called to embody the resurrection, to be the living proof of God’s love in the world, especially for those who have been told they are unworthy or unloved. God’s love extends to all, including the LGBTQ+ community, and we are invited to proclaim this love boldly and without reservation.

The idea of original sin has often weighed people down with shame, but it is not a biblical concept. Instead, we recognize that while we are not born sinful, we do fall short—we sin when we fail to love, when we allow fear or indifference to pull us away from God and from one another. Jesus’ death was not a transaction to erase some inherited stain, but a consequence of humanity’s failures: our denials, our silence in the face of injustice, our tendency to hide from what is hard. Yet, the story does not end in defeat or darkness.

After the crucifixion, the disciples were lost, afraid, and ready to give up. But the resurrection changed everything. Jesus returned, bringing hope and courage, and the disciples became the resurrection by carrying forward his teachings. The movement did not die; it grew, because they chose to step out of fear and into the light. We, too, are called to continue this movement. Our lives, rooted in Christ, are like trees that endure the darkness of winter and then burst forth in new life each spring. We cannot bypass the hard things, but by growing our roots deep in Christ, we find the strength to rise, to shine, and to be the resurrection in our world.

This is not always easy. Standing up to injustice, making peace, and loving boldly can feel like an uphill climb. But when we are rooted in Christ, the light within us grows, and we become agents of hope and renewal. Every act of love, every stand for truth, every refusal to hide is a flowering of the cross—a sign that resurrection is still happening. We are the resurrection, and through us, God’s promises of hope and new life continue to unfold.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Love Is For All, Without Exception God’s love is not limited by human boundaries or prejudices. Every person, including those who have been marginalized or condemned by others, is beloved by God. We are called to proclaim and embody this inclusive love, especially for those who have been told they are outside of God’s embrace. [24:39]
2. Original Sin Is Not Our Inheritance—Love Is The doctrine of original sin is not found in scripture but was developed centuries after Jesus. Rather than being born flawed, we are born beloved, though we do sometimes fail to love as we should. Our calling is not to live in shame, but to recognize our capacity for love and to grow in it. [31:30]
3. Sin Is a Failure to Love, Not a Stain to Be Erased Sin is best understood as whatever pulls us away from God and from loving others. It is not an inherent defect, but a failure to bother, to care, to stand up for what is right. Jesus’ death was not a payment for our sinfulness, but a result of humanity’s failures—denial, silence, and fear. [33:03]
4. We Are the Resurrection—The Movement Continues Through Us The resurrection is not just an event in history, but a living reality that continues as we carry forward the teachings and love of Jesus. When we step out of fear and into the light, we become the resurrection, keeping hope and the Jesus movement alive in our world. [36:26]
5. Growth Requires Embracing Darkness and Rooting in Christ Just as trees must endure winter before bursting into bloom, we cannot bypass the hard or dark times in our lives. Growth happens when we root ourselves deeply in Christ, allowing the light within us to rise and shine. In facing challenges with courage and faith, we become agents of new life and hope.

** [40:06]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:10] - Easter Greetings and Community Connection
[05:45] - Opening Hymn: Jesus Does
[08:30] - Opening Prayer and Gospel Reading
[15:06] - Why Do You Look for the Living Among the Dead?
[18:20] - Children’s Moment and Joyful Chaos
[24:39] - God’s Love for All, Including the LGBTQ+ Community
[31:30] - The Myth of Original Sin
[33:03] - What Is Sin? A New Understanding
[34:03] - Jesus’ Death: Humanity’s Failures
[35:14] - The Disciples’ Despair and the Birth of Hope
[36:26] - We Are the Resurrection
[40:06] - Growth Through Darkness: Rooted in Christ
[42:02] - Living the Resurrection: Standing Up and Shining Light
[47:43] - Prayer for Renewal and Hope
[53:47] - Flowering the Cross: Symbol of New Life
[63:37] - Closing Song and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Luke 24:1-5 (NRSV) — > But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?”

Observation Questions

According to Luke 24:1-5, who were the first people to visit the tomb, and what did they find when they arrived?
In the sermon, what was said about the idea of “original sin” and where it comes from? ([31:30])
What did the disciples do after Jesus’ crucifixion, and how did their actions change after the resurrection? ([35:14])
What image did the sermon use to describe how we grow in faith, especially after hard or dark times? ([40:06])

Interpretation Questions

The angels asked, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?” What do you think this question meant for the women at the tomb, and what might it mean for us today?
The sermon says that “original sin” is not a biblical concept, but that we do sin when we fail to love. How does this understanding of sin change the way we see ourselves and others? ([33:03])
The disciples were afraid and hid after Jesus died, but later became bold in sharing his message. What do you think gave them the courage to change? ([35:14])
The sermon compares our spiritual growth to trees that must endure winter before blooming. What does it mean to be “rooted in Christ” during hard times? ([40:06])

Application Questions

The sermon boldly proclaimed that God’s love is for everyone, including those who have been told they are unworthy or unloved, such as the LGBTQ+ community. Have you ever felt excluded from God’s love, or seen others treated that way? How can you help embody and proclaim God’s inclusive love in your daily life? ([24:39])
If sin is a failure to love, can you think of a recent time when fear, indifference, or silence kept you from loving someone well? What could you do differently next time? ([33:03])
The disciples’ fear kept them hidden, but the resurrection gave them hope and courage. Is there an area in your life where fear is holding you back from living out your faith? What would it look like to “step into the light” in that situation? ([35:14])
The sermon says we are called to be the resurrection—to keep the Jesus movement alive by our actions. What is one specific way you can carry forward Jesus’ teachings this week? ([36:26])
When facing hard or dark times, the sermon encourages us to “root ourselves deeply in Christ.” What practices help you stay rooted in Christ when life is difficult? Is there a new practice you’d like to try? ([40:06])
Standing up to injustice and loving boldly can feel like an uphill climb. Is there a situation in your community, workplace, or family where you feel called to stand up for what is right? What support or encouragement do you need to take that step? ([42:02])
The flowering of the cross was used as a symbol of new life. What is one area of your life where you are hoping for renewal or new growth this season? How can your group pray for you in this? ([53:47])

Sermon Clips

We are the resurrection, friends, and it is on us to continue living the ways that Jesus taught. And we will fall short at times. It will feel like we are climbing uphill both ways in the snow. It will be hard to fight the powers that be. It will be hard to make peace happen. But when we work at it, when we are rooted in Christ, when we grow that Christ light in us, we have that peace of Jesus in us, that Prince of Peace. [00:41:48] (39 seconds) Edit Clip

jesus teaches that we cannot bypass the crucifixion we cannot bypass the hard things in our lives we cannot skip the darkness we have to experience the dark in order to grow in order to learn so that we can grow both our roots down into the soil into christ and then grow upward as well the resurrection matters because that is what sparks the jesus movement without the resurrection the disciples would have remained in the darkness hidden and thus the teachings of jesus would have also remained in the darkness [00:40:14] (47 seconds) Edit Clip

Because every one of you, every person outside of these walls even, everyone watching online is a beloved of God. And we must stand what Jesus continues to teach us, to speak the truth, to stand up to powers, to not run and hide. Because we are...We are the resurrection. We'll try it again. Because we are the resurrection. There we go. We are the resurrection. Yes. [00:42:35] (41 seconds) Edit Clip

They didn't know that they, and now we, are the resurrection. The followers of Jesus were on the path to succumb to sin by allowing the powerful government to silence them and the message of Jesus. But what happens instead? Jesus is resurrected! Jesus comes back to the disciples, and he gives them hope. He gives them courage. And then they begin to preach the Jesus way. They become the resurrection. [00:35:34] (40 seconds) Edit Clip

By us continuing to teach and speak of Jesus. By us continuing to follow Jesus. And continuing to grow in the Jesus way. All of this keeps the resurrection happening. We are the resurrection. So this year, in our church, our imagery, as you can see on the walls here, has been a tree. And we come from it because Jesus comes from the stump of Jesse. [00:36:39] (34 seconds) Edit Clip

So while we are not born with original sin, we do sin. And what do I mean by sin, you ask? Because that word for me is a tough word, as some of you know. It's kind of triggering. And for some of us who come from a different background, it can be like a, where's she going to go with that? Well, I like what Father James Keenan says in his definition. He writes that sin is a failure to bother, to love. [00:33:03] (31 seconds) Edit Clip

Now, as many of you have heard me preach before, I believe sin is whatever pulls us away from God. So Jesus died on the cross, we know. But Jesus died on the cross not to wipe away our sins, not for our sins, not for our sins. Jesus died on the cross because of our humanity's sins. [00:33:34] (30 seconds) Edit Clip

Jesus died on the cross because of our sins, because of the corporal punishment and judgment, the crucifixions, the executions. And Jesus died because of our human sins, because we run away and hide. The disciples did just that. They went and they locked themselves in a home after Jesus was crucified because they were scared. Jesus died because of humanity's sins. [00:34:30] (34 seconds) Edit Clip

The disciples going out and continually to spread the good news of Jesus, the teachings of Jesus, is why the resurrection matters. Even though it doesn't matter how the tomb, the stone, was rolled away, because the jelly beans taste good and the gummy thingies taste good. But this resurrection matters, and it continues with us today. [00:36:14] (25 seconds) Edit Clip

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