From Grief to Hope: Embracing Resurrection Together

Devotional

Day 1: Hope in the Midst of Grief

Even in the depths of sorrow, hope can break through and transform our experience. Grief is a natural and healthy response to loss, and it is something that all people encounter at different times in life. Yet, the story of Easter reminds us that grief is not the end of the story. The women who came to the tomb were steeped in mourning, but their faithfulness led them to witness the first signs of resurrection hope. In the same way, our own grief can coexist with hope, and we are invited to bring both our sorrow and our longing for new life before God. Easter proclaims that death does not have the last word, and that God’s love is more powerful than any darkness we face. [26:24]

John 20:1, 11-16 (ESV)
Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb... But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).

Reflection: In what area of your life are you experiencing grief or loss, and how might you invite God’s hope to meet you there today?

Day 2: The Power of Testimony and Memory

Remembering God’s faithfulness and sharing our stories can rekindle hope in ourselves and others. The women at the tomb not only remembered Jesus’ words but also shared what they had seen and heard, even when others doubted them. Their testimony became the spark that moved Peter to action, and their memory of Jesus’ teachings helped them make sense of the resurrection. In our own lives, recalling God’s promises and sharing our experiences of grace can help us and those around us to find courage and hope, especially in times of uncertainty or disbelief. [30:34]

Luke 24:9-12 (ESV)
And returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear a story of hope or faithfulness from you today, and how can you share it with them?

Day 3: God’s Grace Meets Us Where We Are

God’s grace is present with us in every season—on our best days, our worst days, and all the days in between. Whether we are full of faith or full of fear, God’s love and mercy remain constant. The disciples struggled to believe the good news at first, and some were locked away in fear, but God’s grace was still for them. We are invited to bring our whole selves—our doubts, our questions, our grief, and our hope—before God, trusting that we are always met with compassion and acceptance. [10:27]

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: What part of your life do you find hardest to bring before God, and how might you trust God’s grace to meet you there today?

Day 4: Grief and Joy Can Coexist

Easter teaches us that it is possible to hold both grief and joy at the same time, and that both are welcome in God’s presence. The women at the tomb, the disciples, and all who loved Jesus experienced a mix of emotions—sorrow, confusion, amazement, and eventually joy. Our own lives are often marked by this “messy middle,” where hope and heartache intermingle. God invites us to bring the fullness of our experience, trusting that resurrection is for us, no matter how we arrive—steeped in grief, stunned in disbelief, or running in the direction of hope. [35:43]

Psalm 30:5 (ESV)
For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.

Reflection: Where do you sense both grief and joy in your life right now, and how can you make space for both as you seek God’s presence?

Day 5: Living as People of Resurrection Hope

The resurrection calls us to be people who do justice, love mercy, and bring beauty into the world, embodying the hope we have received. Easter is not just a celebration of what happened long ago, but an invitation to participate in God’s ongoing work of healing, love, and new creation. As we remember the empty tomb and the risen Christ, we are sent out to leave “breadcrumbs of good news” along our path, carrying the love and hope we experience into every corner of our lives and communities. [34:17]

Micah 6:8 (ESV)
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Reflection: What is one concrete way you can bring hope, justice, or beauty to someone or someplace in your community this week?

Sermon Summary

In the early hours of that first Easter morning, Mary Magdalene approached the tomb, shrouded in darkness and grief, only to discover that the stone had been rolled away. Her sorrow was met not with answers, but with questions—“Why are you weeping?”—and ultimately, with the presence of the risen Christ, whom she did not at first recognize. This encounter is a reminder that even in our deepest grief, hope can break through in unexpected ways. The peace that Jesus offered to Mary is the same peace extended to each of us, no matter where we find ourselves on the journey between loss and hope.

We gather as a diverse community, each carrying our own stories of grief, loss, and longing. Yet, Easter proclaims that death does not have the last word. The resurrection is not just an event to be celebrated, but a living reality that invites us to hold both our sorrow and our joy. The women at the tomb, faithful in their mourning, become the first witnesses to hope. Their testimony, at first dismissed as nonsense, becomes the spark that moves Peter to run toward the possibility of new life.

Grief is not something to be hidden or rushed through. It is a natural, even holy, response to loss—a sign of love. But grief is not the end of the story. Through memory, testimony, and the gentle invitation to remember, we are drawn from the shadows of sorrow into the light of hope. The resurrection does not erase our pain, but it transforms it, making space for both lament and hallelujahs to coexist.

In a world weighed down by suffering and injustice, Easter calls us to be people who do justice, love mercy, and create beauty. The story of Jesus’ resurrection is a call to action: to carry the love and hope we receive out into the world, to leave breadcrumbs of good news along our path, and to trust that God meets us in every in-between place. Whether we come running in hope, stand back in doubt, or linger somewhere in the middle, the invitation is the same: come as you are, for resurrection is for you.

Key Takeaways

1. Grief and hope are not opposites, but companions on the journey of faith. The women at the tomb show us that it is possible to show up in our sorrow and still become witnesses to new life. Holding space for both grief and hope allows us to experience the fullness of resurrection, even when joy feels distant. [28:41]
2. The act of remembering—calling to mind the teachings, presence, and love of Christ—can be a powerful antidote to despair. Memory, especially in the context of community and testimony, can rekindle hope when it seems lost. Sometimes, it is the gentle reminder from others that helps us see beyond our pain. [30:34]
3. Grief is not something to be ranked or compared; it is a deeply personal response to loss that deserves our attention and compassion. In a world filled with suffering, allowing ourselves and others to grieve is an act of love. Yet, we are also called to recognize that grief is liminal, not terminal—it is a passage, not a destination. [32:30]
4. The resurrection story challenges us to trust the voices that are often dismissed or marginalized. The women’s testimony was initially rejected, yet it was the truth that changed everything. We are invited to listen deeply to those on the margins, to honor their stories, and to let their hope ignite our own. [29:53]
5. Resurrection is not just a promise for the afterlife, but a call to live differently now. To be people who do justice, love mercy, and create beauty in a broken world is to participate in God’s new creation. The love and hope we receive are meant to be shared, carried from the sanctuary into the world, leaving traces of good news wherever we go. [34:17]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[04:53] - Sharing the Peace of Christ
[07:40] - Radical Welcome and Land Acknowledgment
[09:19] - Confession as Joyful Renewal
[10:27] - Grace for Every Season
[15:45] - The Power of Resurrection in Grief
[25:09] - Personal Reflections on Grief
[26:24] - The Healing Journey of Grief
[27:20] - Easter Joy Amidst Sorrow
[28:41] - The Women at the Tomb: Witnesses of Hope
[29:53] - Peter’s Response and the In-Between
[30:34] - The Role of Memory and Testimony
[32:30] - Grief, the World, and Making Room for Hope
[34:17] - Justice, Mercy, and Beauty in Resurrection
[35:43] - Holding Grief and Joy Together
[44:49] - Affirmation of Faith
[52:24] - Offering and Community Life
[56:13] - Pastoral Care in Crisis
[63:10] - Communion: An Invitation for All
[65:44] - Remembering the Last Supper
[69:57] - Serving Communion
[75:54] - Sending Blessing and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Luke 24:1-12 (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? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.” Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.

Observation Questions

What emotions and actions do you notice in Mary Magdalene and the other women as they approach the tomb and discover it empty? (Luke 24:1-5)
How do the disciples respond when the women share the news of the resurrection? What does Peter do differently? (Luke 24:10-12)
According to the sermon, what role does memory play in the story of the resurrection? [[30:34]]
What does the sermon say about the way grief and hope can exist together, especially in the experience of the women at the tomb? [[28:41]]

Interpretation Questions

The women at the tomb are the first to witness the resurrection, but their testimony is dismissed as “an idle tale.” What might this say about whose voices are trusted or ignored, both in the story and in our own communities? [[29:53]]
The sermon describes grief as “a natural, even holy, response to loss—a sign of love.” How does this perspective challenge or affirm your own understanding of grief? [[26:24]]
The act of remembering Jesus’ words and presence is described as an antidote to despair. Why might memory and testimony be so important in times of grief or uncertainty? [[30:34]]
The resurrection is described as not erasing pain, but transforming it. What does it mean for grief and joy to “coexist” in the life of faith? [[35:43]]

Application Questions

The women showed up at the tomb in their grief and became the first witnesses to hope. When have you shown up for someone (or been shown up for) in a time of sorrow? What did that mean to you? [[28:41]]
The sermon says, “Grief is not something to be ranked or compared; it is a deeply personal response to loss that deserves our attention and compassion.” How can you create space for your own grief or the grief of others this week? [[32:30]]
Think about a time when you received good news that felt “too good to be true.” How did you respond? Did you share it, doubt it, or need to see for yourself like Peter? [[29:53]]
The sermon invites us to “leave breadcrumbs of good news along our path.” What is one small, concrete way you can share hope or kindness in your daily life this week? [[01:15:54]]
The resurrection story challenges us to listen to voices that are often dismissed or marginalized. Is there someone in your life or community whose story you need to listen to more deeply? How might you do that? [[29:53]]
The sermon says, “Resurrection is not just a promise for the afterlife, but a call to live differently now.” What is one area of your life where you feel called to “do justice, love mercy, and create beauty”? [[34:17]]
The invitation is to “come as you are, for resurrection is for you.” What does it look like for you to bring your whole self—grief, hope, doubts, and all—to God and to your community? [[01:04:30]]

Sermon Clips

My dear friends, we have known grief. We've known loss. We've known the long road, tired and winding. We have whispered prayers on bended knees. We have stared at the sky, empty of stars. But today, today we know hope. Today we know life. [00:05:07] (19 seconds) Edit Clip

Today we know that death does not have the last word. Today we know that nothing can separate us from the love of God. It is Easter. May hope find you and may you know deep in your bones that today is a new day. Christ is risen. [00:05:29] (17 seconds) Edit Clip

As an affirming congregation of the United Church of Canada, we are pleased to say that you are welcome as you are to come to worship here. Your age, your stage of life, your race, your culture, your gender identity expression, your sexual orientation, your ability, what you believe or don't believe about God. We're glad that you can come and find a place where you can share in that story with other like -minded folks. [00:07:40] (25 seconds) Edit Clip

But perhaps this prayer can feel like a fresh page. Maybe the prayer of confession can allow us to start again, for when we move closer to God, we are always met with grace, with mercy, and with abundant love. And my friends, that is joyful. That feels like Easter, doesn't it? So join me in the prayer. It's a joyful day. That joy doesn't stop here. Let's pray. [00:09:19] (25 seconds) Edit Clip

God's grace exists for us when we're hopeful, when we're grieving, when we're shouting, and when we're silent, when we're full of faith, and when we're full of fear. God's grace exists for us on the best days, the worst days, and every day in between. [00:11:09] (15 seconds) Edit Clip

yeah and then the only other piece that is in this story is that the people that first told the story that Jesus actually wasn't dead anymore people didn't believe them it took a long time for people to kind of get under get on board with what was going on and it's because after that when Jesus showed up somehow in the midst of people he did eat with them and sit with them and talk with them and it was really confusing but because his power made him alive again yeah because he was alive again so that that story of in between the grieving and the and the the hope of what is to come is so amazing [00:15:45] (44 seconds) Edit Clip

Our scripture story has a focus on women, which is as it should be. They were the first ones there. They've been with Jesus for the long haul. They've absorbed his teachings and witnessed his healings. They've watched his torturous death, remaining safely at a distance until they could follow to his tomb. [00:28:16] (18 seconds) Edit Clip

In the wake of his death, his friends, particularly those women, do what their faith teaches them to do. They prepare the spices and the oil. They plan to anoint the body, and when the dawn breaks, they arrive at the empty tomb, steeped in grief. [00:28:41] (17 seconds) Edit Clip

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