Easter Day: A New Start

Colossians 3:1-4; Matthew 28:1–10

“If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above.” (Colossians 3:1)

“Do not be afraid… He is not here; he has risen.” (Matthew 16:5-6)

He is risen! Hallelujah! Welcome to a joyful day of new beginnings! Christ is risen!

Today, we celebrate a new beginning marked by the resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ! It is important to note that all four Gospels recount the story of Easter morning. Each Gospel describes the discovery of the empty tomb and conveys the impact this revelation had on those present that morning. The Jewish leaders and the Roman authorities did their utmost to undermine God’s plan of salvation by putting Jesus to death, believing that His death would signify the end. However, Jesus' death was, in fact, the fulfillment of the story of salvation!

There are moments in life when it feels as though our story has reached its conclusion: a relationship ends, a dream falls apart, a job is lost, a diagnosis is given, or a failure weighs heavily on us. We all understand what it’s like to find ourselves in a situation that feels final.

That’s exactly where Mary Magdalene and the other Mary found themselves on that early morning. They were not going to the tomb with expectations of hope or in search of a miracle. Instead, they were going to honor a memory, walking toward what they believed to be the end.

But the God who raised Jesus is the God who meets us in the places we call “the end” and whispers, “This is where I begin again.” Matthew 28 is not just the story of Jesus rising from the dead; it is the story of God offering us a new start.

A new start often begins in the dark. Matthew tells us it was "as the first day of the week was dawning." The sun wasn't up yet, and the world was still dim. Grief was still fresh. And that is where God began His greatest work.

The resurrection didn't happen at noon with trumpets; it happened quietly, in the dark, before anyone noticed it. Isn't that how God often works in our lives? Before we feel it, before we notice it, before we even know to hope for it.

The women approached the tomb, expecting death, but God was already at work. Before them lay a new start and the promise of an abundant and empowered life that Christ came to offer us. He didn’t come to force us to become better. Instead, He came with a gift of salvation for us!

Some of us are navigating through dark times right now—times of uncertainty, disappointment, and places where we don’t see a way forward. But hear this: Your darkness is not the end; it may just mark the beginning of something new.  There are times filled with uncertainty, moments of disappointment, and situations where a path forward seems unclear.  But remember this: Your darkness is not the end; it could very well be the dawn of something new.

A new start requires letting go of old expectations. When the angel appears, he says, “Do not be afraid… He is not here; for He has been raised.” In that moment, everything the women thought they knew had to change. Their expectations were too small for what God was doing.

A new beginning often requires us to release:

- The way we thought life would go

- The limits we placed on God

- The labels we assigned to ourselves

- The failures we believed defined us

Sometimes, the hardest part of embracing a new beginning is letting go of the old ending. The resurrection signifies that the old script is no longer the final word. Where we see a tomb, God sees a doorway. Where we see an ending, God sees a beginning.

A new start sends us forward with purpose. The angel doesn’t simply inform them of what has happened; he gives them a mission: “Go quickly and tell His disciples…” The resurrection is not just something to witness; it’s something to share.

A new start from God always brings with it new direction, new courage, new responsibilities, and new joy. The women ran—not walked, nor hesitated—with both fear and great joy. I love that: fear and great joy. That sounds human. That sounds right for this incredible moment. It’s unsettling enough to be frightening, but wonderful enough to lead to hope. 

When Jesus encounters them on the road, He repeats the message: “Do not be afraid. Go and tell…” A new start is not just about what God does within you; it’s about what God wants to do through you. God doesn’t resurrect us so we can remain where we were; He resurrects us so we can move forward with purpose.

A new start is rooted in the presence of Jesus. The pivotal moment in the story is not the empty tomb; it occurs when Jesus meets them. They fall at His feet, worship Him, and cling to Him. A new start is not based on our strength, optimism, or willpower. Instead, it is built on Jesus—alive, present, and guiding us forward. The resurrection is not just an event in history; it is the defining moment of our faith and the foundation of our hope!

You don’t have to have everything figured out. You don’t have to be strong enough. You don’t have to know the whole plan. You just have to cling to the risen Jesus.

Wherever you feel stuck, defeated, or at the end, the risen Christ stands there and says, “Do not be afraid. This is a new beginning.” Because Jesus lives, a new start is possible. A new start is offered. When we embrace this new start, we experience life differently. We find joy in new ways because Easter has come, and we live in that new reality.

Join us at the starting line as a new start begins today! The journey of living begins again with joy and hope.  Happy Easter!