What Are You Looking For?

What does standing in front of the fridge late at night teach us about our spiritual search?

Pastor David Watson opens with a relatable illustration: standing in front of the refrigerator late at night, staring inside even when we're not hungry. This everyday experience reveals something profound about the human condition - we're all looking for something deeper than physical nourishment. We're searching for meaning in our lives and rest for our souls.

This search drives our busy calendars, career ambitions, and pursuit of relationships. The world offers a formula: get the job, build the family, buy the house, take vacations, and "sprinkle in Jesus" on Sundays. But as Pastor David points out, this formula ultimately fails to deliver lasting satisfaction. Like standing before an open fridge hoping something will magically appear, we keep looking for fulfillment in places it cannot be found.

How did King Solomon's search for meaning end in disappointment?

Pastor David references Solomon's journey in Ecclesiastes as a biblical example of someone who pursued everything the world says will bring fulfillment. Solomon, the richest man who ever lived, "set his heart to discover if there is anything worth living for under the sun."

Solomon tried throwing extravagant parties and barbecues that would "beat any Texas sized barbecue." When that satisfaction faded, he pursued pleasure through relationships (300 wives and 700 concubines). Still unfulfilled, he built an impressive career as a "real estate shark" with vineyards and building projects. Finally, he experienced leisure and retirement with every luxury - the "retirement of all retirements" with midday massages and evening wine.

Despite having everything the world says we should chase, Solomon concluded: "Meaningless, meaningless, all is meaningless." His final wisdom? "Fear the Lord and keep his commandments," because that's the only thing worth chasing after.

Why does Easter reveal that our search isn't for something, but for someone?

The central truth of Easter, Pastor David explains, is that the answer to our search isn't found in something, but in someone - Jesus Christ. Material things and circumstances promise rest but leave us restless. Traditions and self-improvement promise purpose but leave us exhausted and burned out. These "dead gods" and "lifeless idols" may satisfy temporarily, but the satisfaction always fades.

Jesus - who predicted his death and resurrection, then fulfilled it - is the true answer to our search. The One who walked out of the grave is the Someone who can bring meaning to our lives and rest to our souls - not just temporarily, but eternally.

What happened when the women went to Jesus' tomb on that first Easter morning?

Pastor David walks through Luke 24:1-12, examining what happened on the first Easter morning. A group of women (later identified as Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James) came early Sunday with spices to properly prepare Jesus' body for burial. They were looking for closure after witnessing his brutal crucifixion days earlier.

Instead, they found the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. Suddenly, two men in dazzling clothes (angels) appeared and asked the piercing question: "Why are you looking for the living among the dead?" The women were perplexed, and when they reported what they'd seen to the disciples, their story was dismissed as "nonsense." Even Peter, who ran to see the empty tomb himself, was simply left "amazed" at what had happened.

Why should we believe Jesus actually rose from the dead?

The sermon addresses the fundamental question many wrestle with: Did Jesus really walk out of the grave? Pastor David points to two key evidences in this passage that support the resurrection: the empty tomb and eyewitnesses. If only one were true, the resurrection could be easily explained away, but both happening simultaneously makes the case compelling.

Historical evidence beyond scripture also supports Jesus' bodily resurrection. As Pastor David notes, modern apologetics has moved beyond debating whether Jesus was a real person (too much historical evidence confirms he was) to focusing on the resurrection itself. The evidence leads to one conclusion: Jesus is the answer to our search. This isn't just a feel-good story - it's a historical reality with profound implications for our lives.

How does Jesus' resurrection answer our deepest search?

Jesus didn't rise just to prove a point or to be added to our lives as a "backup plan" or "weekend routine." His resurrection offers something much more profound. Through his teachings recorded in scripture, Jesus repeatedly identified himself as "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6), "the bread of life" (John 6:35), and "the resurrection and the life" (John 11:25).

He promised not a life filled with valuable material things, but a life defined by a personal relationship with him. "Come to me all who are burdened and weary, and I will give you rest," Jesus offered in Matthew 11:28. Pastor David notes that while we should take a Sabbath day for physical rest, our true rest is found in a personal relationship with Jesus - the One who "stepped into our search" while we were looking elsewhere.

How are we invited to respond to the resurrection?

Pastor David concludes by inviting three distinct responses based on where people might find themselves in relation to the resurrection story:

For those who are "perplexed" like the women at the tomb: It's time to "drop the spices." Stop trying to add Jesus to your life while holding onto everything else. Instead, surrender every element of life to God and remember Jesus came to give abundant life.

For those who see the resurrection as "nonsense" like the disciples initially did: Seek answers and talk to believers about how Jesus has transformed their lives. Most importantly, bring your doubts directly to Jesus, who isn't afraid of your questions and "draws near to those who draw near to him."

For those "amazed" like Peter: Don't just stay amazed - be sent out to tell others about the resurrection and the hope of new life in Christ. Share the truth that Jesus came to do exactly what he said he would do.

As Pastor David powerfully concludes: "Jesus didn't come to just make good people more good or to make bad people good. He came to bring dead people back to life."