Easter Sunday: Darren Rowse
Easter Sunday at One Church Blackburn was full of celebration—songs, stories, and baptisms that painted a beautiful picture of resurrection. Below you’ll find Darren’s Easter Sunday message as an audio and video recording as well as a summary of the message with questions for reflection and small groups.
In his message, Darren Rowse took us into two stories from the Gospels—Mary Magdalene and Thomas—and invited us to imagine what it would’ve felt like to meet the risen Jesus face to face. He shared their stories in a fresh, first-person style that brought the emotion and transformation of those encounters to life.
Mary Magdalene: From Grief to Joy
Mary’s story began with deep pain. She had been healed by Jesus—set free from torment—and followed Him faithfully. But now, standing outside His empty tomb, she was broken. The one who gave her life meaning was gone. All she could do was weep.
And then she heard her name:
“Mary.”
It wasn’t a speech. It wasn’t a miracle. Just her name, spoken with love. And it changed everything.
In that moment, she knew it was Him. Jesus. Alive. Real. Still carrying His wounds, but somehow different—risen. And He gave her a new mission: “Go and tell.”
So Mary ran—this time, not in panic, but with hope pounding in her chest. She ran with resurrection in her lungs.
Thomas: From Doubt to Worship
Then there was Thomas. The one we often call “Doubting Thomas.” But Darren helped us see him more clearly. Thomas wasn’t just stubborn—he was heartbroken. He had built his life around Jesus, and when Jesus died, something inside Thomas died too.
So when the others told him Jesus was alive, he couldn’t believe it. Not without seeing it for himself. Not because he was cynical, but because he couldn’t handle more disappointment.
A week later, Jesus showed up.
He didn’t shame Thomas. He didn’t lecture him. He just stood there and said, “Peace.” And then He invited Thomas to see His wounds—still there, still real—but now full of meaning, not defeat.
Thomas didn’t just believe. He worshipped:
“My Lord and my God.”
Jesus Meets People Personally
What struck Darren most was how Jesus met each of His followers differently:
He met Mary in her grief—by simply saying her name.
He met Thomas in his doubt—with understanding and presence.
He met Peter, who had denied Him—with a quiet meal and forgiveness.
Every encounter was personal. Every encounter was full of love. And every person walked away changed.
Resurrection Isn’t Just for Jesus
Here’s the big idea:
Jesus wasn’t the only one resurrected that week.
Mary was raised—from grief to joy.
Thomas was raised—from doubt to belief.
Peter was raised—from shame to purpose.
Resurrection is what happens when Jesus meets someone.
It’s not just something we remember once a year. It’s something Jesus keeps doing.
Darren reminded us that even now—right here in our church, in our city, in our lives—Jesus still meets people. In grief. In addiction. In loneliness. In failure. In questions. In fear. In numbness. In shame.
And He brings life.
So What About You?
Jesus didn’t rise to be admired.
He didn’t rise to start a religion.
He rose to meet people.
And this Easter, He wants to meet you.
Not just if you’ve been a “good Christian.” Not just if you feel spiritual or strong. He wants to meet you if you’re tired, uncertain, anxious, or hanging by a thread.
He wants to call your name.
He wants to speak peace into your locked-up places.
He wants to bring resurrection to your story.
The question isn’t just “Do you believe He rose?”
It’s “Will you let Him meet you?”
Reflection Questions for You or Your Small Group
Which Easter story hits home most for you—Mary’s, Thomas’s, or someone else?
Have you ever felt like Jesus “called your name”? What was that like?
Are there places in your life right now where you feel stuck or broken? What would resurrection look like there?
What do you usually do with your doubts? How does Thomas’s story change how you view them?
Is there a part of your life that feels too far gone for Jesus to meet you in? What if that’s exactly where He wants to come?
How can we be more like Mary—people who run with hope and tell others what we’ve seen?
What would it look like to let Jesus meet you today?