The Risen Jesus

Intro

This Easter, as I am with every other day, I am thankful for The Risen Savior and as we are celebrating today, Jesus’ resurrection proves everything He ever said and claimed to be is true. My hope is that each Sunday you come to church, you leave feeling thankful for something and convicted about something. I can think of one time I went before I was pastor, and it was clear that my friend’s young 3-4 year old child was certainly listening to the pastor and was thankful for something in life. As the pastor asked the question to the audience, “What are you thankful for?” She proudly and loudly stood up on her chair and loudly and clearly said these words, “I’m thankful for frenchy fries and Dino Nuggies.” Of course, I got a good chuckle out of this, her parents reaction was mixed. But hey, she was listening, and she understood something, that the message was for her as much as it was for anyone else in the room, Just as Jesus’ offer of salvation is for anyone who is listening and would accept it.

Prayer

Father God, we thank You for Who You are. A great Big God who sees each and every one of us here and cares deeply about us. We ask this day, as we are continuing in this time of worship to You, reading Your Word and hearing Your Word, that You refine us with it. Mold us, make us, shape us, rearrange us so that we can be more like You, and made more into the image of Christ. Help us be a people who love You and love others so much that we are moved into action by whatever it is You are going to show us about Yourself today and what that means in our lives. Help us do this, because all too often our selfish and sinless flesh war against our will to follow Yours. As we are doing this, and as we are coming into Your Word today, we ask that You take away any distraction that we may have, and make it go as far away as it possibly can, because we want to see and we want to know You better. I ask these things for your glory and in Jesus Christ’s Holy and precious name that I pray, Amen.

Context

Today is the Holiest and most important day of all Christianity, Easter (or Resurrection Sunday), a regular observance/celebration of the day Jesus rose from the grave, once and for all proving to us that with His death sin the grave and sin is defeated, that Jesus was and is who He said He is (the messiah, the king of kings/Lord of Lords, the Son of God, the slain lamb). This day was the indisputable proof, as no one comes back from the dead, especially such a brutal one where a person was tortured, beaten, stabbed, and left in a tomb.

The events that we will read about today in this chapter of The Gospel (the good news) according to John, is a first hand written account of what happened. In fact, we see the author refer to himself and his own discovery of the empty tomb. This all takes place, 3 days after the events of the blood and terrible Roman Cross. Where Jesus was executed by Rome by the spurring on and vengeance of the corrupt Jewish leadership, who stands in not just for a people, but all people deep in sin and rebelling against God. This of course, was all part of God’s plan, as it was necessary for Jesus die, so that His blood could pay the sacrifice permanently for person who would accept Jesus’ sacrifice for their own; to make them able to stand before God once again, not as person condemned with high treason, but as well beloved son and daughter, adopted into the family God, and treasured as His favorite creation.

Yes, the gap between God and man is great because of sin, so great that only God could pay the price Himself. So, The God Head saw it as pleasing to send The Son, so that He might die so that we could indeed live. Jesus’ resurrection proves everything He ever said and claimed to be is true. So then, let us all rejoice together in our great redeemer, our great God who loves us so much! Let us savor the gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord, let’s jump in together and From the text, I want you to see, do these actions as you see and experience life in The Risen Jesus.

Message

The first action to see and do is to: Trust every word that Jesus said 1-18

20 On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark. She saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. 2 So she went running to Simon Peter and to the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said to them, “They’ve taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they’ve put him!”3 At that, Peter and the other disciple went out, heading for the tomb. 4 The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and got to the tomb first. 5 Stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then, following him, Simon Peter also came. He entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there. 7 The wrapping that had been on his head was not lying with the linen cloths but was folded up in a separate place by itself. 8 The other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, then also went in, saw, and believed. 9 For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples returned to the place where they were staying.11 But Mary stood outside the tomb, crying. As she was crying, she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 She saw two angels in white sitting where Jesus’s body had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you crying?”“Because they’ve taken away my Lord,” she told them, “and I don’t know where they’ve put him.” 14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know it was Jesus. 15 “Woman,” Jesus said to her, “why are you crying? Who is it that you’re seeking?” Supposing he was the gardener, she replied, “Sir, if you’ve carried him away, tell me where you’ve put him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” Turning around, she said to him in Aramaic,[a] “Rabboni!”—which means “Teacher.” 17 “Don’t cling to me,” Jesus told her, “since I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them that I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them what[b] he had said to her.

At her first opportunity after the high holy days and sabbath, Mary along with some of the other women went to attend to Jesus’ body, as it had been laid in haste at the last minute. In the other gospel accounts, we see recorded how the tomb was sealed with a heavy stone and had a Roman guard posted at the request of the Jewish priests, wanting his followers to be stamped out once and for all. Mary went, wondering how she could remove the stone, and then saw the scene, a moved stone and a missing body! In this moment of both excitement and terror, she runs back to 2 of the leaders of the disciples, John and Peter and tells them how the body was gone. Together they ran, in astonishment and shock, the men realized something (though they didn’t understand the full scriptural impact), they would remember how Jesus had on many times told them that He would rise once again 3 days after his death. Well, here it was the 3rd day, and His body was gone, the stone was taken away, and the guard seemed to have been useless. While the men would have left with feelings and understanding that would have baffled and bewildered them, making them unable to put words to it, Mary it seemed did not understand just yet. The men left, but she remained behind weeping. How could He be gone, I will never get to repay the man who freed me from Satan, as she would have seen this act of solemn final service as a way she could. Then, through the tears, she saw 2 men (angels) standing where Jesus’ body was and then suddenly, a voice behind her! Right behind her, was the person she wanted to see most, but whether it be through the grief in her tears or another reason, she did not recognize Him, until He (Jesus) addressed her kindly with love.

What does she do? She cries out to him in excitement, wanting to cling close to Him and never let Him go just as a child does to a parent they haven’t seen awhile! Jesus tells her, you must let me go, for there is still much that I must do and I must go to The Father soon, so you will have to let go my beloved child. So then, go to my brothers (the disciples) and tell them that it is all true. Tell them they can trust everything I ever said about myself, tell them you saw me! So, she swiftly went and did just that!

Have you ever been around anyone who you couldn’t trust a single word they said, no matter how truthful their eyes or their meaning was? I’m sure we all have. Well, have you ever met the opposite, someone who could believe every word they ever said, not just that they meant to do as they said they would, but that it would actually happen? Of course we haven’t, but I bet we all know a good few women and men who try to. As seemingly perfect and trustworthy as that beloved person is, they in no way compare the perfect, sinless, and all powerful savior Jesus. Just look here! Jesus’ resurrection proves everything He ever said and claimed to be is true. So then, let me charge you, follower of Jesus, doubter of Jesus, and unsure about Jesus all alike, trust every word that Jesus ever said. In Him His light, and life and truth. Do not fall for the darkness, death, and lies that the world readily gives us.

The next action to see and do is to: Be blessed by your belief in Jesus 19-29

19 When it was evening on that first day of the week, the disciples were gathered together with the doors locked because they feared the Jews. Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be with you.”20 Having said this, he showed them his hands and his side. So the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you.” 22 After saying this, he breathed on them and said,[c] “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” 24 But Thomas (called “Twin”[d]), one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples were telling him, “We’ve seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “If I don’t see the mark of the nails in his hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe.” 26 A week later his disciples were indoors again, and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Don’t be faithless, but believe.” 28 Thomas responded to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said, “Because you have seen me, you have believed.[e] Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”

As they had taken to doing after Jesus’ death, the disciples were together, hiding away in a locked room out of fear for their own lives. Unexpectedly, Jesus came in among them, through the locked door and greeted them warmly, showing them that He was indeed their master and savior standing among them. The risen Jesus tell them that they will be sent out into the world, just as He was sent into the world and gave them unique roles of authority and position, which are called apostles. They were there, but one was missing, Thomas. Now, we aren’t sure why He was away, but he was. Thomas’s doubts step in for all of mankind, He chose not to believe that Jesus had visited them, even though at this point he reports from the women and all the others, He had not reason to doubt their words, he had every reason to believe it, as we are seeing the fulfillment of what Jesus had told all of them multiple times would happen. However, he needed something. He needed proof, proof that he fortunately would receive as a week later Jesus would visit them again much like he had before. Jesus shows Thomas His wounds, and every proof that yes, this was indeed the Jesus you knew so well standing in front of you. See me, and believe Thomas, and so He did in joy. Notice something here about Jesus’ Character as God. He didn’t lash out, He didn’t rebuke Thomas, but He did take the opportunity to show and teach something and give a blessing. Look what He said in verse 29, that those who have not seen and yet have believed Jesus words are blessed, meaning well thought of and favored by God. So, Jesus tells us plainly here, something that get to take home, is that God favors us and looks well upon us when we trust Jesus by faith.

There is a story about a man’s day. It goes something like this, “One morning R.C. Chapman, a devout Christian, was asked how he was feeling. "I'm burdened this morning!" was his reply. But his happy countenance contradicted his words. So the questioner exclaimed in surprise, "Are you really burdened, Mr. Chapman?" "Yes, but it's a wonderful burden--it's an overabundance of blessings for which I cannot find enough time or words to express my gratitude!" Seeing the puzzled look on the face of his friend, Chapman added with a smile, "I am referring to Psalm 68:19, which fully describes my condition. In that verse the Father in heaven reminds us that He 'daily loads us with benefits.'"

Yes, followers of Jesus have benefits in all kinds of places for their faith in Jesus. Sure, we all would love some kind of clear sign and visual proof, but the blessing is all the sweeter when it isn’t given. The follower of Jesus will be able to in many times in their lives look at a hard or impossible situation and say, “God did that.” There are so many testimonies and riveting tails of that happening by so many of us in this room, that I would invite any doubter to come to a seasoned believer and ask that person to share their story.This day, this Easter Sunday, is a very good day to remind ourselves of this lesson here as Jesus’ resurrection proves everything He ever said and claimed to be is true. One thing He said to us, was that we will be blessed when we put our faith in Him as Lord, Savior, Messiah, God.

Another action to see and do is to: Have eternal life in Jesus’ name 30-31

30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God,[f] and that by believing you may have life in his name.

In these few verses, we see what John was getting at here, the whole reason he wrote this gospel. The whole reason he wrote down this book that has given inspiration and strength to believers for 2000 years now. Here it is, he wrote this book so that you, yes you hearing these words, that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God,[f] and that by believing you may have life in his name.

So then, what do I mean by eternal life? I mean this, you know that your body is temporary. However, did you know that your soul will go on to live forever. Yes, God knitted it together, knew it before you were ever born. Unlike God, our souls are not eternal (always was and always will be), but it will go on to live forever more. The life Jesus, John, and I are referring here to is the life of the soul. Your soul has 2 options once it leaves your body after you breathe your last breath. It will either go up to be with God forever, or it will fall to be with Satan forever. You will either know joy forever or you will know punishment forever. This punishment is well deserved. As the unrepentant sinner is in rebellion against God. This rebellion is of your own choosing, and permanently creates a separation between you and God. How then, how then do we go from the state of sin and rebellion that we all are born into (which leads to spiritual death/seperation from God) to forever spiritual life? By accepting Jesus Christ’s offer of salvation. By accepting His death to the price that you owe for your sin. No other thing you can do will ever pay the price, as the debt is to large and crushing. So then, accept Jesus' offer of forgiveness, paid for by His own blood and life given on the cross.

Have eternal life in Jesus’ name. Once you have it, live a life that proves you are truly His follower, His disciple. Live a life that shoes that you love God, that you love others, and that you are committed to make more disciples. Jesus’ resurrection proves everything He ever said and claimed to be is true. He claimed to be God, He claimed that He would save you if you put your faith in Him. He claimed to be the light of the world, He claimed to be the true nourishment that our souls need to survive. So then, Have eternal life in Jesus name. You have nothing to gain by waiting.

Conclusion

Possible room for baptism.

Father God, we thank You for Who You are. A great Big God who sees each and every one of us here and cares deeply about us. We ask this day, as we are continuing in this time of worship to You, reading Your Word and hearing Your Word, that You refine us with it. Mold us, make us, shape us, rearrange us so that we can be more like You, and made more into the image of Christ. Help us be a people who love You and love others so much that we are moved into action by whatever it is You are going to show us about Yourself today and what that means in our lives. Help us do this, because all too often our selfish and sinless flesh war against our will to follow Yours. As we are doing this, and as we are coming into Your Word today, we ask that You take away any distraction that we may have, and make it go as far away as it possibly can, because we want to see and we want to know You better. It’s in these things that I ask and in Jesus Christ’s Holy and precious name that I pray, Amen.