a Mission for Lent

Finish this phrase:

If something sounds too good to be true.....it probably is

When I was on a family vacation in the dells, we were called over to a little table for one of these all inclusive vacation packages.

A free vacation package if you just take this all day tour to see this resort and that one, and you get blah blah blah. Well, the more and more we listened, the more we realized that they were selling, not giving.

I remember my mom ‘won a free trip’ to some exotic destination, and all she had to do was go to a few meetings. They went to about three meetings before they called it quits. What seemed like a really great deal ended up just being a big time waster and a lesson learned.

Maybe you’ve received a flyer in the mail that has a key attached to it and says you’ve won a free car. All you have to do is come in and claim your prize.

Or maybe it’s just a diet that lets you eat whatever you want

or an automatic vacuum that will actually keep your house clean

or a multi-tool that replaces your entire toolbox

or a walkie talkie that works over 4 miles

Today we’re going to study a story about something that seemed too good to be true.

It seemed so good that initially hardly anyone believed it. Eventually many did believe, but most did not. But those that did believe, it changed their life so radically that everything they knew before finally made sense.

The story is found in each of the four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Looking at pieces of each of those accounts.

We’ll look at three acts today.

the Missing Person

the locked room

the final message

Theme: The reality of the risen Christ causes believers to repent and proclaim the Gospel.

I. The Missing Person

What’s interesting about the four gospels is that some of the details are not exactly shared. The details of the accounts have significant differences. Some people look at those differences and claim it as proof the story was made up. However, though the details of the story are different, they are not contradictory. In fact, the slight differences in number of women at the tomb, angels present, when Jesus appeared and when is exactly what eye witness testimony would look like. If the apostles had gotten together to make up a story, they would have the account match exactly.

What I’ll attempt to do today is walk through the story as we understand it from all the gospel accounts.

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Just before we read , know that the account we will discuss today takes place on Sunday April 5, AD 33.

Perhaps after midnight on Friday April 3, Jesus had been betrayed by Judas, was tried in a three phase Jewish trial, then a three phase roman trial. This resulted in the Jewish people chanting to Pontius Pilot to crucify Jesus.

All Jerusalem seemed to know about these horrific events, and many were disappointed at the outcome.

Jesus is killed. Hung on a piece of wood.

His friends stand confused and helpless as they watch him die.

Many run away for fear.

A man named Joseph takes Jesus dead body down from the cross, wraps it in linen and spices, and puts it in his own tomb.

Friday night, all day Saturday, and then Sunday morning comes.

I. The Missing Person

I. The Missing Person

Mark 16:1–14 ESV

1 When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. 9 Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. 11 But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it. 12 After these things he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. 13 And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them. 14 Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen.

Mark 16:1–13 ESV

When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it. After these things he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.

Mark 16:1–12 ESV

When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it. After these things he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country.

Mark 16:1

A. Women meet him

They run to tell the others

Luke 24:11 ESV

but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.

B. Peter and John run to the tomb

John ahead but stops

Peter goes in and sees the expensive cloth and spices still there. Any grave robber would have taken them.

John goes in and believes

John 20:8–9 ESV

8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.

John 20:9 ESV

for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.

C. Cleopas and another person talk with Jesus and break bread with him

Luke 24:1–12 ESV

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek 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 delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” And they remembered his words, 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.

Luke 24:13-

Luke 24:13–35 ESV

13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” 25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. 28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” 33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Luke 24:45–47 ESV

45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

John 20:9 ESV

for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.

They immediately run back to Jerusalem

The Visit

Luke 24:45-47

His own disciples and closest friends did not seem to expect Jesus to do what he said he would do: to rise again from the dead.

II. The Locked House

Luke 24:36–43 ESV

36 As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” 37 But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. 38 And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate before them.

Jesus is alive and breathing and eating,

and some of them doubted because it was too good to be true.

When I was in college, I hitched a ride home during a short break and didn’t tell my mom. I arrived right around dinner time and snuck in the back door. My whole family was seated at the table, and mom left the room for a minute. I quickly switched places with my brother, and everyone attempted to hide the smirks on their faces. My mom sat down and I asked her to pass me a napkin. She looked, did a double take, then jumped out of her chair laughing and crying.

Luke 24:36-

Sometimes we like to think of Thomas as the disciple who doubted.

John 20:23–29 ESV

If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

John 20:23-

John 20:29 ESV

Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Some were so afraid they didn’t tell anyone

Mark 16:8 ESV

And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

When Mary and the other two witnesses declared that they had indeed seen the risen Christ, they did not believe.

Mark 16:10–11 ESV

She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.

Mark 16:12–13 ESV

After these things he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.

i

The Mission

j

k ; [ver. 16]

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

III. The Final Mission

Matthew 28:18–20 ESV

18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Mark says something similar.

John 20:21 ESV

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”

Luke 24:44–49 ESV

44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

Luke 24:44–48 ESV

Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.

Luke 24:44-48

That power came on the day of pentecost when the disciples spoke in languages they had never studied before and three thousand people were added to the church.

I don’t want you to miss this:

The proper and expected response of a believer, who saw Jesus was alive, bodily resurrected from his murder,

was TELLING OTHERS.

Was going to their neighbors next door and in other countries.

Was standing as a witness to the hope forgiveness of sins and eternity with God through repentance.

Repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

‘You are witnesses’

The immediate response of a believer to the resurrection is repentance from sin and proclamation of a risen Christ.

This Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent.

a Mission for Lent

Like all Christian holy days and holidays, it has changed over the years, but its purpose has always been the same: self-examination and penitence, demonstrated by self-denial, in preparation for Easter. (Ted Olsen 2008 Christianity Today)

Initially lent only lasted two or three days, eventually it was expanded to 40 days or 46 depending if you count Sundays. Some say it represents Jesus’ fasting in the wilderness, other say the people of Israel in the desert for 40 years.

Some observe lent by fasting from food or entertainment, some by adding something to their life like doing a random act of kindness every day.

Often lent is observed by fasting, sometimes fasting from fish. But maybe what we need to deny ourselves during this season isn’t meat. Maybe we need to deny ourselves the selfishness that causes us to not spread the gospel.

But maybe what we need to deny ourselves during this season isn’t meat. Maybe we need to deny ourselves our fear and selfishness that keep us from spreading the gospel.

Maybe what we need to do is sacrifice our time in order to reach out to someone in need as a way to build a bridge big enough to take the gospel across.

Maybe what we need to do is get serious about the resurrection and repent of our sin and tell the people we have relationships with what that means to you.

Some of you may want to put ashes on your forehead in the hope that it will provide an opportunity for you to be a witness to the risen Christ.

Remember, you’re not telling this story as an unbiased detective of the facts of the resurrection. You tell the story of the resurrection as one who has been forever changed by its reality.

You have experienced the risen Christ.

No we have not seen him physically. we haven’t put our fingers in his hands or side, but we have been changed. We have the Spirit inside us that convicts us of sin, comforts us in our dark times, and affirms that we are forgiven children of God.

Maybe what you need to do for Lent is to pray every day for a specific person, that you would have an opportunity to give your faith story to them and that God would use it to bring them to repentance. So they too can experience the forgiveness of sins.

For some, the Gospel is too good to be true. That simple repentant faith is not enough to forgive their sins. That they need to do a lot of good works so that God will love them. But Jesus doesn’t love us because we shoveled our neighbors snow, or called our mother in law on her birthday, or gave $5 to a homeless person.

God loves us because that’s the kind of God he is. Loves the unlovely. He made us in his image and is redeeming his people and restoring us to be even more beautiful than his initial creation.

For some, they try to change the Gospel to mean what they want it to mean.

They want to claim that Jesus is alive again and come to church once in a while, but want to revel in their sin, and self indulgence, and greed. They want to believe in Jesus but they don’t want to follow him.

Remember the rich young ruler? A man who was the epitome of the good neighbor, upstanding citizen, and religiously flawless person. What did Jesus say to him, do you want to be close to God? You want eternal life with the Father? Sell your things and follow me.

He hoped his good deeds were enough to please God. But he didn’t realize he was still in bondage. He valued his position and his wealth more than he valued eternal treasure.

It’s not just about believing that Jesus rose from the dead, it’s realizing that turning from sin and turning to Christ is what Christianity is all about.

That’s why Lent is a helpful reminder for us. A reminder that God will sustain us even in our most depressing darkness.

When we feel like we simply cannot be around anyone, God is there with us.

When we feel so lonely and want just one phone call or visit, God is there with us

When we are feel so frustrated and helpless at our own inability to be the person we want to be, God is there, reminding us that we are his chosen people. That we are accepted by God. That He loves us and will never forget or forsake us.

That’s our mission for Lent. Repent. Taken inventory of your life. And testify to your friends what the resurrection means to you.