Now It's Personal

Intro

Tonight we start our preparation for the most important day in Christianity. I mean like, Ice cream in the middle of the summer, bonfires in the fall type important, but X’s a billion!

April 4th is Easter Sunday! I know i know.... you may not get excited like i do, but i think i may know why...

I get excited about this day because of what i know about this day! You may say, “Pastor Matt, I know what happens. Jesus rose from the dead on Easter Sunday...” and you would be absolutely correct!!

Jesus had finally made His triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Everyone was cheering him on as He rode down the streets! It was like a Parade for the greatest sports team ever right after they won a championship, and on the float the team is riding on is a crazy loud rock band on it, and everyone Knew the song!!! Hosanna!!! Hosanna!!

John 12:13 CSB

13 they took palm branches and went out to meet him. They kept shouting: “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord—the King of Israel!”

People from far and wide were coming just to see him from a distance

Then in just a matter of days, the crowds turned on Him, and they were screaming:

John 18:40 CSB

40 They shouted back, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a revolutionary.

Of course then we know what happened right...

Jesus was beaten, spit on, and crucified...

But what Happened after all of the fuss?

What happened after the crowds left?

What happened when the “Party” was over?

Context

Sunday came around, and Mary Magdalene, one of Jesus followers, was the first person at the tomb that morning. The Bible says:

Luke 24:1 CSB

1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared.

Now Mary had a past, just like we do. We see a glimpse in Luke 8

Luke 8:1–2 CSB

1 Afterward he was traveling from one town and village to another, preaching and telling the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary, called Magdalene (seven demons had come out of her);

Mary Magdelene was a dedicated follower of Jesus! She loved Him dearly!! and this Love and commitment is on display in Her actions!

But when she got there, Jesus was gone!! So she freaks out!! She’s already mourning the loss of the MOST important person in her life, and now someone has defiled His grave!!!!

She goes and gets Peter and John, they don’t understand what’s going on, so they just give up and go home...

Now that we’re caught up, let’s see what happened next

John 20:11–16 CSB

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, “Rabboni!”—which means “Teacher.”

Jesus doesn’t copy and paste His invitation for us to Follow Him.

Jesus calls us by Name!

Mary was given three signs that this wasn’t defeat, , but that it was Victory!!

Mary saw two angels in the Place where Jesus had laid

Mary had followed Jesus… She knew that He had authority of God

But she couldn’t see past

Mary stood face to face with Jesus, but her vision was clouded

Is Jesus standing Face to face with you, but you’re so caught up in what seems bad in your life that you don’t see Him?

You’ve followed Him in the past, but “Stuff” got in the way!

Maybe you’ve always seen Jesus from Afar, but never really knew Him. “You’ve been a Fan, but not a part of the Family”

“Mary” was called by name!

and So are you! Jesus is calling you by Name tonight! You can’t deny it, you feel it in your bones. You feel it in your soul!

More Thomas than Mary?

Maybe for you it isn’t about not being distracted, but you’ve just decided that without proof it can’t be real?

Maybe you can’t relate to Mary, but you were there too.

One of Jesus’ Apostles, one of Jesus’ 12 closest friends and followers couldn’t get on board either...

He was so adamant in His disbelief that this happened:

John 20:24–29 CSB

24 But Thomas (called “Twin”), 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. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”

He constantly displays indisputable evidence of his Authority & Love

The Proof is all around us!

In the same way that Jesus Lovingly revealed Himself to Thomas, He reveals Himself to us!!

Reflect on His mercy and Grace in your life

Reflect on time with Grandparents, Parents, and siblings

Reflect on opportunities/activities that you enjoy

Reflect on difficult lessons that we’ve learned through difficult times

Reflect on the Fact that the God of the Universe, felt that you are important enough to not only give you a name, but to call on that name as one of His Children!!!

Mary or Thomas?

Are you distracted by the Lies of the world like Mary?

Do you believe that there isn’t enough proof like Thomas?

Jesus Called Mary by Name and Allowed Thomas to put his fingers in the wounds that were inflicted for Thomas’s Salvation!

He’s doing the same for you!

Hear Him Calling your name!

Feel the Sacrifice He made for you!