Easter 2022

He Chose Death So That You Could Choose Life!

John 10:18 ESV

18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

Last week we discussed the raising of Lazarus and how that was the first miracle Jesus performed where he showed that he had power over life and death. It’s also what started the ball rolling for his crucifixion. I believe it was also put in place to give the disciples an understanding of what was going to happen.

Although Jesus never spelled out how his death, barrial, and resurrection was to happen he eluded to the process many times during his 3 years of ministry and here is what I gathered from the day Jesus ressurected from the grave.

He calls your name

I love the song rattle as it opens with Saturday was silent surely it was through....but since when has impossible ever stopped you.

For the Jewish people Saturday was their Sabath. It was a day that started on dusk Friday night and ended Sunday Morning. It’s a day where they weren’t allowed to complete any work. No distractions. It’s a day simply to focus on God...

But this Saturday they sat because Jesus had died on the cross. Imagine for a moment what they are going through. Thier savior. Everything they bought into. Everything they put their lives on the line for gone in a day and you can’t even distract yourself with work. Imagine the depression, the desperation, and the dispair.

How many of us have been there? Everything going wrong and you’re so overwhelmed you don’t even know what the next step is so you sit. You, for a moment just exist in the chaos. Sunday rolls around.

Mary Magdalene, and the other women, went to prepare Jesus’ body for the grave. The come to find out Jesus is Gone and in John’s account

John 20:11–16 ESV

11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).

In the midst of the Chaos.. In the midst of the desperation in the midst of the ordinary. Jesus said her name.

Mary. And her eyes opened. that’s all it took. He went from a stranger who may have been the one who stole Jesus’ body. To the Savior..Jesus who overcome death and fear.

2. He knows your pain

Luke 24:13–17 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.

Jesus knew what they were discussing. He saw the pain in their eyes. So he did the one thing that the bible instructs us to do when we don’t know what to do.

He spoke truth

While they were taking their 6 mile journey Jesus explain the entire Old Testimate prophesies regarding his death.

Luke 24:25–27 ESV

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.

He then later revieled himself when he sat down and ate with the disciples.

In order to see Christ in your situation we must first see the truth.

My wife and I have developed the practice that when we get overwhelmed, when life gets to hard, when we can’t go anymore. One of us goes to the other, prays and then asks a simple question.

What is God’s truth in this moment?

It’s a simple reminder that in all my feats and pain God’s truth doesn’t change. My situation may change, but God’s truth doesn’t change.

3. He understands your doubt

John 20:24–25 ESV

24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 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.”

Listen Jesus isn’t afraid of your doubt. Satan wants you to think doubt is bad. But I love how Jesus handles this situation. Jesus does’t come in yelling or berating Thomas. Without word.

John 20:26 ESV

26 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.”

Eight days later. In a locked room. Jesus walks through the walls. As if that isn’t enough to discpel your doubt. He simply says

John 20:27 ESV

27 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.”

Jesus showed up solely for Thomas’ benefit. There was no other recorded reason for Jesus being there that day. He simply walked through the wall, let Thomas see and touch his wounds and left.

He shouldn’t be known as doubting Thomas.

He should be known as the one remembered. To everyone else Jesus showed up in a group of people. But to Thomas he remembered him and came for him. He didn’t leave one behind. He didn’t leave one doubting.

You may feel alone this easter. You may be sitting her doubting the very nature of everything we discussed this morning. You may not even know Jesus as Lord and Savior, but he made provision for you to hear about him. He made an oppertunity for you to believe. He makes ways through your pain, you doubts, and your fears.