 |
|
|
| The Life in the Resurrection1 On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him." (John 20:1-2, NKJV)"Why did God allow this?" is a burning question at the death of a loved one. So it was back on a somber Sunday morning. A woman named Mary went to the tomb to grieve for her beloved Teacher who had died on a cross -- a most inhumane and, in His case, a most unjust act. For everyone who knew Jesus knew that He was without sin. What would you feel if you went to the grave site of your beloved grandfather and the grave was just an empty hole? In a time of intense grief, imagine Mary's horror as she discovered an empty tomb. Someone must have stolen the body -- because He is dead, right? Main Thought: The resurrected Jesus Christ brings spiritual life, hope, and vitality to every person who believes in Him.
1. From confusion to faith -- as the resurrected LORD, Jesus confirmed all that the Scriptures testified about Christ.3 Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. 4 So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. 5 And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. 9 For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went away again to their own homes. (John 20:3-10, NKJV)Peter and John had walked, talked, ate, and been discipled by Jesus for over three years. Each was raised in a Jewish home where the Scriptures were taught. Each attended the synagogue where the Scriptures were proclaimed and taught. When Peter entered the tomb, he marveled at what had happened (Luke 24:11-12) but did not yet believe in the LORD Jesus Christ. (John 20:9) Perhaps he was still feeling guilty for denying Him. But John, the disciple "whom Jesus loved," trusted in Jesus at this point. Those Bible memory verses are important after all. After Christ rose from the dead, John believed because he remembered the testimony of Scripture. The Bible says that John saw and believed because he knew the Scripture -- he understood the meaning of the Old Testament prophecies concerning Messiah's death and resurrection, just a few of which include: John undoubtedly remembered Jesus' own words which he later recorded in the gospel bearing his name: 19 Jesus answered and said to them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." 20 Then the Jews said, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?" 21 But He was speaking of the temple of His body. 22 Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said. (John 2:19-22, NKJV)Would you say your spiritual life runs on Energizer batteries or generic batteries? Could it be you lack faith in the LORD Jesus Christ? Could it be your faith needs to be renewed? John's example in this passage shows that faith is born in the testimony of God's word. (Rom. 10:17) Your faith will be renewed, rekindled, and revitalized each day in the testimony of God's power and faithfulness. The regular study of God's word will provide stability and vitality to your life. Study it, ask God to help you understand it, apply it to your life, and then obey. This will increase your faith and your faithfulness. 2. From despair to hope -- as the resurrected LORD, He lives to speak to our hearts personally.11 But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 Then they said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him." 14 Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" She, supposing Him to be the gardener, 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, "Rabboni!" (which is to say, Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.'" 18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her. (John 20:11-18, NKJV)Who was Mary looking to find -- a dead Savior? Mary grieved until she heard Jesus call her by name: "Mary!" She wanted to "cling" or continue to hold onto Jesus in the flesh, in His earthly ministry. As a man, He ministered step by step, in one place at a time, to one person or to small groups at a time. Is this the kind of Savior that can help you whenever and wherever you need it? Now that Jesus is risen from the dead, we no longer regard Him according to His flesh (2 Cor. 5:16) because: Therefore, we always live with great hope for the future to quell the despair even of life itself. The Bible says, "You are complete in Him who is the head of all principality and power" (Col. 2:10, NKJV). If you despair in life, listen for His voice. Remember Jesus -- not as a man regardless of how great a man He was -- as the LORD of glory who loves you and gave Himself for you. (Gal. 2:20). His resurrection turns our despair to hope because He is alive. You are complete in Him so rest from your despair and hopelessness in Him. Mary go up from her despair and told the disciples because "He had spoken these things to her." (John 20:18, NKJV). Is He speaking to you today? Listen... 3. From fear to courage -- as the resurrected LORD, Jesus releases us from fear and gives us power to really live.19 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, "Peace be with you." 20 Now when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "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." (John 20:19-23, NKJV)Total fear gripped the disciples as they huddled together in the room that night. The doors were shut (and locked I'm sure) for fear that the Jewish religious leaders would find them -- they might be the next ones crucified! Suddenly Jesus appeared and calmed their fears with His words, "Peace be with you!" The Prince of peace had come to them in their time of great need. Showing them the scars on His hands and side, Jesus made them rejoice for they knew that "they saw the LORD." The One who died for them was alive -- resurrected for eternity. What was His command to them? How would this cowardly band of disciples ever find the courage to proclaim such a message to a hostile Jerusalem? His second command covered this issue: The Holy Spirit would indwell them with the presence and power of God. To all believers throughout the ages, the Holy Spirit is the One who makes us realize the life-giving presence and power of God in our lives: We live because He lives -- the Spirit of Jesus lives in your heart. His resurrection did not end on that first Easter Sunday. The resurrection continues each time an individual turns to the LORD -- for the first time to experience the new life to be found only in Christ, or for the 4,000th time to experience His peace, His presence, and His power to live and love in a fallen world. Because He lives, His Spirit provides us the ability to rejoice every day as the disciples did that very first day. He indeed makes you glad because He makes His presence known to you personally and together in a group such as this -- "For where two or three come together in My name, there am I with them" (Matthew 18:20, NIV). Conclusion: Be not unbelieving but believing!Even after hearing of Jesus' appearance, Thomas stubbornly refused to believe what he surely wanted to be true. Did Jesus turn Him away, or turn Him loose?Thomas' conclusion about Jesus is to be our conclusion about Him as well. John finishes this chapter with the purpose for his gospel: And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. (John 20:30-31, NKJV)Do not be unbelieving but believing! Reflect on YOUR life: You can experience the resurrection power in your life each day as you surrender your life to Him -- for the 1st time or the 4,000th time. Each day is a new beginning of mercy, love, and grace. When you release yourself to Him you release His life to be manifest in you so that you can echo the word of the Apostle Paul, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live but Jesus Christ lives in me!" (Gal. 2:20, NKJV)
|
|
