Resurrection Reality – Proof and Peace is the second sermon in our Easter series. The reality of Easter change how we view the world around us. Today we’ll see how it changes how we work through doubt.
Listen to the first couples verses from our John 20 text. 19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. What is wrong with this picture? Jesus miraculously appears in the middle of a locked room full of frightened and confused people. He says – peace be with you – they get to see that it’s really him as he shows them the glorious scars from the crucifixion. Then they are excited and believe.
This is Easter evening. What do you know about Easter morning that makes this so pathetic! Jesus had already appeared to Mary who had told these men he was alive, but they’re still hiding. Jesus that afternoon had appeared to two of the disciples on the road to Emmaus. After Jesus left them they ran back to Jerusalem and had told the disciples what had happened, but they’re still in hiding.
On Easter Sunday morning where should the disciples have been? – camping out by the tomb brewing star bucks for the soldiers, right? Or at least after they get the message from Mary, whoop it up in the streets, right?! The last thing – the only people who remembered that Jesus was going to rise from the dead were Jesus’ enemies. The people that had Jesus killed at least tried to prepare for his resurrection. Unfortunately for them if death can’t hold Jesus, I don’t think the royal seal and a couple soldiers will do the trick either.
Want hear more? Watch this week’s message taken from John 20 – Resurrection Reality – Proof and Peace.
Book(s): John
Series: Resurrection Reality
Tag(s): Easter
Speaker(s): Fred Guldberg