Turn to Peace

I’ve said many times, “If Jesus is in you, then He should be coming out of you. If He’s not coming out of you then maybe He’s not in you!” Easter should not be a one time a year event. That’s where faith and hope come in to play.

What do you have faith or hope in? Is it seen or not seen?

Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. - Hebrews 11:1

We see a “faith/hope” issue here in John 20:24-25, Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. ²⁵ So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

Jesus spoke directly in to the lives of His disciples on Resurrection Sunday and speaks to us as well. The thing that resonates with me is how He greeted His friends after He arose from the dead. He didn't go in to a great sermon or an explanation about what happened. He simply said, Peace. 

Read John 20:26-31

We tend to miss this (Peace) in our studies. We spend time on other details. We grin at Thomas' reaction of Jesus showing up just after he had said he wouldn't believe unless he touched Christ's wounds.

I'm sure Jesus was pleased that His doubting friend fell to his knees proclaiming Jesus Lord. Jesus said it was greater to believe and to have not seen. Jesus said those with "blind faith" in Him are blessed. They will receive His peace.
Do you have Jesus' Peace?

Adversity Lesson

We all have adversity in our lives. But no one had adversity like Jesus had one day – betrayal, arrested, abandoned, mocked, beaten, crucified, and put in a borrowed grave.

How did He respond? The same as He did in life. Consider the seven last words from the cross:

1.     Forgiveness - Luke 23:34: Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.

2.     Mercy - Luke 23:43: Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.

3.     Love - John 19:26–27: Woman, behold your son. Son, behold your mother.

4.     Grace - Matthew 27:46 & Mark 15:34 My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?

5.     Caring - John 19:28: I thirst.

6.     Redemption - John 19:30: It is finished. (From the Greek "Tetelestai" which is also translated "It is accomplished", or "It is complete".)-Salvation (way to God) is Finished.

7.     Hope - Luke 23:46: Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.

How we respond to adversity is a test of our faith. Yes, that Friday was a hard day for Jesus, and we understand adversity…But God works for good in all things (even in adversity) May we allow Him to do likewise in our lives. Amen?

When Jesus Shows Up

We are reminded every year on Palm Sunday and the Triumphal Entry of what can happen when Jesus shows up! In Luke 19:35-46 He shows up in the City Jerusalem., and turns everything upside down. This isn’t the only occasion where our Lord changes things with His presence. We see it throughout the Bible:

- In Creation John 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was with God in the beginning.

- In Christmas Matthew 1:23“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”)

- In Counsel – (Matthew 5 The Beatitudes) Upside down Kingdom

- In Crisis (the death of a friend) John 11 ²⁵ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; ²⁶ and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” ²⁷ “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

How about when Jesus shows up in your life?

- In Your Commitment Romans 10 ⁹ If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. ¹¹ As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”^{[e] 12} For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, ¹³ for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Has Jesus shown up in your life? If not, invite Him to today.

Timely Hope

In Matthew and Mark, it is reported that both thieves were mocking Jesus along with the crowd. As the hours wore on, however, one criminal’s conscience was smitten, and he repented. The repentant thief rebuked the other and testified to Jesus’ innocence. His prayer reflected his belief that the soul lives on after death; that Christ had a right to rule over a kingdom of the souls of me, and that He would soon enter that kingdom despite His impending death. His request to be remembered is a plea for mercy, which also reveals that the thief understood he had no hope but divine grace. All of this demonstrates true faith on the part of the dying thief. Christ graciously affirmed the man’s salvation, and offered paradise to the repentant thief on the cross

Luke 23:39-43 - One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.

Your hope in eternity brings you hope today. Amen?

Said So

When Jesus enters your life, a new power comes to because He is your king. “Are you the King of the Jews?” asked Pilate. “You have said so,” Jesus replied (Mark 15:2).

Jesus wasn't going to lie. He could not deny his kingship. His kingdom though is much more powerful and mighty than anything anyone has ever experienced. It is and eternal kingdom. That power is yours, too, if you accept the king because when Jesus enters your life, a new power comes to you because he is your king.

All the power of the kingdom comes when the king enters in.

That’s what Jesus meant when he told his first followers,

Anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these … (John 14:12).

Bold words, but true.

Allow King Jesus to enter in to your heart, and rule your life today and always. 

Amen?

Gospel

Easter says you can put Truth in the grave but it won’t stay there! “But God raised Him from the dead, freeing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on Him.” -Acts 2:24

Eight Truths about the Resurrection:

1. Jesus’ grave was empty. No one doubts this!

2. Women discovered the empty tomb. - There were eyewitnesses!

3. The site of Jesus’ tomb was known. - It was public knowledge!

4. Nobody ever claimed the tomb still contained Jesus’ body.

- Conspiracy theories are made up!

5. The resurrection was the church’s proclamation from the beginning. - Changed lives are proof! (Cowards become bold evangelists)

6. The appearances of Jesus. - Over 500 people saw Him!

7. Skeptics were converted. - Thomas and Jesus’ brothers just to name a few.

8. The miraculous emergence of the church. - The first 50 years of the church saw unprecedented growth!

May we take the Truth of the Resurrection and apply them to our lives. Amen?

He is Alive!

Happy Resurrection Sunday! Let’s look at the excitement shared in Matthew 28:1-10. 

¹ After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.  ² There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. ³ His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. ⁴ The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

   ⁵ The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. ⁶ He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. ⁷ Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

   ⁸ So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. ⁹ Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. ¹⁰ Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

He has risen indeed! Live the resurrection of Christ every day of the year.

Don’t be afraid – Go tell somebody. Amen!