Introduction
As I was reading the accounts of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ … most started with …
Mk 15:22 Then they brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull.
(Picture- skull/cross bones, Tina Manthorpe)
There is a principle that unfolds out of scripture-
life comes out of death
In a spiritual sense-
death comes first, then life
crucifixion precedes resurrection
despair is followed by hope
darkness is invaded by light (Gen 1:2-3)
Consider this word spoken by Jesus looking towards His crucifixion and resurrection …
Jn 12:24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. NLT
It was easy for the disciples to understand- Jesus died.
They witnessed it on a hill side outside of Jerusalem.
They were stunned because they expected Him to …
save them from- oppressive Roman rule
establish His Kingdom in Jerusalem,
but they watched Him die the horrible death of Roman crucifixion- they knew He was dead.
They may have been there when He breathed is last-
Mtt 27:50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. NASU
Jesus was dead!
They may also have watched as Joseph of Arimathea took His body down from the cross.
Mk 15:46 Joseph bought a linen cloth, took Him down, wrapped Him in the linen cloth and laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out in the rock; and he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. NASU
There hopes were one by one smashed to the ground.
Defeat, despair, death had prevailed, there was nothing left to do now but go home.
Jesus had died/buried for all to see in clear view.
Birth of Jesus
Back up 33 year before when Jesus was born in Bethlehem- it also did not happen in secret.
God orchestrated the incarnation of Christ-
God taking on the form of a man
God taking off the robes of heaven and putting on the robes of mortality and human life.
His birth …
was foretold by the prophets many years before,
God commissioned an angel to announce His birth to a virgin,
He set a star in the heavens to summons the wise men,
He sent a company of singing angels to pronounce His birth to the shepherds,
He revealed to Simon/Anna- Jesus is the Christ.
Jesus was …
born amidst great activity and hope,
then He died publicly for all to see, and
now it appeared to be over- hopes dashed to the ground.
But that was not to be the end of this man Jesus.
He would live again!
However, His resurrection was not as well announced as His birth or as public as His death.
It all happened in the early morning hours.
An angel like a flash of light rolled the stone away from the entrance to the tomb.
There was an earthquake, but it all happened while everyone slept.
No angels, no stars, no wise men, few truly understood what had taken place.
In fact, those that encountered Jesus after His resurrection had a difficult time recognizing Him.
Not unlike us today, who struggle many times to see the risen Lord at work in our lives/circumstances.
Mary Magdalene
Mary- a woman- Jesus cast out seven demons.
Jn 20:1-12 (tell story)
Mary- afraid, upset- she loved Jesus, she had a revelation of His love for her- He set her free.
The least she could- tend to His dead body, all that remained for her of the Jesus she loved.
Jn 20:10-17 (read)
Angels- revealed themselves to Mary- not Peter/John.
Like many of us at times, Mary was mistaken, she misunderstood/misinterpreted the circumstances.
She had preconceived ideas concerning the Lord and what had just transpired over the past several days.
Her misconceptions kept her from recognizing Jesus.
Not only was Jesus dead- body was missing, stolen for some evil purpose by those who hated Him.
Our misconceptions likewise keep us from recognizing the Risen Christ at work in our lives.
So often- misinterpret- circumstances of every day life
We fail to understand what is happening and despair.
As a result we do not recognize the presence of God.
What can we see in this story …
• Misconceptions and false ideas
God wants to break down our misconceptions/false ideas so we can understand the truth/reality of life,
we can properly interpret our circumstances.
• Despair blinds us to His presence
When we over focus on- problems- miss His presence.
At times like this He will call us by name to assure us of His love and presence in our lives.
He will touch us in some way personally.
• His presence brings comfort
He comes to us when we are distraught/discouraged and His very presence brings comfort.
• His Word strengthens us
By His Word He strengthens us, enables us, and empowers us to live out His purpose for our lives.
The ten disciples (Judas, Thomas)
Jn 20:19-22
Lk 24:36-49
The disciples were confused and afraid.
They were hiding in fear of the Jews/Romans.
They had invested a lot of time and personal resources in this man Jesus, and now He was gone.
Hopes shattered, dreams smashed, lives devastated.
They had given up homes, left families, expended what little resources they had, and now what do they have to show for it.
They were locked behind the doors of fear and failure, unable to see beyond their despair and fulfill God’s purpose for their lives.
Many times we are caught in similar situations.
Life has not gone the way we planned and we are filled with anxiety concerning the future.
We have locked ourselves behind the bars of-
Guilt/failure/shame/fear/discouragement.
What can we see in this story …
• Obstacles and barriers do not stop Jesus
The barriers of the locked doors did not stop Jesus.
Jesus can overcome any impossibilities in our lives.
• Jesus presence brings immediate peace
Jesus steps into- room- speaks peace into their hearts.
Jesus will step into our lives and bring peace and order to our chaos.
• Jesus was sensitive to their skepticism
He provided tangible/practical proof that He was real- touch my hands/feet, eats food.
God will likewise do practical things for us to reassure us and let us know He is real,
He is involved in our lives and does care for us.
• He opened their minds to the scriptures
Once their hearts were filled with peace He opens their minds to understand the scriptures.
• God equips us for His purposes in our lives
Jesus breathed on them- they received the power of the HS- clothed with power from on high.
Conclusion
Jn 12:24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. NLT
Trials and difficulties are not our enemy.
Jesus is a God very present/accessible in our hour of trouble.
It is often out of our times of despair that God brings the greatest sense of hope and life.
We are called to LIVE and DIE and LIVE AGAIN for Christ- that all happens before our natural death.
Gal 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. NASU
In the words of Jesus Christ …
Mt 16:24-25
24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.
25 "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. NASU
(Ideas for this sermon taken from an article entitled A Manifold Resurrection by John Witte and a Christianity Today bible study, Encounters with the Risen Lord.)
