Easter! Christ is risen from the dead! In consequence, because He lives, we also live! Halleluiah.
What a glorious hope the believer has. Christ is risen – and because of that, we live!
There are two aspects of this wonderful life that is now ours, and both are affected by the glorious truth of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
a) There is the life that is to come – we shall be raised incorruptible.
We have the assurance of eternal life when we leave this mortal body.
b) There is the life that we now live – Christ in me the hope of glory.
We have the assurance of eternal life while still in this mortal body, for when Christ came into our lives at the ‘New Birth’ we began to live for eternity!
What a wonderful truth is this!
Let us review the account in John’s Gospel, and see there the Risen Christ and His concern for His followers, who were so confused!
I see that the Lord Jesus still has His great concern and compassion for those who where His followers. Immediately after He has risen He begins to show compassion and care for those who are in distress, bringing reassurance and comfort to them in their sorrow, and imparts strength for the task that lies ahead of them.
I want us to look at the
‘FIRST SEVEN WORDS OF THE RISEN SAVIOUR’,
as seen in John’s Gospel chapter 20
I. "WOMAN," HE SAID, "WHY ARE YOU CRYING? v 15
It is interesting to see that the first recorded words of the risen Saviour were to a woman in a garden! It reminds me of the first garden, and another question, "What is this you have done?" This was at the first sin by Adam and Eve, and now here in another garden the Lord speaks again, "Woman, why are you crying? He asks. In the first garden sin entered and death by sin. Here in the ‘Easter Garden’, sin has been conquered, and there are no need of tears for here is the Risen Christ, the Victor over death. He shows His concern for His people in their time of need. The day is coming when “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” [Rev 21:4]
I wonder why Mary didn’t recognise the Lord Jesus? Was it the tears? On the other hand, was it that she wasn’t expecting to see the Risen Christ? Had she forgotten His words
“I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.” [John 10:17 & 18 AV]
II. "MARY." V 16
Jesus called Mary by her name! Note the personal touch. He knew each of His disciples individually. I find that so encouraging, for He also knows me as an individual person! We do not get lost in the crowd with our Saviour! He knows you, and He loves you!
Jesus spoke personally to
a) Mary in her despair
b) Thomas in his doubting, and
c) Peter in his denial
Jesus used Mary’s name, and that was enough. She knew His voice, and despair was exchanged for joy.
He spoke to Thomas personally, even though he had doubted. He now knew Jesus had risen from the dead, and doubt gave way to faith.
What is especially good to note is that a little later, he speaks of Peter by name, the one who had denied Him, but Peter is included in the good news.
“Go, tell his disciples and Peter,” [Mark 16:7]
Peter had a private interview with the Lord, and denial was replaced by an acceptance of a special call to service.
III. GO INSTEAD TO MY BROTHERS AND TELL THEM,.. V 17
Mary had the wonderful message that Jesus had risen from the dead, and she was not to keep it to herself, but tell the other followers of the Lord the Good News. Perhaps we can learn an important matter just here. We have the good news that Jesus is alive, and we are not to keep it to ourselves.
a) Mary had a message for the disciples, and
b) The Disciples had a message for the world.
He told them, "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere. 16 Anyone who believes and is baptised will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. [Mark 16:15 & 16 NLT]
This instruction from the Risen Christ is relevant to us today. Are we willingly telling others of the good news?
IV. "PEACE BE WITH YOU!" V 19 – 21
This is a vital part of the message in our present time – the Message of Peace. If peace is going to be an effective part of our daily lives then it must start with the One who is the Prince of Peace, He paid the Price of Peace for us, securing it for us through His precious blood.
Through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. [Col 1:20 NIV]
He still says
"I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. The peace I give isn’t like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid. [John 14:27 NLT]
The peace that Jesus gives is
a) Peace with God
b) Peace with others, and very importantly
c) Peace with ourselves
"I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart.”
V. AS THE FATHER HAS SENT ME, I AM SENDING YOU." 22 AND WITH THAT HE BREATHED ON THEM AND SAID, "RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT.” V 21 & 22
Here is a very definite call to service, and a definite promise of power to enable us to serve.
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted.
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." [Mt 28:16]
There is a vital work to accomplish for the Lord, which we are unable to do without the Lord coming to our aid. How marvellous to know that when He calls us, He is also there to give us the ability and power to do His will. We can do this through the power provided by the Risen Christ.
"And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven." [Lu 24:49]
The ‘early church’ believers certainly experienced this, for even when they were severely persecuted they still proclaimed the Good News to all they met.
Those who were dispersed went throughout the country, preaching the good news of the message as they went. [Acts 8:4JBP]
What an example to us today. All this through the power given them by the Risen Christ.
Easter isn’t just for us to send and receive gifts– it’s for those who do not yet know the Lord as Saviour, so that they may know the gift of ‘new birth’.
VI. "PUT YOUR FINGER HERE; SEE MY HANDS. REACH OUT YOUR HAND AND PUT IT INTO MY SIDE. STOP DOUBTING AND BELIEVE." V 27
Thomas failed to attend one meeting – and look at what he missed! A visit from the Risen Christ!
For where two or three gather together in my name. I am there among them." [Mt 18:20 NLT]
Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory. [1Ti 3:16 NIV]
Think about this – when we meet in His name, the Lord has declared that He is among His people. That means that the Risen Christ is here now! He is here whenever we meet together as part of His Body – the Church. I wonder how much we appreciate the presence of the Lord when we meet together. I think that the way we appreciate His presence is related to the level at which we love Him!
VII. “BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HAVE NOT SEEN AND YET HAVE BELIEVED." V 29
We are living a life of faith, and not one of sight [II Cor. 5:7 Wey]
The resurrection did happen! Christ is risen from the dead, and although it happened a long time ago; thanks be to God, this glorious, victorious truth is ours today
Just before the Lord died, He had some special words of encouragement for His disciples
In just a little while the world will not see me again, but you will. For I will live again, and you will, too. 20 When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. [John 14:19 & 20]
These words are very meaningful for us today. He is alive, and because of that, we have a new life! A new nature.
Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. [1John 5:4 NIV]
Let me borrow the words of Peter,
Though you have never seen him, yet you love him. At present you trust him without being able to see him, and even now He brings you a joy that words cannot express and which has in it a hint of the glories of Heaven. [1Pe 1:8 JBP]
Because of the resurrection we have a glorious hope, one day we shall see Him, for He is coming for us, and
We know that when he comes we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. [I John 3:2[NLT]
Christ is risen from the dead! In consequence, because He lives, we also live! And shall live eternally with our wonderful Lord, who really is alive today. Halleluiah!
