Sermon
John 20:19
It was evening of the first day of the week. The followers had gathered together with the doors locked because they were afraid of the Jews. Jesus came and said “May you have peace. New Living Translation
It’s all good
Max Lucado writes this from the New Living Translation saying: “This is Peter denying Jesus.” His feet walked on water. His hands distributed the miracle food to feed the five thousand. His eyes saw Moses and Elijah standing next to Jesus on Transfiguration Hill. His lips swore allegiance: “Not even if I have to die with you! I will never deny you (Mt 26:35 NLT).” And Peter wasn’t the only one: “All the other disciples vowed the same. (Mt 26:33-35). But before the dark became dawn, “All his disciples deserted him and ran away (Mk 14:50 NLT).” John, Andrew, James… men who are today “Stained-glassed” in a thousand cathedrals, spent the night…hiding in haystacks. They abandoned Him and ran away…But even more amazing is this- when Christ rose from the dead He never brought it up.” Not even one “I told you so.” Entering the upper room He could have quoted their own words, reminding them of the betrayal. “Boy, Andrew, some friend you are. And, John, to think I was going to let you write one of the Gospels.” He could have turned on his heels and walked out the room, but He didn’t.
Listen: “That evening on the First day of the week, the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly Jesus was standing there among them! Peace be with you, he said” (John 20:19).
John 19:30
· Jesus was conscious of the accomplishment of His goal for which HE came into the World
A. “It is finished” had a meaning which was he had a purpose and a goal.
§ His goal was to save sinners
§ The angels announced it before He was even born (Matt. 1:21).
§ Christ Himself declared his goal (Matt. 18:11).
B. His own duty as the Second Peron of the Triune God was fulfilled toward the father.
1. Only he, being God, could sense such a consciousness of the fulfillment of His unique responsibility (John 17:1, 2)
2. He knew that His suffering was coming to an end and His glorification was drawing nigh (John 17:4, 5).
3. He revealed the Father to those to whom the Father gave Him from out of the world (John 17:6)
· The end of what men could do to Him Had come
A. What men did to Jesus was made possible by God’s permission (John 10:17, 18).
B. Jesus was living out the words that he had said in Matthew 10:28, “Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both the soul and body in hell.”
1. His enemies were able to kill His body but no more than that.
2. He was still in full control of his spirit (soul) which He personally delivered to God.
C. Jesus gave us the ultimate example of how to behave when we are suffering for his sake.
1. To be conscious of the fact that whatever others do to us, it is because God permits them to do it.
2. In the suffering imposed upon us, God fulfills His purpose for our lives.
3. It takes more than our own will to fulfill God’s purpose in our lives. It takes the evil accomplishments of others that affect our lives.
D. He does not give men the credit for finishing it, but he said, “It is finished” in the third person which makes it impersonal. Who finished it? It was not those who were crucifying Him but God using them, through what they were doing was indeed abominable, yet through the wrath of man, God was being praised and His purpose accomplished (Ps. 76:10).
· They outran the guards, but they couldn’t outrun His love. Neither can you.
(Conclusion):
No matter how fast and far you run, Jesus just says it’s all good, because he says that as long as I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me and every tongue shall confess to God. Jesus loves you, he has great plans for you, and if you’ll let Him He’ll redeem you and restore you!
