Victory over death part 10

April 13, 2020

Remember Monday? Before the pandemic, a lot of people felt the drain of having to go back to work after a brief couple of days rest. 

Let me back up and cover one event that happened on the day Jesus was resurrected (Sunday).

Two men are walking to a small town near Jerusalem called Emmaus, it’s about seven miles. We find the account in Luke 24:13 – 34. The stage is set with these words, “They were talking to each other about everything that had happened. While they were discussing these things, Jesus himself arrived and joined them on their journey. They were prevented from recognizing him.” [Luke 24:14 – 15 CEB]

The idea of being “prevented” comes from the Greek word that is a “passive imperfect.” The “passive” shows us that they were acted upon, they did not act. The “imperfect” gives us a clue this was continuing something already happening. 

What prevented them from recognizing Jesus? I am so glad you asked!!! (Hint: The clues are in the text.)

There are a series of not understanding or believing. After Jesus asks them a second time what they were discussion we watch them explain three reasons why people are blinded.

1. They did not understand Jesus. “…They said to him, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth. Because of his powerful deeds and words, he was recognized by God and all the people as a prophet.” [Luke 24:19 CEB] These two were willing to understand Jesus as a prophet, but not as God.
2. They did not understand the nature of death. “But our chief priests and our leaders handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him.” [Luke 24:20 CEB] They thought death is the end.
3. They made it political. “We had hoped he was the one who would redeem Israel. All these things happened three days ago.” [Luke 24:21 CEB] The idea of a redeemer or deliverer (the Messiah/Christ) was based on politics.
4. They did not believe the eye witnesses. “But there’s more: Some women from our group have left us stunned. They went to the tomb early this morning and didn’t find his body. They came to us saying that they had even seen a vision of angels who told them he is alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women said. They didn’t see him.” [Luke 24 22 – 24 CEB]

Jesus’ rebuke strikes like a hammer on an anvil because Jesus intends to reshape our thinking. “Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! Your dull minds keep you from believing all that the prophets talked about.” [Luke 24:25 CEB] The “dull minds” comes from the Greek idiom “slow in heart.”  Literally Jesus says, they lack sense (foolish), and are stupid (slow to comprehend and act). Jesus could have left them blinded by their flawed thought process and hard hearts, but that is not His intentions for anyone.

With the care and accuracy necessary for the blacksmith to shape the metal to his will; Jesus proceeds to give them THE Bible lesson, “Then he interpreted for them the things written about himself in all the scriptures, starting with Moses and going through all the Prophets.” [Luke 24:27 CEB]

Later their eyes were opened. They recognized Jesus. They recognized there were signs before, “They said to each other, “Weren’t our hearts on fire when he spoke to us along the road and when he explained the scriptures for us?” [Luke 24:32 CEB]

Their errors: they reduced Jesus to a “just” a prophet (or a good teacher), they thought death was the end, they made it political, and they didn’t believe the witness given to them. (Did they just explain one or more reasons you do not believe in Jesus?)

If Jesus is the living God who has conquered death, there is everything to gain and nothing to lose by following Him. If Jesus is NOT the living God who conquered death, there is nothing to gain and everything to lose by rejecting Him.

Victory over death part 9

April 12, 2020

Sunday. The day after the Sabbath. Two days after Good Friday. This is the day Christians around the word celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.

When we use the word “empty,” generally we use it in the negative sense: empty fuel tank, empty wallet, empty stomach, empty house… but at Easter we remember an empty cross and an empty tomb. The cross is empty, Jesus has moved on to something much more glorious, much more challenging, much more personal.

The women went to the tomb expecting a body that had been crucified. What they found was an empty tomb. “But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.” [Matthew 28:5 ESV] It is interesting they went to care for the body without a plan for rolling the heavy stone away from the tomb. Matthew gives the impression that they witnessed an earthquake and an angel rolling the stone aside. They watched the guards, Roman soldiers, fall into a dead faint (see Matthew 28:4).

After the angel rolled the stone aside, he took up a casual pose, “And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it.” [Matthew 28:2 ESV] The angel is not at attention, nor is the angel flashing a sword to keep people away. Sitting is a relaxed posture. Almost as if to say, “Relax, everything is awesome.”

The angel starts with “do not be afraid.” Fear is common with humans. Fear is used to motivate and manipulate us. Don’t believe me? Just watch the news. It’s interesting the message from God is “do not be afraid.” Once we look past the fear, we will have a chance to see God at work.

Then the women are invited to see the empty grave. “He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.” [Matthew 28:6] Luke records the question, “… Why do you seek the living among the dead?” [Luke 24:6c ESV] It’s almost to say, you are looking in the wrong place. If you are looking for a dead Jesus, a grave is the natural choice. Problem is; today the tomb is empty!

The women are told, “Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him.” [Matthew 28:7 ESV] The first invitation was to “come and see.” Now they are told to “go and tell.” The knowledge of a living Jesus requires them to act, to obey, to give witness. 

The women obeyed, “So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him.” [Matthew 28:8 – 9] I do not think it is a coincidence that when they were on their way to tell others about the empty tomb; they meet the main character of their message. It seems obedience is the conduit to experiencing Jesus.

It’s one thing to have a dead Jesus. We can enjoy Jesus being dead because it focuses on God’s love. We can focus on believing as a matter of faith. It means we can go about life undisturbed because Jesus is not involved in life. The flaw in thinking this way is the disciples’ early message was Jesus crucified, risen, and coming again. Having a living Jesus is a very different thing. The crucifixion is only part of the story.

The real question is what do we do with the resurrection? Paul stated, “He was publicly identified as God’s Son with power through his resurrection from the dead, which was based on the Spirit of holiness. This Son is Jesus Christ our Lord.” [Romans 1:4 CEB] So if the resurrection is true, and it is, what are you going to do about it?

While the cross demonstrates God’s love; the empty tomb leads us into personal relationship with the living God. The empty tomb leads us to power in life. The empty tomb leads us to victory in life. This all looks forward to the eventual return of Jesus and the justice, cleansing, and renewal this world desperately needs.

Having a living Jesus means obedience. It means living a holy life in a depraved, dying, and decaying world.

Victory over death part 6

April 9, 2020

Today is Thursday, also called Maundy Thursday (among other names). Today I want to journey through some events recorded by John.

The story of the last week of Jesus earthly life begins in dramatic fashion. “The leading priests and Pharisees had given Judas a contingent of Roman soldiers and Temple guards to accompany him. Now with blazing torches, lanterns, and weapons, they arrived at the olive grove.” [John 18:2 NLT] The word translated “contingent” (“band” ESV and KJV, “detachment” NIV, “company” CEB] means, in Roman military language, 600 soldiers. They had the audacity to think crucifying Jesus was their idea!

John records a detail the other Gospel writers do not: “Then Simon Peter drew a sword and slashed off the right ear of Malchus, the high priest’s slave.’ [John 18:10 NLT] No other writer records Malchus’ name. John knew the man because he was “acquainted” with the High Priest (John 18:15 NLT). This also accounts for the access he and Peter had to the courtyard where Jesus was being tried. Can you imagine the High Priest’s thoughts every time he looked at Malchus? He would see Jesus reaching out to heal someone intent on His crucifixion.

Peter is asked three times if he is one of Jesus’ disciples. The woman watching the gate asks him first (John 18:16 – 17). As Peter is cozied up to the fire, someone around the fire asks if he is a disciple of Jesus (John 18:25). Finally a relative of Malchus asks if he saw Peter in the olive grove (John 18:26).  

Luke records what happens next in dramatic fashion, “But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly.” [Luke 22:60 – 63]

The rooster crowed, the Lord turned and looked at Peter, Peter remembered, and then Peter left “weeping bitterly.” Peter had claimed he would follow Jesus to the cross. Now in utter shame he slinks out of the line of fire. He knows the unwillingness to pick up a cross disqualifies him from being a follower of Jesus.

Matthew 27:3 records another emotional reaction from someone else who betrayed Jesus that night. “When Judas, who had betrayed him, realized that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse. So he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and the elders.” [NLT] In the English language “remorse” implies “repent.” But not in this case.

The result of the two men’s emotions were very different. Judas, still under the influence of Satan, hanged himself (Matthew 27:5) while Peter was restored (see John 21). Just because someone is sorry for, or feels bad about, does not lead to constructive change.

Or as Paul put it, “Godly sadness produces a changed heart and life that leads to salvation and leaves no regrets, but sorrow under the influence of the world produces death.” [2 Corinthians 7:10 CEB] Repentance means “a changed heart and life.” Judas, felt bad but acted inappropriately. Peter, felt bad but humbled himself and was restored by Jesus.

Some of us ignore the Bible’s warnings. We do what we are NOT supposed to do. We do NOT do what we are supposed to do. On top of the warning God also sends a rooster to send the alarm. This is the Holy Spirit bringing what is called “conviction.”

Next time you see your ear in a mirror, remember Jesus reaching out to heal one who would be His enemy. Next time you hear that “still small voice” that nags you when you cross the line or fail to behave the way God wants you too; remember God loves you. The question is, what are you going to do about it? A changed heart and life are the path to life.