My favorite resurrection story (and I would guess that it is for most) is found in Luke 24:13-35. It is the story of the two disciples, one named Cleopas (not a choice name for boys today) and the other unknown. They had seen the events on Friday and had had all their expectations dashed to the ground when Jesus was placed in the tomb. Like the crowds on Palm Sunday, we can get caught up in the moment and shout, “Hosanna, blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” They wanted finally to be free of their oppressors and have an identity again as a distinct people who could hold up their heads with national pride. The Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Persians, the Greek, and now the Romans oppressed them. It’s kind of like being a football fan and living in Detroit. They must wonder, “Are the Lions ever going to have a winning season?” (Is Jerry Jones ever going to stop trying to coach the Cowboys?) But Jesus did not come to kick out the Romans; He came to make us whole and holy. We want happiness, and He wants us whole. And that is far more satisfying and long-lasting then fickle happiness.
And so for these two disciples, the world has come crashing down. Yet it does not seem they had abandoned Jesus, for their hearts were still open. Now here is the part we love. Jesus shows up but keeps them from recognizing Him. And He plays dumb and asks them why they are so bummed out. They answer, “Like duh, where have you been? I mean, everyone knows about the prophet Jesus and all the good He did, but ‘the man’ delivered Him over to the Romans. We really thought that this time He was the one, but… What’s weird is that the women said they saw angels at the tomb, and His body is missing…”
Jesus not so gently rebukes them and takes them back to the Bible (always a good place to go back to when life is confusing) and shares with them His story from the Old Testament, or Hebrew scriptures. He acts like He is going on further when they come to Emmaus, so they urge Him to stay with them. They share a meal, and when Jesus breaks the bread, their eyes are opened (I love this!!!!). So let me give you a few quick lessons:
• It’s never good to finalize what has happened when you are discouraged or depressed. Friday was bad enough, the silence of Saturday is deafening and demoralizing. As many a preacher has said, “Sunday’s comin’!” God has His Sunday coming for us—new life, hope, and a renewed sense of His presence with us.
• We need to get to the place where we can let scripture speak to us through the working of the Holy Spirit. Let’s never forget that it is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword. Hone God’s word and make it a priority in your life for all you need in knowing Him and His ways.
• We can meet Jesus at His table in a powerful way if we come in faith. Holy Communion is a gift given to us by our Lord to experience in fresh ways forgiveness, spiritual strength, and an encounter with Him.
The early believers greeted each other this way: “Christ is risen!” “He is risen indeed!” Indeed He is—happy Easter!
2 comments:
I normally do not answer anonymous comments, especially when someone is venting, but you touch on a very important reason why we are being deliberate about what we are doing at Bay Harbour. On Easter and Christmas we have our largest crowds (Easter is double our average and Christmas is about 2 1/2 times the average). Every year, for the most part, they hear the Easter and Christmas story, but it does not transform their lives into followers of Jesus Christ. In many ways it does more harm than good. It gives them a false sense that they have done their religious duty when they are far from God and unprepared for eternity. We want to do more than give people warm and fuzzy religious feelings.
I, along with my staff have decided that it is vital to give them something that touches on a real need in their lives so that they will return. We want to help those who are far from God enter into a relationship with Jesus Christ with practical messages about a risen Lord who walks with us on the paths of life. We also hope that shallow followers of the Lord will renew their commitment to Him and get plugged back in to a faith community. Our mission is to grow and help others grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ.
The sad reality is that many are going to enter eternity unprepared. It is a horrible thought to think that some of our children, parents, spouses, friends and neighbors might miss out on heaven. We must regain a burden for people who are far from God. I am praying that God will move my heart and the heart of our members for people who do not know Him. In fact, I hope He breaks our hearts!
Also, someone has said that the church is the only organization that exist for the benefit of its non-members. Clubs exist for the members, but we are here for others. That is why we think the hallmarks of a growing relationship are a love for God, a love for others, and a desire to serve the world. When I say we do not want to play church I mean that we do not want to embrace the idea that many hold that church is not different from any other club. I mean we do not want to embrace a consumer mentality. Instead we want to follow Jesus and embrace His cross Luke 14:26-27).
What is funny is that I received a lot of positive comments about my message. A man in his eighties said it was my best and a young man who is going to be baptized with his two children said it clarified what he was going to do.
It saddens me greatly that you did not get the point and that you did not invited someone to come Sunday.
John, this is a very powerful message. I too fall into the camp of not appreciating the Easter sermon - sorry. But this message hits home. It is the story of how unworthy we are and how we have all strayed so far from where God wants us to be, yet Jesus suffered all the same for us. A humiliating death, for us all. Then for the one man next to him, to turn and ask Jesus if there is a place for him in heaven. A beautiful and moving story full of hope for all us sinners, wheather we come every week or twice a year. Just saying.
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