Do You Dare Believe? - John 20:19-31 - Second Week after Easter

 John 20:19-31 NIV

¹⁹ On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” ²⁰ After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

²¹ Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” ²² And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. ²³ If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

²⁴ Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. ²⁵ So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

²⁶ A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” ²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

²⁸ Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

²⁹ Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

³⁰ Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. ³¹ But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

 

 

Do You Dare Believe?

Are you convinced enough to believe the resurrection story? Are you willing to suffer for belief in the truth of the resurrection story? Are you willing to go beyond the story of it all and declare the truth of the resurrection? Think deep and hard about that. Look at the proof before your eyes. Hear the words of generations of witnesses before you. Make up your mind! True belief in the resurrection of Jesus will cost you your life. One way or another, if you believe, you will die.

Last week I heard one of the astronauts in space, as they were looking back at the earth and travelling to circle the moon, speak about how, even with the distance from the earth, he felt a unity with creation. That’s my huge paraphrase of what I thought I heard. Anyway, it made me think of how God created this universe and gave each of us a home to dwell in. God gives us all we need to live. Everything we need to live in His creation and with Him in His Kingdom, forever. And with that in mind, just a week after we celebrated the resurrection from the dead, of Jesus; how can I NOT praise God for all He has done?

Yea, well, I’ve not seen Jesus in the flesh and blood of which He came into this world thousands of years ago, however, I love Him. I’ve seen and read and heard so much about Jesus that I can’t help but to know Him, and believe that what He did is the real deal. Doesn’t make sense, does it? But, for me, I’ve got more than enough proof to last my lifetime; to know that what God has done in and through Jesus is real.

The disciples had good reason to be afraid. The disciples had not only run in the face of Jesus persecution, suffering and death; they were also targets of elimination just as Jesus was killed. Would they believe the women that they had seen Jesus? Would they go that far? Humanly I think we all can understand the fear. Life was going to change in profound ways for all of the disciples… one way or another.

Yet, as they gathered together, it’s like the first Sunday evening service of the church in some way. They gathered with much in common. They gathered in fear, probably doubt, and most likely confusion for what the future may hold. But they gathered, like a Sunday evening church gathering today.

And Jesus graces these disciples with His miraculous presence. Jesus shows Himself, without a doubt, to the disciples as risen from the dead. It’s amazing how Jesus came to them through a locked door. Did this mean that at some moment in time, Jesus had melded together the physical and the spiritual realms of being? Was Jesus, at some time, like one with the wood of the door? Was Jesus like bread and wine together with body and blood, all one. Was this a time of physical and spiritual presence all wrapped into one? Maybe… perhaps… but the fact is… here is Jesus… alive and risen from the dead, for all His disciples hiding behind a closed door to see. Jesus, right there in flesh and blood for all to see.

And the disciples were happy! Remembering what Jesus had told them earlier…

John 16:22 NIV

²² So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.

 

Talk about happy. What a change in emotion. From great fear to great joy. What a relief!

 

The resurrection is without a doubt the real deal. This is Jesus THE Messiah. And not only some made up story, some exaggeration, some trick of the mind; there right in front of their eyes, in flesh and blood, is Jesus. You can see Him, you can touch Him. This IS real!

 

And Jesus brings them peace. But there seems to be a twist in this peace. We now know that Jesus IS the Messiah, sent by the Father, but… but… what’s that He said again?

 

What’s this business about being sent, sort of like He was sent into the world? What does this mean?

 

Yet, first, Jesus breathes the breath of God upon the disciples. That breath of life. The Holy Spirit is given to his disciples. What does this mean?

 

Did the disciples recall some past prophetic teachings?

 

Joel 2:28-29 NIV

²⁸ “And afterward,
    I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
    your old men will dream dreams,
    your young men will see visions.
²⁹ Even on my servants, both men and women,
    I will pour out my Spirit in those days.

 

Is this that Spirit? Is this the prophecy fulfilled today?

 

Are we the sons and daughters, sent out?

 

Perhaps this is the day of a New Creation Story?

 

We heard Jesus forgive those people who had killed Him from the cross. So, what’s this stuff about us forgiving people? Boy oh boy, this just may be a really tall order to be obedient to uphold. How can we forgive these people?

 

And to think, that now Jesus gives us the authority to forgive! What’s that about?

 

Is forgiveness part of this Gospel lesson that Jesus has proclaimed to all the world. Even to those who killed Him?

 

So many questions. Joy, filled with questions and concerns of just what God has gotten us into abound for Jesus’ disciples. Even for us this present day and time!

Thomas wasn’t there with his disciple friends on the evening when Jesus appeared to them. Thomas wasn’t there to see Jesus alive and risen from the dead that Sunday evening. And neither was I. We give Thomas a bad rap when we declare him to be a doubting man, at least in my opinion. After all this same Thomas was the one willing to die with, and for, Jesus. Remember? Just a couple of weeks ago, when we were looking at Jesus raising Lazarus, when Jesus had just almost been killed by the people of Jerusalem, and now Jesus was ready to go back, just a couple of miles away from Jerusalem, to Lazarus’s home. Thomas was bold enough to want to go with Jesus and declare to his fellow disciples…

John 11:16 NIV

¹⁶ Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

 

I think we tend to forget this passion that Thomas had for Jesus.

 

Well Thomas hears the testimony of his fellow disciples about how they have seen Jesus! He is risen! But Thomas wants this experience for himself. Thomas wants the evidence to see and believe. Are we that different? I don’t think so. We want the DNA before we can believe. Yet, how’s that going to work?

 

So, as we listen to fellow disciples of this day testify to Jesus’ resurrection; is it that far of a stretch to not understand how others want a little proof as well, before they believe? Where are the wounds? Where are the scars? Show me some proof! Show me the DNA. Help me believe that what you say is true!

On the next Sunday, after Jesus’ resurrection, He shows up again. The disciples are still hiding in fear of all that may be happening to anyone who believes that Jesus has risen. And Jesus does it again; He moves through the physical realm of a locked door to the spiritual realm of coming to the disciples. And He comes in, to offer peace.

Doesn’t this cause you to think of worship gatherings on Sunday? Jesus comes to us in Word and Sacrament and offers His peace. Sure, we gather together, but Jesus comes to us. How great is that? Seems like God has been coming to His people all along. Do we notice this, or are we too busy being entertained by coffee, music and inspirational speeches?

And next, Jesus offers Thomas to touch Him. It’s a physical thing. Jesus comes to Thomas in his physical world and seeks Thomas’ touch of Jesus’ physical body.

Sunday, as we gather, Jesus comes to us physically as well. We can touch the Bread and the Wine; we can smell, touch and taste both elements. It’s a physical earthly element that is as real as real can be, yet it gives us a deeply spiritual touch from God as well.

Even in the physical waters of Baptism, that water is real stuff, yet with God’s Word and promise He gives us something deeply spiritual in His Spirit. The water and word combine to new life in God as He claims us as His own forever.

So, it’s really cool that Thomas is given the opportunity to touch and feel the wounds of Jesus.

And now Thomas knows that the resurrection is for real! He has seen God and touched Him and worships Him in no doubt whatsoever.

How I so look to today to sing, along with all the Host of Heaven and praise God as One…

Revelation 4:11 NIV

¹¹ “You are worthy, our Lord and God,
    to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
    and by your will they were created
    and have their being.”

 

And that’s not a future song… No! It’s a song for today… Like right here and right now… Go ahead and sing!

Some disciples have the opportunity to believe based on sight. Like the disciples at the time of Jesus presence with them in this passage of Scripture. But there are other of us disciples that come to believe through the trust of the accounts of witnesses. Or even the trust in what has been heard throughout time about Jesus’ resurrection. Both are legitimate paths to come to believe in Jesus’ resurrection. Both a legitimate and should not be in doubt. In either case, physical sight, or spiritual trust, as disciples, we can expect scrutiny from this world. Expect it, but don’t let that scrutiny deny your true belief in what God has done. For we live by faith. Go back in your devotional time and take a look at Hebrews chapter 11. All through time God’s people have been given the gift of faith in God, and it’s through this gift of faith that we come to believe in all the God has done to gather us back to Him through Him.

In this faith we have been given, we are fortunate to have written accounts of what God has done through Jesus, even after His resurrection from the dead, and beyond, to even today. All actions of God that lead us into communion with Him and one another into eternity. That’s so great! My puny words fail to express how great that is…

And why did all of these witnesses testify to Jesus’ life? So that we may believe! So that we may have life in Jesus’ name. Wow!

So, how could you NOT dare to believe?

As an astronaut looks back on the earth from miles away, in the deep depth of space, he sees a world. A world from which he has been separated, yet he feels a communion. A communion with the earth, with people, with God and with the universe. He sees and believes in a unity with mankind. And to think, all this we see, all this the astronaut can observe, are physical. Yet the feelings he has is spiritual. Pause and consider that all of this is NOT the finality of it all. Jesus WILL come again, to raise to NEW LIFE all those who believe, to be with Him forever and ever in a NEW, perfect creation, without the stain of my sin, to live with Him and all believers forever and ever. How can this be? Only through God. Only through God’s forgiveness, grace, and love, which He freely gives to all who accept the gift of faith and believe in Him… today… tomorrow… and forever.

How could you NOT dare to believe?

Thanks be to God!

I leave you with this YouTube Music Video. I must admit… this one got to me… enjoy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzT26YVEr24&list=RDQzT26YVEr24&start_radio=1

Now I Have Told You - Matthew 28:1-10 - Resurrection of Our Lord

 

Matthew 28:1-10 NIV

28 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

² There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. ³ His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. ⁴ The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

⁵ The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. ⁶ He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. ⁷ Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

⁸ So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. ⁹ Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. ¹⁰ Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

Now I Have Told You

You know what? As many disciples and witnesses that have seen the risen Jesus, and as the disciples have been commanded to proclaim the Gospel and to testify that Jesus is the one who God appointed as judge of the living and the dead, and as the prophets told about everyone who believes in Jesus receives forgiveness of sins through Jesus; we too, today are likewise commanded, by extension, to witness to Jesus resurrection and gift of life, in and through all that He has done. And that’s for, and to, ALL people. No favoritism or privilege… ALL means ALL.

May I always keep my eyes on Jesus, my Lord, my Savior.

And there it is. What Jesus has been teaching all along. Set your minds on above. Don’t get caught up in the desires of the flesh and this world. Set your minds on things that are above, not earthly things.

These women, Mary Magdelene, and likely Mary the mother of James and John, were without a doubt faithful disciples of Jesus. They got up first thing on Sunday and went to the tomb of Jesus. This shows deep love and devotion. They came to seek Jesus, after the Sabbath rest, and now the Sunday that would from here on out be called the “Lord’s Day.” This is the day of the firstfruits of those who have died.

1 Corinthians 15:20 NIV

²⁰ But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

 

We now witness the morning of a New Creation. We witness the Resurrection. We witness a hope that God has given to ALL people. Something BIG, something NEW is here and now, even to this day.

An earthquake here is a significant event. God is active in the physical realm with spiritual action. Just look. An angel, a messenger is sent to the tomb, doing a physical activity like rolling the stone away from the tomb. It’s kind of like when the Temple Curtain was torn at Jesus crucifixion, that is this rolling of the stone. At the tearing of the curtain, God opened the Holy of Holies to Himself and all humankind. Jesus had defeated sin on that cross. Where here too, God rolls away the stone through the action of the angel and the tomb is now open. Now death is defeated by the resurrection of God and new life is open to all people who believe what God has done. God reveals His love on the cross and opens the Holy of Holies to His creation, and God reveals His love at the tomb and opens death to new life in Him.

And the action of this angel of God makes him appear bright as lightning. Does this remind you of the Transfiguration Story?

When we had a solar eclipse a couple of years ago, I remember having to use special glasses to watch it because of the brightness of the sun. I suspect this light was much brighter. I suspect this was possibly an example of the Light of Christ. Light so bright that we can’t stand to look at it with our human eyes.

So, the guards who were sent to secure and guard Jesus’ tomb, fell in fear. This is something that obviously reveals an action of God. Yet this was just the angels! Think of how bright the Light of God in Jesus would be! It’s no wonder that these guards became like dead men. The contrast between light and Light was too great to behold. This IS the power of God!

The angel knows what’s going on here. The angel knows that the women are looking for Jesus. So what? Well, He’s not there. It happened! It happened just like Jesus said it would.

Come and take a peek at where Jesus was laid in the tomb. See? He’s gone!

See, I have told you! Jesus has risen from the dead. Now run and go and tell. Tell the world. Yep, that’s a running and telling for all the disciples throughout all time. Run and tell the world, from your friends, family and all people, run and tell that Jesus has risen from the dead!

Now in these women the Kingdom of God is evident. In the physical fear and in the spiritual fear. Something is new here. A physical fear must be evident, in my way of thinking, when we see the power of God in the beauty and brightness of the Angel Messenger. And also, the spiritual fear, this is something a bit different. It’s a fear of seeing something beyond this physical world, or this physical kingdom that permits humans to peer into the Kingdom of God, here physically and eternally with God.

Even in the face of physical fear, these women bear the fruit of spiritual faith to run and tell of the message of the empty tomb, the message of the angel, the message of God’s power over death.

And that’s when it happens! Jesus comes to the women! Jesus comes to us, in His resurrected body to prove, without a doubt, that He IS the Savior, of not only the physical but the spiritual as well. Jesus is the Kingdom of God. It’s through what God has done in and through the flesh and blood of Jesus that the Kingdom of God comes to us, forgives us, saves us, and leads us into a resurrection of New life in Him forever and ever.

God has come to us. Yes, God comes to us, in the flesh and blood of a baby. And God comes to us as a risen Saviour, even as we are running to tell the world what we have witnessed. God comes to us and we run to witness what God has done in our lives.

What’s the response? To fall at the feet of our Savior and worship Him. To fall at the feet of Jesus and seek union with him in time now and eternity forever. We owe all to God, and respond to His love with love for Him.

And Jesus gives us something to do next. We want, so badly to do something, anything, for what God has done for us, and Jesus gives us that something to do. Jesus gives us a way to be obedient to Him and to God throughout time. Go and tell what you see! Go and tell what you feel! Witness to Jesus resurrection to all people. Go and tell, what the angel told you, Jesus has risen! Death no longer holds power over flesh and blood.

It’s time we put behind us all of our attempts to fulfill our salvation, through earthly kingdoms, power, riches, military might and strength. We can’t save ourselves. Look at what has happened throughout history, powers and kingdoms come and go. When a mighty kingdom does rise to power, greed, and might, always lose out and is replaced by more of the same. That’s that physical realm that Jesus has been teaching us about. Our physical realm leads to death. Our physical realm of life leads to defeat. We can’t beat this stuff on our own. And when we think we can, by using riches, power, and strength, it always fails. So, what’s all of this to do with the Resurrection of our Lord?

Jesus came into our physical realm of being. He didn’t come in as the rich, powerful, almighty person that this physical world was seeking. He didn’t come into this world to confirm the rich, the powerful and the mighty.

Jesus came into this physical realm meek, hungry, and hard working. Jesus came into this world to the persecuted, the homeless, the poor, the hungry, the ill, the powerless. Jesus also came to boldly tell the rich, the powerful, the mighty and the nations that lord over all others their might; that this world is not what you think it is. This world is a stopping place, a place to learn to love one another, especially the poor, the hungry, the migrant, the ill. This physical world is an in-between place where the REAL thing is the spiritual world of the Kingdom of God. Jesus came to fulfill all of this for us, so that we, who believe and depend on Him can live with Him into eternity. Jesus defeated sin at the cross and forgave. Jesus defeated death in the tomb and rose again. Why?

To lead us into His Kingdom into eternity, so that in His New World to come He might raise us to life in Him, with Him in eternity.

Nope! We can’t save ourself. We can’t defeat sin ourself. We can’t come to a resurrection on our own, not by wealth, not by power, not through earthly kingdoms that come and go. Rather only through the gift God gave to us through the forgiveness of sin from the cross of Jesus. Through Jesus releasing us from the power of sin, here and now and then forever. Through Jesus defeat of death, as we recall this glorious day when He rose from death. Death has lost its sting. Lost its sting because of what God has done for His children through Jesus’ actions.

Now I Have Told You…

It’s time we go and tell the world!

The time is now, to get it straight. We only live through the Actions of Jesus… today… tomorrow… and forever… Amen

Enjoy this YouTube Music Video that Celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus

Christ the Lord Is Risen Today

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNrV2fX5Qb4&list=RDxNrV2fX5Qb4&start_radio=1

Look! - John 12:12-19 - The Celebration of Palm Sunday

 

John 12:12-19 NIV

¹² The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. ¹³ They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,

“Hosanna!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Blessed is the king of Israel!”

¹⁴ Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written:

¹⁵ “Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion;
    see, your king is coming,
    seated on a donkey’s colt.”

¹⁶ At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him.

¹⁷ Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. ¹⁸ Many people, because they had heard that he had performed this sign, went out to meet him. ¹⁹ So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!”

Look!

Jesus, following the Father’s plan of salvation, sets his face “like flint,” to ride on in majesty to His rejection, suffering, death, resurrection and ascension. It was a tough and hard plan to carry out, but out of love, and for our sake; Jesus rode into His passion. Thank you, Lord Jesus!

Yes, Jesus! You ARE my God!

Draw me away from my selfish pride. From pride that exalts myself over and above my neighbor. Teach and give me a humble heart to serve and love You and my neighbor always.

Do we really expect Jesus to return to this earth? Or do we just like to live in the here and now and ignore the idea that Jesus will return again? Many people either don’t believe this will happen or choose to deny the possibility that Jesus’ return could happen at any time. This thinking even invades the minds of those who claim Christianity. It’s not a serious thought. Or is it? Should it be? Do present day disciples yearn for Jesus’ return, like right now? Or are we too involved with present day desires and life? These questions pop into my mind quite often. For me? I want Jesus to return right this moment, if that is God’s plan. If not, then may God keep me ready and prepared and willing to act out in His love for all the world around me. But, that’s a tall order. Why? Because I fail all the time. So, I ask God to help and guide me along the way.

Here in this passage the Jews had heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. Jesus had just been to the home of Lazarus, Martha and Mary. This was a dinner to honor Jesus. Mary, even anointed Jesus’ feet with some expensive ointment that was perfumed beautifully. Well, a crowd figured out Jesus was there and gathered to see Jesus and Lazarus, whom Jesus has just raised from the dead. Talk about a different kind of “stink!” The chief priests were none too happy with this gathering. People were beginning to put their faith in Jesus.

So, now a large crowd had come together for the Feast of the Passover. They had heard that Jesus was on his way from Bethany to Jerusalem. This distance was only a couple of miles. Jesus coming to Jerusalem, now, since His ministry was widespread and famous, was a big deal. Jesus is coming! They welcomed Jesus with honor and glory shouting Hosanna! In other words, they were shouting for Jesus to save them.

Well, hmmm… Sometimes, even today, perhaps we shout for Jesus’ return to save us from ourselves. But, is that a selfish ambition? Sure, Jesus comes to save us from ourselves, but why? Does Jesus save us because He wants to meet our demands? Does Jesus save us out of His pity? Why does God want to save us, and why do we think we deserve to be saved?

It’s one thing to worship God… It’s one thing to honor Jesus… but it’s also another thing to do this out of selfish wants and desires. So, what’s behind this praise and worship, yesterday and today? What’s behind this Palm Sunday event? Are we perhaps the focus of this event? Or is God the focus of this Palm Sunday return, or even Jesus’ return as we wait for Him today?

Ponder these words from John as he writes from the island of Patmos…

Revelation 7:9-10 NIV

⁹ After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. ¹⁰ And they cried out in a loud voice:

“Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.”

 

Salvation belongs to God…

You see, it’s not about you or me. It’s about God and what God wants and desires. This is God in action and at work for His desires. Sure, it may fulfill my wants and needs, but this is God’s action, not mine. This is God’s victory! This is God’s Palm Sunday, as all Palm Sundays belong to God.

Jesus chooses a donkey? Why not a powerful horse? A donkey exudes arriving in peace. A horse proclaims power and might. Isn’t Jesus to be a powerful King? A king that will defeat all of the enemies of the Roman Empire. A king that will take control of the religious leaders and set things straight. But here Jesus comes in peace on a donkey. Just how is this kind of king going to help me out. The poor and over-worked people of that day and of this day too, already know humility. We don’t need peace! We need power and strength and might! But here Jesus is, coming in peace on a donkey. Sure, let’s offer praise and thanks. Afterall, look at what Jesus has already done in His ministry. Look at His teachings. Look at His healings. It’s all evidence that Jesus is in position to make things right for me and for you. It’s all evidence that Jesus is here to meet our wants and desires, and to raise us up out of poverty and hard work and illness. Didn’t Jesus arrive to meet our needs? Isn’t that what a Messiah is supposed to do?

We are not to be afraid. Haven’t we heard this theme of “no fear” so many times before? We especially hear the angels sent by God, proclaiming a significant event where God meets us with a message, to not fear. Honestly, as Jesus arrives in peace on a donkey, I’m a bit afraid. I’m a bit afraid that this approach by God in the face of the powerful Roman government and the soldiers nearby, just won’t work at all. I’m afraid that this is going to result in failure. This seems to be a very humble statement, or prophecy for the arrival of a king for all eternity. In my humanness, I just don’t get it. I just don’t think this is going to fly!

Jesus has been teaching us these past several weeks about the physical world verses the spiritual world and how they interact. Maybe the word Kingdom would be a better choice here than world. As I witness Jesus’ riding into Jerusalem, humble and on a donkey, I can’t help but to think of the physical aspect of what is happening. Perhaps the response, unbeknownst to the people is a spiritual response. And yet maybe also a physical response to what the people deem as their wants and desires for Jesus’ rule in the world. As I reflect upon what is about to take place in Jesus’ life and mission, I must realize the absolute physical realm of humanity that Jesus is about to endure. Physical in that He WILL suffer, He WILL die on a cross. He WILL be placed in a tomb. That’s about as physical as one can get! Yet, Jesus leads me on to see the spiritual side of this also. Even though I desire a physical answer to the problems of my life and this world, Jesus’ ultimate mission is leading me towards His spiritual Kingdom of God. That’s way beyond what I expect, or probably what any of the people praising Jesus as He enters Jerusalem expect. So, yea, Jesus is once again teaching and leading us from this physical world, to the spiritual Kingdom of God throughout eternity. But we need both the physical and the spiritual Kingdoms together in Jesus.

So, what about you and me? Do we see what Jesus has done, the miracles He has performed and testify to the world? Do we run to the parade to see Jesus? Why?

If our testimony is of God, then we run to the parade, not because of His miracles, no. Not to testify what Jesus can do for us. Why not?

Its’s the action of God in Jesus through miracles that reveal to each one of us the glory of God. We are called to something deeper than this physical realm, the physical Kingdom of God. We are called and given a deeper faith. We seek Jesus at the parade because God points to Jesus as THE Messiah. So, we are called to witness to what Jesus has done in our lives and to proclaim the Good News of God’s Action through Jesus.

So, here and all of our life we run out and testify. We testify what God has done, “Pointing to Jesus” all lifelong.

And it’s this testimony of what God is doing through Jesus that terrifies the Pharisees of Jesus day. And that testimony terrifies the rulers of this day as well. This parade is not about God meeting the needs of the people, making them rich, powerful, and strong. This parade is about showing what God’s action will be FOR His children because it’s His choice.

As Jesus faces the harsh reality of this physical realm, this physical world to face persecution, punishment, torture, and a gruesome death; He draws the world into Himself to give us a spiritual realm called the Kingdom of God. Jesus is King of both the physical and the spiritual Kingdom for sure, but He takes on the physical in His very own flesh and blood, to give us His spiritual Kingdom starting here and now, and going on forever into eternity.

So, does this mean, we will have a cakewalk in our testimony? Can we sit in our airconditioned churches with coffee in hand and sing praises to God to like believers? Can we idly sit by and watch the show as the band and the preacher talk on about how great we have it?

I think not. Look at the lives of those who proclaimed the Gospel after Jesus’ Ascension into heaven. All of the Apostles were killed, except for maybe John and he was on an island. Paul wandered about all over the place. But it wasn’t a cruise. It was hard travel and persecution and imprisonment for revealing what God has done through Jesus and the Gospel.

Do you think, as a disciple of Christ that you could likewise be rich and powerful? Do you really think that is what Jesus died for? We are very fortunate in our modern day that we have multiple ways to proclaim the Gospel from within our own comfort zones. But that’s not how the Gospel is spread all over the world. For some, standing up to testify is a danger, possibly leading to death.

But here is the thing, Jesus faces the physical evils of the world, so that, He could offer to all who believe in Him, both a physical and a spiritual Kingdom of God. One that goes beyond what is here and now. Jesus faced into the physical and gifted us with the ability to face the physical world in which we live, in the hope and joy of the sure reality of the Kingdom of God that exists throughout all time and space.

There is coming a new heaven and a new earth, made like the heaven and the earth that was always intended before our selfish pride ruined the earth we live in with sin and death. How did that happen? Well, that was OUR Action. Here in this parade, God IS acting once again. Acting in ways that are hard and maybe impossible for us to understand, but God IS ACTIVE. And in this action of God in the Messiah Jesus, we have all the reason in the Kingdom of God to give praise and adoration and shout enthusiastic HOSANNA! GOD SAVE US! … today… tomorrow… and forever! So, come to the parade; LOOK and see what God has done! Thanks be to God!

I leave you with this YouTube Music Video that I enjoyed listening to this past week…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koMY_04gzag&list=RDkoMY_04gzag&start_radio=1

Dead Ain't Dead - Come Out! --- John 11:1-53 - Fifth Week of Lent

 

John 11:1-53 NIV

11 Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. ² (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) ³ So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”

⁴ When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” ⁵ Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. ⁶ So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, ⁷ and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”

⁸ “But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?”

⁹ Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. ¹⁰ It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.”

¹¹ After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.”

¹² His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” ¹³ Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.

¹⁴ So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, ¹⁵ and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”

¹⁶ Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

¹⁷ On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. ¹⁸ Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, ¹⁹ and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. ²⁰ When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.

²¹ “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. ²² But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”

²³ Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

²⁴ Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

²⁵ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; ²⁶ and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

²⁷ “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

²⁸ After she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” ²⁹ When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. ³⁰ Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. ³¹ When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.

³² When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

³³ When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. ³⁴ “Where have you laid him?” he asked.

“Come and see, Lord,” they replied.

³⁵ Jesus wept.

³⁶ Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”

³⁷ But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”

³⁸ Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. ³⁹ “Take away the stone,” he said.

“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”

⁴⁰ Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

⁴¹ So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. ⁴² I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”

⁴³ When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” ⁴⁴ The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.

Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

⁴⁵ Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. ⁴⁶ But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. ⁴⁷ Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin.

“What are we accomplishing?” they asked. “Here is this man performing many signs. ⁴⁸ If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation.”

⁴⁹ Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all! ⁵⁰ You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.”

⁵¹ He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, ⁵² and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. ⁵³ So from that day on they plotted to take his life.

Dead Ain’t Dead-Come Out!

Lord, breathe your Holy Spirit into my dry bones, connect me securely in Your grace, that I may rise, hear Your voice, read Your Word, and live a new life in You. Bring me from death to life in you.

I’m deep and buried in the depths of my sin. I need you, Jesus! I need you to pull me out of this tomb in which I live. This tomb of my sinfulness. I need you, Jesus! Call me to your Light and raise me up. I need you, Jesus!

My body will die, no doubt, at least if Jesus doesn’t return first. My body is subject to death because of my sin, but Jesus came to be sin for me, that in him I might live through the Spirit of God and become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

This is a time just before Jesus would suffer and be crucified.

Bethany was a small town just a couple of miles from Jerusalem. Not very far at all. Martha and Mary were a couple of Jesus’ disciples. Martha had a heart full of service, and Mary was a devotional type of person. Both were compliments, to what a disciple is and could be throughout time. And Lazarus, this Lazarus, is only mentioned in the Gospels here. Lazarus is sick at this moment. He’s not the same Lazarus, the beggar, in the account of the great chasm between himself and the rich man, commonly spoken of, named Dives.

Jesus response to the illness of Lazarus, illustrates His knowledge and understanding of God’s will in His life for this particular situation. He’s not in a panic. Really, death, to Jesus, is no reason to panic. Sort of seems strange, but when you think about Jesus as the Author of Life, what’s death? Jesus knows God’s timing after all.

And this slowness to act on Jesus’ part, does not mean that He doesn’t have a deep love for Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Jesus does love all of them. Jesus loves them very deeply.

It’s not that Jesus is afraid to go back to Judea, it’s not that He’s worried about a small trip. It seems to me that Jesus is, once again, going to carry out God’s will in this situation, that will lead Him towards the plan for all creation. We’ll get to that meaning, as we go along in this Gospel account.

And then, Jesus, speaking of Lazarus illness, tells His disciples that Lazarus has fallen asleep. Well, Mary, Martha, and those close to them, understand and witness that Lazarus is dead. But what is dead to us, may not seem like dead to Jesus.

But this sleep that Jesus is speaking of IS death. The disciples presumed that if Lazarus was sleeping, it wasn’t death and he would heal and get better. There’s something more brewing in this pot!

Once again, as in the past few weeks; Jesus is leading us along and teaching us about physical verses spiritual things. He’s helping us to understand a deeper meaning to our relationship with God as believers.

Finally, Jesus makes it plain and simple. Lazarus is dead!

But dead ain’t dead to Jesus. So, Thomas figured that going back to the dangers of Judea would surely be the death of Jesus as well. And it was, sort of. But remember, once again, to Jesus, dead ain’t dead.

When Jesus and His disciples arrive to Mary, Martha, and family; Lazarus was good and dead. Like four days gone! Stinky dead!

They arrived to Bethany. Now Bethany was only a couple of miles from Jerusalem. Jesus had just been to Jerusalem for the Feast of Dedication, and He made the Jews so mad at Him, for witnessing that His work was God’s work, that they ran Him out of town and tried to stone Him to death. So, you can see why going back that close to Jerusalem was why His disciples feared for Jesus’ life. Surely this time, this close, the Jews would take care of Jesus and kill Him. Remember, that the people that came to console Martha and Mary were Jews also. Maybe including a few of the same Jews that ran Jesus out of town.

As Martha went to meet Jesus, she believed in Jesus. She had faith enough to believe that if Jesus had been there a bit earlier, He would have healed her brother, Lazarus. But that’s not what is going on here. Jesus knows that a bigger plan is taking place. Lazarus will rise again… and then again. But who can grasp that idea! Even if you believe, you think it’s “one and done,” but in this case that will not be true.

Think of your Baptism… How you went under the waters. Think about living your own baptism, day after day. Each day, you go under the waters, to die to sin, and rise to new life with God, in and through His forgiveness and grace. Keep that image in the back of your mind here.

Let’s go on… Martha displays her faith in the “resurrection of the dead,” on the last day. But it’s not that time just yet. And Jesus points out this distinction and difference between this coming act, and the fact that Jesus IS, or better yet I AM the resurrection and the life. If you believe, remember, dead ain’t dead to Jesus. If you believe, even though you die, you will live through what Jesus does for you, me, and the world. There’s that physical to spiritual meanings that Jesus has been teaching all along.

Do you believe in Jesus?

And Jesus keeps calling us out. Here it’s Martha… Do you believe in Jesus? If so, say so! Not only do you believe in Jesus, but do you believe He is the Messiah, like He says He is?

And the first thing Martha does, is call out her sister Mary. Come and see Jesus. He is here. That’s a witness of faith.

As Mary comes out to see Jesus, He has compassion on her and weeps with her in her grief. Jesus knows how it is to feel human too. Jesus knows emotions and understands our deepest needs and desires, especially in our love for one another. And in this case in our mourning over the death of a dear brother.

And with this is my favorite memory verse of the Bible. It’s an easy one to remember. John 11:35, “Jesus wept.” There is a deep connection with us there. Jesus knows how it is. It’s so much more than two words. It’s a relationship with Jesus on an intimate level, that shows deep love.

But next comes doubt. We all tend to let some doubt enter into a deep emotion. Is this real or not? Well, it’s real! But the crowd shows their doubt. Why couldn’t Jesus have been here on time? He can heal the blind, but He can’t show up in time to heal a good friend of His? Come on, Jesus! We doubt and we judge. That’s me too. How many times have I second guessed some action of God, or some action of another person? There’s more to this than what we obviously see here.

Remember that Jesus was truly human. He had human emotions and knew pain. Jesus knows the pain and sorrow over the death of a loved one.  Yet Jesus has authority over sin and death. In this He can boldly state to move the stone away from the cave that held Lazarus body. God is action here. God is acting in His power over death, that brings hope to all believers who die, trusting in God and God alone for life, ever-lasting life, in God’s Kingdom, forever.

And as the blind man can attest, faith in Jesus goes beyond death. First, we have faith, then we have sight; sight to see the “Light of God” in Christ Jesus. And in this as always, Jesus shows us how to pray with thankful hearts. There is a miracle of God happening here. We pray and yes, God acts. Sometimes God acts with miracles. And Jesus models a prayer, not for self, as we often do, but for those around Him. Why? So that they may see, have open eyes, and witness God in action.

And in the face of death from an open tomb, Jesus issues a command. Jesus has power over death. This is a pre-shadowing of Jesus own resurrection to come. Jesus commands for Lazarus to “Come out!” Now, Jesus issues a second command to unwrap Lazarus and release him from the bondage of death.

And that’s what Jesus does for all who use the faith God gives, to believe in Jesus. Jesus releases believers from the bondage of death. See, hear and believe it. This IS a miracle to bring you to believe in the power of God in Jesus over sin and death. Do you see it? Jesus restores the community of believers to a NEW Life in Him. As we raise day after day from the waters of our baptism, we are brought, and restored to New Life in God. The stench of our sin and death is gone.

Talk about a gathering of some people to witness a miracle! This group of Jews were likely friends of Martha, Mary and Lazarus, but it may be some others came also to be official mourners. Mourners were common in this day and time. But even after witnessing this miracle, word would quickly spread. That’s what it’s like. So, there is some great importance in our witness to how God is active in our lives, even in miracles which we may not realize as being miracles. There are miracles all around us, but these God given miracles are real miracles, not just some great thing that happens.

At the heart of some testimonies is the need to go and tell some people that may or may not be offended. So, of course, some of the witnesses were really more like gossipers, and run to tell the religious authorities, to warn them, or to get them involved for really no good reason, other than they may be skeptical of the miracle they just witnessed.

So, when the Chief priests and the Pharisees get word of this miracle that Jesus performed, they feel threatened that they just may lose face, or power, or influence over their followers. This miracle becomes a threat to them that they must deal with the consequences.  They fear losing control of the people and that people will leave their own influence and power over them, to follow Jesus instead. It’s important to realize that our own control over a situation, pales in comparison to the true truth and power of God over all situations. Don’t struggle over power with God. Instead, stand in awe of God’s power and praise Him in all His works, giving thanks. Some things are in God’s ultimate plan and salvation, not yours. You can’t save yourself anyway.

And here, Caiaphas takes a dangerous stand publicly, and fails to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. Or does he really? Caiaphas was willing to compromise, in order to attempt to maintain his power and authority over the people and his colleagues. Oh, how it’s easy to give in to the truth when one’s pride gets in the way. I’m guilty here as well. Forgive me, Lord Jesus!

And in Caiaphas statement that it be better that one man die than for the whole Jewish nation to perish, Caiaphas lays down a judgment against God’s very own plan of salvation for all people of this world, in what was soon to take place in Jesus’ suffering, death, resurrection and ascension, that will save all who come to believe in His forgiveness and grace, in His defeat of sin and death.

So, from that day on, the religious leaders plotted to kill Jesus. Lord, save us from such prideful judgment and actions. Forgive us our sins.

So, what do I make of this week’s study of this passage of Scripture?

God has a plan, and will carry out that plan. It’s a plan that I could never imagine if I were present in that day and time. I give thanks for the witnesses to what happened here and those that recorded this miracle of God in Jesus. Yet, having the testaments of these people of the past, I can see how God is active over death. Death is not the end. My sin points me to the fact that I need a Savior to forgive me, release me from death and to raise me to new life in Him.

I recall that day after day, I fall to sin. I die to my sinful self and lose all hope. Yet, in the same way, day after day, as through my baptism, God claims my dead self, and raises me up. Yes, God calls me out of the tomb in which I belong, each day, to give me life and give me spiritual gifts to go out. “Billy, come out!” That’s the cry I hear from the Voice that bids me to begin anew each day. Come out and bear the fruit with which I have had you bear. Come out to do God’s will. Will I hear that will of God? Surely so, I pray.

So, just as Jesus defeated sin on the cross, and just as Jesus defeated death in His resurrection, He calls me, and all disciples who believe in Him, to new life, in new ways, to serve Him in His Kingdom, here on earth and in heaven forever.

So, “COME OUT!” We have work to do. We have work to do in the joy of what Jesus has done for us… today… tomorrow… and forever. Thanks be to God!

May you enjoy this YouTube Music Video that I reflected upon this last week…

“Come Out Lazarus!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hw5T2NvbSnI&list=RDhw5T2NvbSnI&start_radio=1