EASTER - 1999Text - John 20:10-31
Jesus had been with the disciples for three (3) years. He had taught them, Lived with them, traveled with them, Ministered with them. They did not fully understand what his ministry on earth was about. They had expectations that were not accurate.
In Luke's gospel we read the words of his disappointed disciples. Luke 24:21 (NIV) "but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place."
They were thinking that he would set up His kingdom here on this planet. They were hoping for the government to be overthrown. Jesus had taught about a kingdom and they had imposed their hope for an overthrow of the Roman government. We can't be too hard on them, we do the same thing!
Even with all of the input and teaching they panicked at His death. They lacked faith and it caused them to panic. The main problem the disciple has was they LOOKED TO THE PAST! It is a natural tendency to look back when we are afraid!
Let's look at some of their looking back and the panic attack.
First, They were crying - filled with sorrow!
John 20: "{11}Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb {12} and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. {13} They asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?" "They have taken my Lord away," she said, "and I don't know where they have put him."
We can feel Mary's (and the disciples') pain! We, too, sorrow when we loose a loved one!
Should they have know better?
Second, they feared!
Listen to verse 19 of John 20 "{19} On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!"
Their leader was now gone. He had taught things that were new and that did not always align with the religious leaders. They feared the Jews! It was now the third day and Jesus was gone! They feared!
Should they have been afraid?
Third, They doubted!
Look at verse 26 & 27 "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."
We have traditionally been hard on Thomas. We need to understand that Jesus had dealt with their doubting. All of them knew the paralyzing effects of panic. True, Thomas missed the first meeting where the doubt was dealt with. Today we are looking at the death and resurrection of Christ. We call it Easter.
As we look at the reaction of the disciples, we need to learn from them. They were guilty of looking back. We need to learn to look forward with faith. We need to learn to trust in the future, not the past. When Mary was sorrowful and in a panic Jesus helped her. Verse {16} "Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher)."
She was given instructions to go and tell the disciples. To those who were hiding behind closed doors: Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!"
To the doubters he says: (V 27) "...Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."
Where is your trust this morning?
Looking back is not the answer. Thank God that Jesus went to the cross. Thank God, also, that he arose and lives forevermore.
Looking forward with God is the answer.
Believe that because Christ died and rose, we can live for eternity.
Trust in God, not in the past, but NOW. TODAY!