NOW DO YOU BELIEVE?
John 20:19-31
We
celebrated Easter last Sunday. What Jesus came to earth to accomplish in the
form of a man had been completed. Jesus had changed the world forever. Jesus
came to earth to be the ultimate, once and for all sacrifice. Since the days of
Moses in Egypt, sacrifices--blood sacrifices--were required at appointed times
to cover the sins of man. Jesus became the blood sacrifice that made the other
sacrifices unnecessary. Jesus also died for those who did not believe. That
love, that mercy, that grace, continues to this day.
What we read
today is a continuation of what we read last Sunday. The women found the
disciples and told them what the angel had said as well as what Jesus said and that
they would see Jesus in Galilee. So here we are, most of the disciples in a
place with the doors locked, afraid the Jews are coming after them. When out of
nowhere Jesus is in the room with them. Can you imagine if we were here at
church or at home with all the doors locked, no one else has the keys and
suddenly someone, whom everyone knew was not in the room, was there? Jesus told
the disciples the only thing he could say, “Peace be with you.” I cannot help
but think they instantly knew it was Jesus. As impossible and unlikely as it
could be, it was Jesus there with them again. To prove it to them, he showed
the disciples his hands and side. In spite of the fact Jesus had risen from the
dead, the evidence of his brutal and unjustified death remained. We see the disciples were overjoyed. In spite
of Jesus’ best efforts to explain what was going to happen and why, the
disciples just had not got it, but there Jesus was, just as real and alive as
he ever was. Once again Jesus assured them with the words, “Peace be with you”
and then he took it a step further. Jesus reminded them that now it is your
turn. You will take the message of God’s love, mercy, grace and justice to the
people. Jesus also told them you will have power that you do not have a clue
about that will allow you to accomplish God’s mission. God’s wisdom and power
will help them do what is ahead of them.
As it turned
out one of the eleven was not in that room when Jesus suddenly appeared. Thomas
was apparently somewhere else. When the other disciples caught up with him and
told him what had happened, he said that all sounds good but unless I see Jesus
myself and get proof it is really him, I will not believe.
We read in
the 26th verse it had been one week since Jesus had risen from the
grave and talked with the disciples. In other words, it was this very day all
those years ago. The disciples were back at the same house they were at one
week earlier, but this time Thomas was there with them. Again, the doors were
locked so no uninvited guests could get in when Jesus suddenly appeared. Jesus
knew what Thomas had been thinking. After all, Jesus is God. Jesus instantly
went over to Thomas and said, “Put your finger here in the holes in my hands.”
Jesus then said, “Put your hand here,” pointing to his side. Instantly, out of
both embarrassment and joy, Thomas said, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus did not
scold Thomas. He simply made a very blunt statement, “You believe because you
have seen. Blessed are those who have never seen yet believe.” You and me, we
are those in the second category. Believers from that time forward are in a
special category. While some of us have had our own unique experience with the
risen Savior, very few claim to have seen Jesus in the flesh.
The verses
we read this morning close out this way. Beginning with the 30th
verse, we are told by John that Jesus performed many other miraculous signs
while he was with the disciples. John goes on to say while not all miracles are
recorded, the ones that have been recorded are so we will believe. Believe
Jesus is the Christ and know if we accept all those things that have been
recorded and recognize Jesus died for our sins, we, like Jesus, will also have
eternal life. All of the things we have read about over the last several weeks
was not only for the benefit of disciples, it was written down for your benefit
and mine. Jesus is alive. By God’s grace, we are forgiven. God has made you and
me and all who will believe part of his family. May we live like the victorious
people God has made us to be. Over 2000 years ago after Jesus was crucified
Thomas said he would not believe until he sees Jesus face to face and sees his
hands and side.
The question
for you and me God is asking is, “Now do you believe?” If you are saying I am
just not sure, what is it going to take? Jesus is still changing lives. I am
convinced most of you here in the sanctuary and most watching on Facebook have
been changed by the power of God through Jesus Christ. For those who may be
still unsure, I just want to remind you we serve a risen Savior. God’s love is
never ending. Let Jesus into your life. For those who know Jesus as Savior,
keep hanging in there. The same power that transformed the disciples into the
greatest evangelists the world has ever known, the power the Holy Spirit gives,
is living in you and me today. Agree with me today, Lord Jesus, yes, we
believe!
Pastor Larry
Announcements:
NO Bible
Study this week
April 14 7:00 Executive Committee
May 9 Mothers’ Day
May 12 Board Meeting
Donation Box: Camp Emmanuel
First Sundays: food donations for food banks
Pastor Larry Traxler- (217) 454-2362
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Keep
in Your Prayers
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Love
God, grow with others, serve faithfully, reach the lost, find peace.
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