The Journey (Resurrection Sunday)
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Welcome everyone,
We are so glad that you are here. My name is Jordan, I am one of the pastors here. Today is a powerful day. One where we celebrate that Jesus cane. That He was not just a man, but the promised Son of God. The messiah. We celebrate that God was willing to come to earth as a man. To bring clarity to the kingdom of heaven. To the life of freedom that He invites us.
You see, Jesus is able to invite each one of us into a new life. The language He chose is that we can be “Born again.” That in a very real way, we can have a do-over. You see, we believe that Jesus came as the son of God. Not as an just as an example, not just as a good teacher, or a prophet. But that He came to fulfill a mission that would bring His saving grace to mankind. Choosing to take the punishment that we deserve, knowing that we couldn’t pay the bill, Jesus died on the cross for you and for me. Not only did He die, but the sins of the world were placed on Him in that moment. Meaning, we can surrender all of our sin, all of our brokenness, and all of our pain. And because He has paid the bill, He has the ability to forgive us for our sin, because He already paid the price for it. We celebrate Resurrection Sunday because when Jesus rose from the dead, He proved His authority over life and over death. leaving now question that He is in fact God in the flesh.
As we gather to celebrate, we are going to elevate His name through worship. We are going to hear of His mighty works that include any who would come to Him. We are going to see, how the brokenness of this life can be brought to His throne. Through all of this, we want to respond in celebratory worship. We want to cry out Hosanna in the Highest. Which simply means, we praise and adore Jesus as the risen Lord, the saving messiah.
Can I just say, I love Adam’s story. I love hearing how in a place of brokenness the Lord moved. First, leading Adam out of a life with self destructive habits. Then using Adam and others to reach a hurting family. The story of their journey is still unfolding. We don’t know where everything will land. We don’t know what challenges are still to come. But we know that God is at work. That God is always at work.
It’s one of the reasons that we gather for Resurrection Sunday. A day in the year that acts as a reminder. A reminder that even when all appears to be lost, when we cant see a way forward, Jesus is still at work.
This morning we want to recognize that like Adam, like his family, we are all on a journey. We all face hardships and brokenness. We live in the physical world so we pay attention to what we see. But we are Spiritual beings, which means that there is a far greater depth to life than what the physical world can offer. We all know this. We have all felt the shallow emptiness of our pursuits. We always believe that the next step, the next level, the next promotion will be the piece that brings completion. But each time, the fulfilment, the satisfaction is momentary.
In 2017, I went with a team of 10 into the Himalayan mountains. We were doing a long trek up through the mountains. We didn’t know where exactly we were going. We were unsure what we would see, what obstacles we may encounter. We had trained our bodies for the trip and did what we could to get used to a 40lb pack while climbing steep hills. But can I just say, when you are living on primarily flat ground, there is no way to fully prepare yourself for the Himalaya Mountains. We hiked for 10 days and never left the valley where we started while gaining about 7,000 feet in elevation. Even though we never left the valley, it became clear that you really needed to know where you are going. There were many paths and man branches where the valley would split in two. Turning onto the wrong path could actually leave you in a dangerous situation. Thankfully we had a few guides who were leading us. But there were still times where I was very interested in having a map. Something that could show me where I am and where I am going.
This morning, I want to offer to you a Faith Journey map. One that may help you identify where you are in you are and where you still may need to go. Perhaps you are in a place of
Unbelief: Your here not because of you are interested but because you have dinner plans with everyone after the service.
Doubtful: Your aware of the claims of Jesus, but you just are not buying it.
Perhaps you are open. You don’t really know what to believe, but in your mind it is certainly a possibility.
Interested - asking questions and find yourself intrigued.
Investigating - searching for facts, reading the Bible, reaching out to pastors with questions. Seriously looking at the evidence.
Convinced - You believe that Jesus is God, but you don’t have a relationship with Him yet. You have not surrendered to Him as Lord of your life.
Belief - You follow after Jesus, trusting that He has forgiven you and will save you from your sin, because at the cross he took it.
Wherever you are on your faith journey, I want to invite you to simply take one step forward.
Just as we are on a faith journey, so were Jesus’ disciples. The disciples were doing great, growing in confidence and faith. But then, everything changed, watching Jesus die was a shocking turn that they didn't know how to process. This morning, I want to consider the faith journey’s of some of Jesus’ closest followers.
Pray
Let’s start with Mary Magdalene. Mary’s journey was hard. In fact, in many respects she was totally broken.
When we consider her story it is easy to see that she lacked confidence
She never felt valued or loved.
Its hard to imagine that she had any hope
We are left to wonder if she had any close relationships. Were they all pushed away? She had so many problems in her life that she was just hard to be around.
But then she met Jesus. He cast the demons out of her. He restored her. Everything changed. From that time, Mary began to follow Jesus. She became one of His followers and is referenced in several key moments. In a moment, Jesus shifted the course of her life. So she followed Him with everything she had. In fact, on the morning that Jesus rose from the dead, Mary was the first one there. In John 20:1–2 we read that she saw Jesus’ body was gone and thought someone took His body. In her shock and concern she ran to tell the disciples.
A reaction of disbelief. One of distress. Peter and John quickly run to the tomb to find it open and the body gone. But Mary must have followed them back to the tomb, because in verse 11 she is there weeping. Still believing that for some, unknown reason someone has taken Jesus’ body. But then, Jesus appears to her:
16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord” - and that he had said these things to her.”
Can you imagine that moment. She is sitting there weeping. Believing that Jesus is dead and for some unknown reason his tomb robed. She was at a total loss, anxious distress, deep concern, and unbearable pain. As all of this came over her, her mind was racing as question after question presented itself.
But can we be honest in saying “that is the place.” That place of grief and loss where Jesus begins to work. For the second time, Jesus brings healing to her at her greatest point of need.
I don’t know about you, but for me it is in moments of great pain that we start asking questions nobody can answer. If we are willing to turn toward God in that moment, if we are willing to trust Him in our sorrow and disappointment He will meet us there. Just as Jesus met Mary in that place, He wants to meet you.
Mary had many powerful encounters with Jesus. But two that really stand out. In both cases, Mary was moved from a place of disbelief to a place of belief. From complete brokenness to being fulfilled.
In showing her He was alive, Mary moved from grieving loss and confusion to embracing and trusting Jesus.
Jesus didn't just appear to Mary, He also appeared to the other women. Jesus wanted each of them to know that He was no longer dead, but that death had been defeated. That He had conquered the grave. And the women believed.
In their journey from the death of Jesus to seeing Him alive, they saw Him and responded in faith.
Next, He met with Cleopas and another believer who were traveling back to Emmaus from Jerusalem. Jesus came to them, but did not reveal Himself to them. And asked them, “What are you discussing?” and they said to him
Luke 24:19–24 “And they said to Him “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.””
You see, Cleopas and this other believer really believed that Jesus was the promised savior. But when Jesus died, they thought it was over. They couldn’t believe that the report from the women was correct because there just was not enough evidence. So they didn’t know what to say about this Jesus other than He must have been a prophet sent by God. It’s interesting because They truly hoped Jesus was the savior. But death meant he couldn’t be. And they couldn’t understand how Jesus could have risen from the dead. So their faith journey is marked by hope that began with questioning, moved to searching, and now after Jesus died moved from embracing to a place of unbelief.
But Jesus wanted to meet them in their unbelief. He wanted to restore their hope that caused them to search for Him in the first place. First He gives them some words to chew on. Later that evening, they sit down to eat and this is what it says,
Luke 24:31–35 “31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” 33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.”
In seeing Jesus their hope was restored, and became even more enthusiastic because it was definitive proof that Jesus was the promised savior. In their enthusiasm, they ran back to Jerusalem to tell the disciples.
Now this is the second time that the disciples have heard this report that Jesus has risen. The first came early in the morning and the second later in the evening. It was while they were still discussing these things that Jesus appeared to all of them. The first thing He said was “Peace to you.” Words of comfort. But the disciples couldn’t understand how He just appeared and their anxiety rose as they thought He may be a spirit. But then Jesus said this
Luke 24:38–39 ““Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.””
Why are you troubled? Why do doubts arise in your hearts?
It is a great question for all of us. What is weighing you down? What is causing anxiety in you? What Jesus is really asking is, “What is keeping you from receiving me?”
So many people want God to just show up. “Show me that you are real and then I will believe!” It’s interesting because Jesus did. He made the lame walk, the blind see, the mute speak, sick healed, the dead raised to life again and still people did not believe. His own disciples couldn’t believe it was Him when He was standing right in front of them. Whether God stands in front of you or not, a faith relationship with Him is still required.
Maybe you are here and you have never believed. You have resided in a place of unbelief. I would like to ask you to consider something.
Why is it that no matter how hard we try we never feel satisfied?
We find ways to fill our desires and our cravings. Sometimes its a good meal that satisfy’s. Other times its just needing to get a promotion so I can make a little more money. Perhaps, its just needing to buy that next tool, boat, or hunting camp. You catch yourself thinking “If only I had that then....”
Why is it part of the human experience to be able to satisfy ourselves in the moment but never able to experience lasting satisfaction?
I would like you to consider that maybe it is because we keep trying to solve a spiritual problem with physical pleasures. The Bible tells us that God has put eternity into our hearts. Meaning that this physical world doesn’t have the ability to satisfy our souls. We can enjoy the physical world, but it was never designed to bring fulfillment.
You see, we are all on a faith journey. My question for you this morning is “where are you on yours?”
Perhaps like Mary Magdalene you are in a place of brokenness. Because of the varying hardships in your life you have struggled with important relationships. Do you feel like an outcast? Like someone who is not valued and loved? Perhaps you experience high anxiety - a state of distress.
Are you aware that Jesus wants to meet you right there. In that place of hurt. In the broken places of your heart where you have struggled - He wants you to trust Him to bring healing.
Or maybe you are like Cleopas and have been struck by grief and loss. Maybe you were in a place of having faith but you have taken repeated blows that have caused you to question your faith. You find yourself doubting and struggling to even recall the hope you once had in Jesus.
Maybe you are like some of the women who followed Jesus. A silent sufferer who grieves and feels alone. But ready to respond in faith.
Or maybe you are like Peter. When the women went to the tomb and were instructed by the angels, this is what was said to them:
Mark 16:7 “7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.””
Why did the angel say the disciples and Peter? Peter was one of the disciples. The reason is this, Jesus knows exactly what Peter is going through and he is hurting a little more than the others. The angel said “Go tell his disciples and Peter” because Peter needed encouragement.
You may already know, but the night before Jesus was crucified, Peter denied Jesus three times. Three times, he rejected Jesus and claimed that He was never with Him.
Peter was a prominent disciple. He was one of the leaders. But when hardship came, Peter fell apart. He must have been feeling so guilty and so ashamed. Not only did he fall short as a leader but he turned his back on the Lord.
Jesus was eager to meet with Peter. And that day He revealed Himself to Peter.
Each one of Jesus’ followers found themselves in different places of their faith journey. Each had their own reasons for the way they felt and responded. Jesus meaningfully met with each one where they were hurting. In each case, bringing radical transformation.
Friends, I know that we as Christians struggle to always live out our faith well. We often fall short and I know that we can even be hypocritical. But don’t turn away from Jesus, because people are not perfect. Look to Jesus and consider who He is and what He is all about:
God created us to be in a relationship with Him.
When mankind chose to go their own way, it brought separation from God. More than that God is perfect in justice and cannot allow sin to go unpunished.
Ever since, mankind has tried everything to get to God. But we can’t do it. Because God is perfect in justice He has every right to bring judgement on us.
But the cross reminds us, that though God is perfect in justice and cannot allow sin to go unpunished, He is also perfect in love.
“But God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
You see, Jesus came as an act of Love. He chose to die on the cross for your sin and for mine. Meaning, that God’s judgement that we deserve was placed on Jesus. Jesus willingly sacrificed Himself for us.
When He rose again, He came with resurrection power. Power that has already defeated death and sin. It is by Jesus that we can be forgiven. It is by Jesus that we can be restored. It is by Jesus that we can be fulfilled.
Wherever you are in your faith journey today, I want to encourage you to come to Jesus in surrender to Him. It is when we surrender that He meets us at our point of need.
Order of events
Women went to see the tomb - Salome, Joanna, Mary Magdalene, and Mary Mother of Jesus - Mt. 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-8, Lk 24:1-8, Jn 20:1-2
Peter and John run to the empty tomb - Lk 24:9-12, Jn 20:3-10
Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene Mk 16:9-11, Jn 20:11-18
Jesus appears to the other women - Mt. 28:9-10
Guards bribed by religious leaders - Mt. 18:11-15,
Jesus appears to two believers on the road to Emmaus - Mk. 16:12-13, Lk 24:13-35,
Jesus appears to Peter - Lk 24:34,
Cleopas reports to disciples - Lk 24:33-35,
Jesus appears to his disciples - Lk 24:36-49, Jn 20:19-23
8 days later - Jesus and Thomas - Jn 20:24-29
Miraculous catch of fish - Jn 21:1-14
3rd time Jesus appears to the disciples - Jn 21:4-14
Jesus restores Peter - Jn 21:15-19
Great Commission - Mt. 28:16-20, Mk 16:14-18, Lk 24:44-49,
Jesus Appears to more than 500 - 1 Cor. 15:6
Jesus appears to James - 1 Cor. 15:7
Jesus Ascends - Mk 16:19-20, Lk 24:50-53
Jesus appears to Paul - Acts 9:1-9, 1 Cor. 15:8