JOURNEY FROM THE CROSS: JESUS COMES

Sermon Notes, April 7, 2013

Pastor Gary Smith

 

Sunday’s message was titled “Journey from the Cross: Jesus Comes” and was based on John 20:19-31.  Sometimes life gets us down, and we wonder “Where is the Lord?”

It is the evening of the morning when Mary Magdalene saw the risen Jesus.  The disciples are together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews. They are wondering, “Where is the Lord?”  When the Romans, or Caiaphas the High Priest, find the body gone, who will they come looking for?  They are fearful, hiding behind locked doors.  In verses 19 and 26, Jesus comes in the midst of their fears and stands among them.  The Greek word translated as “among” means with them, upholding and sustaining them; he causes them to stand.  The cross can’t stop him.  The tomb can’t hold him.  Locked doors can’t keep him out.

Jesus says “Peace be with you.”  He says it in verses 19, 21, and 26.  Why did the disciples lock the doors?  For protection.  We lock our hearts, too, building walls.  We’re locked in our private pain, trying to hide our insecurities.  Jesus comes, over and over, offering us peace, bringing new life.  Peace is more than the absence of conflict.  The Hebrew word translated as “peace,” shalom, means complete peace, harmony and rest; wholeness.

In verse 25, the disciples tell Thomas, “We have seen the Lord!”  It’s a personal witness from a growing group of those who have seen him.  But Thomas wants to see Jesus for himself.  A week later, in verses 26-28, he does see him, saying “My Lord and my God!” when Jesus invites him to touch his wounds.

Verse 31 tells us that John wrote all these things that we might believe that Jesus is the Christ, and that believing, we might have life in his name.  We shut ourselves up and hide in our private pain.  But Jesus is here, with us.  He knows us by name.  He gives full and complete peace.  We are never alone.