A Much Needed Source Of Power

A Much Needed Source of Power

John 20:19-31

04/23/06

I bought my vehicle in May of 2002, brand spanking new, and drove it proudly off the lot. As of today, that car has carried me 197,600 miles on the highways and byways of my life. I wonder how many gallons of gas I’ve used and how much money I’ve spent on that gas? Yet without the gas, my car will not function. It will not carry me where I need to be unless it has the power to operate properly. Gas gives it that power. If I fail to pay EMEPA, they will cut my electricity off. There will be no source of light in my house unless there is the power of electricity. I can flip the switches til I’m blue in the face, but without the power, my lights are useless.

If I decide to quit eating, my body will get weak as a result of a lack of nutrients. Food and water are the source of power that gives me strength for living. And if I quit eating, not only will I grow weak but I will eventually die because I need the power of the food to keep me going.

Anything with energy has to have a source of power to give it that energy to work properly. Too many Christians are working without a source of power in their lives and they are virtually useless because they don’t have the spiritual power necessary to do the work of God. If I eat junk food for my diet, my body will work but not as it is created to work. It needs a proper diet in order to have the energy to live from day to day. Many Christians are attempting to live a godly life on an improper spiritual diet. God has provided us with the menu to order from so that we can be fed and strengthned properly but many of us are choosing the deserts rather than the entrée. And soon we find ourselves weak and unable to maintain a consistent walk with God. We need the power that only God offers if we desire to be effective servants for the kingdom.

According to John’s gospel, the disciples had not yet encountered the resurrected Jesus. John and Peter had seen the empty tomb and Mary had excitedly told them of her witnessing the risen Christ, but the disciples had not seen Him yet. It was on the evening of the first Easter, and they were all gathered in a room behind locked doors. They were gathered there and were in fear of what had taken place. If they tortured and crucified Jesus, who’s to say that they would not be next on the list of those to be executed? So they huddled together in fear, perhaps wondering if life would ever be the same again. And suddenly from out of nowhere, Jesus appears and says, “Peace be with you.”

We may not gather together behind locked doors for fear of losing our lives, but don’t we huddle together and discuss those things that concern us? Gas prices, our health, financial problems, the war, terrorism, family members, relationships, etc…

Like those disciple of long ago, fear still has a way of gripping us making us wonder if life will ever be the same again. Today, Jesus still appears among us and whispers, “Peace be with you.” He has conquered death and there’s no problem we may have that He can’t conquer today. He created the beauty and splendor of the heavens; there’s nothing that happens in our lives that He can’t handle. “Peace be with you”.

Hear those words and let them resonate in your heart. The risen Savior is very aware of your concerns and all He requests is that you trust Him.

The disciples are overjoyed to see Jesus and I’m sure they celebrated together as they witnessed this most glorious event. We too, need to continue the celebration of the resurrection of Christ each Sunday that we gather together. His death on the cross offers pardon for all and His resurrection provides us with the hope and joy of life eternal. That is something worth celebrating and worship should be a time of joy and anticipation of meeting with the risen Lord.

But then He gives the disciples the bad news- “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” “But Lord, they beat you and whipped you and crucified you”, they must have thought. “I’m not so sure I’m up to being sent out just yet.”

Jesus was not very well excepted by the world and had very few friends and no place to lay His head at night. The religious people scoffed at Him and He was under constant ridicule. Others had threatened to stone Him and some attempted to push Him off of a cliff. Most folks didn’t won’t Him around and asked Him to leave their presence. His life seemed to be constantly met with opposition. And finally, they whipped Him and nailed Him to a cruel cross. And now He says to the disciples and to you and me, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”