All Is Overturned – The Power Of The Resurrection – Easter Sunday Message Series

ALL IS OVERTURNED – THE POWER OF THE RESURRECTION – EASTER SUNDAY MESSAGE

[A]. SHATTERED MINDS AND SOULS IN TURMOIL

All is overturned. Let us consider the closing hours of what is called Good Friday. Those who had been at the cross had their lives shattered. They followed Jesus throughout His ministry and had great expectations for the future. What could be better than being in ministry under the Lord of heaven and earth?

Immediately before the ascension of the Lord, the disciples wanted to know if it was at that time the Kingdom would be restored to Israel. This was a major point of interest for them, and a legitimate concern. Much had happened in the past month or so, so was it now the time for the installing of the promised Old Testament Kingdom the Jews expected to come? The fact of it happening was not in dispute. The disciples expected Jesus to have brought in the Kingdom on earth, but then he was killed, and the cross must have resulted in much uncertainty and confusion.

The disciples and the women who accompanied the group had built up a close personal relationship and friendship, and losing Jesus was like losing a close family member. Their Lord and Master had been savagely ripped from them.

The followers of the Lord left the scene at Golgotha much dismayed and alarmed and afraid. We note the expression here a bit later on – {{John 20:19 “When therefore it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when THE DOORS WERE SHUT WHERE THE DISCIPLES WERE FOR FEAR OF THE JEWS . . . . .”}}. In their reasoning they could be next to be dragged out and put to death. That is how ruthless men in Satan’s employ work. We are seeing this hateful vindictiveness more and more in socialist/Marxist/Islamic governments around the world. Study Africa right now to understand the genocide and wickedness being perpetrated against Christians. The worst of it is in Nigeria, Cameroon, South Africa, Sudan, I think Kenya, and there are more places. These are the last days according to 2Timothy 3 and the difficult (“perilous” – AV) times have come.

Please read The Barnabas Fund and The Voice of the Martyrs publications.

Let us return to the disciples behind closed door. The Sabbath gave some respite, but would the priests and Sadducees and Rulers come looking for the disciples when the Sabbath was over, that was on the next day, which is our Sunday, the first day of the week?

When trauma strikes, there is confusion, sadness and despair. The followers of Jesus, and that included all those he healed and ministered to, and those who believed His message, they all had to look beyond the cross to a great time of uncertainty with no Lord who led them. To all intents and purposes Jesus was dead and placed in a tomb where He would remain.

Any one of us who has been through a great sudden loss knows the feelings that come from that loss and the shattering of the life. It requires a time of serious adjustment, but sadly some people are incapable of overcoming that. We must be so thankful to the Lord who provides His consolation, comfort, strength and perspective in trial and loss.

[B]. UNCERTAINTY LEADS TO DOUBT

Yes, uncertainty leads to all sorts of dismaying thoughts and doubt is strongly there among them. Early in Jesus’ ministry, He received a visit from a couple of disciples sent by John the Baptist. Here is the account – {{Matthew 11:2-3 Now when John in prison heard of the works of Christ, he sent word by his disciples, and said to Him, “ARE YOU THE EXPECTED ONE, or shall we look for someone else?”}}

John the Baptist preached the coming Kingdom – Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand, and the people confessed their sins through baptism in the Jordan River. He knew he was the forerunner for Jesus, so he expected the Kingdom he preached about,/ would be set up. There is so much about the earthly Kingdom (which is the Millennium) in the Old Testament. John was in prison and had some doubts about why Jesus had not yet set that Kingdom up. He was confused.

He sent his disciples to Jesus to ask a question to relieve his anxious concerns. Was Jesus the Expected One (The KING of the Jews who would set up the Kingdom and reign from Jerusalem after He comes again to the Mount of Olives at the Second Coming)? {{Zechariah 14:9 “And THE LORD WILL BE KING OVER ALL THE EARTH; in that day the LORD will be the only One, and His name the only one.”}}

John brooded on it in prison but it was not happening. No doubt, John the Baptist had doubts. When Jesus was crucified, did any of those who believed in Him have doubts? Doubts that He was the Messiah? Doubts that He did not have the power to save His own life? Even doubts that some of what He said may not have been true?