I Know That My Redeemer Lives

I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVES (JOHN 20:1-10 )

It’s been quite a while since MH 370 disappeared from thin air on March 8, 2014. Military radar tracking revealed that the Beijing-bound plane made a sharp turn over the South China Sea and changed altitude as it headed toward the Straits of Malacca. The plane was reportedly flying at 35,000 feet before it descended as low as 12,000 feet and then disappeared from radar, according to the official.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/24/world/asia/malaysia-airlines-plan

The Inspector-General of Malaysian Police said police were focusing on four possibilities over what happened: a potential hijacking, sabotage, psychological issues or personal problems of the passengers and/or crew.

Ten planes and nine ships searched in vain for the plane or the wreckage. The trail was cold from Malaysia to Australia, from northern to southern Indian Ocean, from radar to black box. All they found were floating objects that include a “wooden pallet,” “a gray or green circular object,” and “an orange rectangular object,” that turned out to be old fishing equipment more than six feet in length. Experts said the search could take weeks, months and years - “a long time,” according to some.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-26847402

The biggest mystery in the Bible and history must be the disappearance of Jesus’ body. Did the disciples hide his body? Did the ladies take it? Did robbers steal it? John’s account of the resurrection is as puzzling, as personal and passionate a story as any. There was no fool proof of Jesus’ resurrection, but the firsthand evidence speaks for itself. Three of Jesus’ favorite followers were there to witness the event and the evidence of the resurrection. No one witnessed the resurrection, but many were changed by it.

What is the power of the resurrection? What is the purpose of the resurrection? What is the promise of the resurrection?

Hurry Up and Tell in Love

1 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!” (John 20:1-2)

A man was pulled over by a policeman and asked if he knew he was going too fast. He said, “I’m sorry officer. I had my cruise control on and just forgot the speed limit changed.” His wife said, “Harry, I told you two miles ago that you were speeding.” Harry gives his wife a dirty look as the officer pulls out his ticket book.

“By the way, sir, did you know that your left rear signal lens was broken?” the policeman asks, to which Harry replies, “Oh wow, it must have just happened in the mall parking lot we just left.” His wife again interrupts and says, “Harry, how can you sit there and lie to that nice policeman? I told you to fix that three weeks ago!” Harry gives another look that could kill as the officer starts writing.

The policeman adds, “I am going to have to cite you for not wearing your seatbelt, also.” Harry says, “I just unbuckled as you came up to the car so I could get to my driver’s license if you needed it.” The little lady pipes up, “Harry, you know good and well, I tell you all the time that you better buckle up, ‘cause YOU NEVER WEAR YOUR SEATBELT!”

Having taken all he can stand Harry turns to his tormentor and says with great exasperation, “Woman would keep your big mouth shut!”

Now the officer looks at and addresses the little lady and asks,”does he verbally abuse you like this often, ma’am?”

Says she, “Oh no, only when he has had one drink too many.”

One of the pointed differences between Christianity and other religions is that the biggest credit and highest accolade in the most important event in church and world history were bestowed upon ladies. The bravest disciples of Jesus on resurrection day were women, not men. They were the finest, fairest and fittest disciples. Luke’s gospel tells us that at least four women were present at the tomb, Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James and others (Luke 24:10)l. Matthew and Mark were unanimous saying in four Greek words, “all (the disciples) deserted him, fled” (Matt 26:56, Mark 14:50). Unlike the men, the ladies never deserted Christ. They watched Jesus from a distance or “makrothen” (Mark 15:40), but they never disappeared from sight, ran for their lives or denied Him when questioned. The women were unflagging in caring for and looking after the needs of Jesus and the disciples, before (Mark 15:41) and after his death. Unlike Peter who followed at a distance (Luke 22:54) and denied Him three times, the women followed him, mourned and wailed for him (Luke 23:27). They were with Jesus before, during and after. Such were the passion and perseverance of women for the Lord. Luke’s gospel informs readers that the women took the spices and perfumes (ointments) they had prepared (Luke 23:56, 24:1) and then went to the tomb (Luke 24:1). Mary Magdalene had more reasons than most to serve the Lord in life and death. Jesus had cast out seven demons from her (Luke 8:2). Like other women, she was consistent, committed, considerate, courageous and conscientious.