It’s All About Life Series

“Setting Troubled Hearts at Rest: It’s All About Life”

John 20:19-31

So how can we be so sure? How do we know that Easter isn’t anything more than a tradition that keeps alive a great inspirational story? How do we know whether or not the story is true? Can we be sure that Jesus really is who He said He was? What do you think of Jesus?

As we attempt to answer these critical questions, I’d like you to imagine. For the next little while you are not in a sanctuary – you are in a courtroom. You are not a congregation – you are a jury. The client is Jesus – He’s in absentia. He’s been charged with blasphemy, claiming to be the Son of God. I am His defense attorney. Listen attentively as I present my summation of His defense.

You have been charged with the responsibility of determining whether or not Jesus committeed blasphemy. Thank you for paying such close attention throughout these days of testimony and evidence sharing. I indulge your patience for a few more moments as I review the evidence and let it speak for itself. I begin by summarizing THE SAYINGS AND SIGNS OF JESUS. Soon after He began His public ministry He was at a wedding with His mother and His disciples. The host ran out of wine – a cardinal and embarrassing offense. Jesus told the servants to fill the water jugs with water and take them to the master. When they got to the master the water had turned into wine. No one would have known what happened except the disciples were there – they witnessed it. It’s a matter of record.

One day He engaged in conversation with a woman at a well in Samaria (John 4). After He shared that He knew her current situation and needs she said, “I know that Messiah (called Christ) is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” Jesus replied, “I who speak to you am He.” Jesus claimed that He was the promised Messiah, the chosen one of God to bring salvation to the world. The woman shared her testimony with other Samaritans from her town; they went to hear him teach and He taught them for two days – and “Because of his words many more became believers… (saying) We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.” It’s a matter of record.

As soon as Jesus left that town He was approached by a royal official whose son was seriously ill. He begged Jesus to come to his home and heal his son. Jesus simply said, “You may go. Your son will live.” At that moment his son was healed. The official and his entire household believed in Jesus. It’s a matter of record.

Some days later Jesus entered Jerusalem by a famous healing pool, where many of the blind, lame, and paralyzed lay. They had hopes of getting into the waters at just the right time, in order to be healed. One such man had been an invalid there for 38 years. Jesus asked him, “Do you want to be healed?” The man never directly answered Jesus – he just offered all the reason he hadn’t yet been healed. Finally Jesus said, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” Instantly the man got up and walked away. Even the Jewish leaders, much to their chagrin, knew a miracle had taken place. It’s a matter of record.

Sometime later a large crowd of over 5,000 people found Jesus and the disciples. After teaching for most of the day Jesus asked one of His disciples to get food for all the people. Meanwhile another disciple found a little boy with 5 small loaves and two small fish. He brought them to Jesus. Jesus blessed the bread and fish and fed everyone – until they were full! And there were 12 full baskets left over! Talk about witnesses – over 5,000 of them! The next day, (John 6) Jesus declared He was the source and sustenance of life. “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and He who believes in me will never go thirsty.” Who could argue with Him? It’s a matter of record.

On another day Jesus and the disciples were traveling along a road and came upon a man blind from birth. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” Then He spit on the ground, mixed up some mud with His hands and put it on the man’s eyes. He instructed the man to go to the Pool of Siloam and wash away the mud. And when the man did so, he could see! Even the Pharisees, the religious leaders, who weren’t very fond of Jesus had to admit it was a miracle. It’s a matter of record.