Jesus Is Here! Series

Jesus Is Here!

The Gospel of John

John 20:19-23

Sermon by Rick Crandall

Grayson Baptist Church - August 8, 2018

(Revised July 8, 2020)

BACKGROUND:

*Today in John 20 we continue to explore the most hope-giving day in history: The day that our crucified Savior Jesus Christ rose again from the dead! Last time we looked at the first Easter morning from Mary Magdalene's point of view. Tonight we will see what happened that evening when Jesus appeared to His disciples. Jesus was there with His followers on that first Easter Sunday, and by His Holy Spirit, He is here with us right now. Please think about this great news as we read John 20:19-23.

MESSAGE:

*Pastor Tom Long told about teaching three little girls in his church about special days in the Christian calendar. Of course, they talked about Christmas and Easter, but then the discussion turned to Pentecost.

*Pastor Long asked the girls if they knew what Pentecost was. Since none of them did, he told them that Pentecost was when the church was sitting in a group. And the Holy Spirit landed on them like tongues of fire on their heads.

*Two of the girls took that information in stride. But one girl's eyes got as big as saucers, and she said, "Gosh, Reverend Long, we must have been absent that Sunday." (1)

*Of course, the story of Pentecost is found in Acts chapter 2. And we may not have the tongues of fire today, but we have HIM. Jesus Christ is here. And this great Bible passage helps us understand this life-changing truth.

1. NOTICE FIRST THAT JESUS IS HERE TO STAND BY US.

*In vs. 19, "Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst. . ."

*The disciples were gathered together that night. And we ought to gather for worship every time we can. But they weren't gathered together that Sunday night because they were faithful members of their church. No. -- The disciples were there that evening, because they were scared to death. Jesus had been killed, and they thought they were next.

*John Phillips described the scene and said: "The day was our Sunday. The time was probably no sooner than 8 o'clock since the two disciples who met the Lord on the road to Emmaus had time to make the trip back to Jerusalem.

*That part of the story is found in Luke 24:13-36, and we can imagine the strong emotion in their conversation that evening. Some of the disciples were still skeptical about the Lord's resurrection. Mark 16:12-13 tells us they didn't believe those two disciples who met Jesus on the road to Emmaus. The Lord had also appeared to Mary Magdalene, and some of the other women. But testimony from women wasn't taken seriously in that day. Even so, the other disciples were convinced, in part because Luke 24:34 tells us that the Lord had appeared privately to Peter.

*Back and forth the disciples must have argued with emotions fired up by the terror they felt. They were naturally afraid that the Jewish rulers might at any moment send their police to arrest them. Maybe they heard that they were already being accused of stealing the Lord's body. And the men who had not hesitated to murder their Master, would not hesitate to kill them too. So, the door was firmly shut. At least that gave them a small sense of security." (2)

*Jesus had been killed. And the Lord's terrified followers thought they were next. But then something wonderful happened: Jesus showed up! And He stood by them. Again in vs. 19, "The same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst. . ."

*William MacDonald pointed out that this was a miracle. Jesus entered the room without opening the locked doors. It was just poof, and there He was! That's why at first. they thought Jesus was a ghost. Luke 24:36-40 says:

36. Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, "Peace to you.''

37. But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit.

38. And He said to them, "Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts?

39. Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.''

40. When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet.