Illustration: Dr. E. Stanley Jones, the famous missionary, wrote in his autobiography a story about a friend, who was called upon to conduct a funeral service. This friend wanted to do the funeral exactly as it should be, so he turned to the New Testament to see how Jesus conducted a funeral. What he found was that Jesus didn’t conduct funerals at all ñ all He dealt with were resurrections!
No doubt as the proceedings of this Palm Sunday week took place, Satan was contemplating the funeral of Jesus. How he had deceived himself. Satan too, made the discovery that Jesus only does resurrections.
That week began as the air was filled with the excitement of Jesus entry into Jerusalem. Men, women and children cast their clothes and branches before Jesus and cried "Hosanna" ñ literally, save now. They too, had a limited understanding of all that the appearance of Jesus meant.
As we consider out text today we will find that the events of that week ñ his death, burial, and resurrection were the culmination of his appearance on earth, the initiation of his appearance before God on our behalf and the preparation for his appearance in the future to receive us into his presence (Read Heb. 9:24-28).
I. He Has Appeared (9:26) The cross was the focus of Jesusí appearance on earth.
From the time of his birth right up to the time of his death, most people failed to understand the purpose of Jesusí appearance upon this earth . . . and they still do today! At the very beginning Herod feared that Jesus had arrived for the purpose of replacing him as king. The result was a massacre of infant boys across the land. Because Herod refused to see the grace of God that was embodied in Jesus, suffering and agony resulted. Even in todayís world there are many who fear that Jesus will take over in their lives. They resent the idea that they must in humility submit themselves to Jesus. When Christians attempt to witness, when the Christian community attempts to impact society, these modern day Herods strike out against the appearance of Christ through his people.
Illustration: Many years ago, while on a visit to America, a wealthy Chinese businessman was fascinated by a powerful microscope. Looking through its lens to study crystals and the petals of flowers, he was amazed at their beauty and detail. So he decided to purchase one of these devices and take it back to China. He thoroughly enjoyed using it until one day he examined some rice he was planning to eat for dinner. Much to his dismay, he discovered that tiny living creatures were crawling in it. Since he was especially fond of this staple food in his daily diet, he wondered what to do. Finally he concluded that there was only one way out of his dilemma -- he would destroy the instrument that caused him to discover the distasteful fact! So he smashed the microscope to pieces.
As foolish as that action sounds, it is a graphic picture of the reaction of people today who view Jesus appearance as one who complicates the enjoyment of their fleshly comforts and desires.
Later, Jesus began his public ministry. He demonstrated true love and compassion by healing those with physical needs, befriending those who were lonely and oppressed, and instructing those whose minds were darkened. The religious leaders responded to the appearance of Jesus ñ an appearance designed to bring life to a faith grown formal and cold ñ they responded with rejection and fearfulness. Once again, man, failed to see the grace of God embodied in Jesus Christ. Instead of enjoying the forgiveness and empowerment of the Son of God they chose to be in bondage to the law and self-righteousness. Many religions today have made the same choice. The gospel preached from many a pulpit today is not a gospel at all but as Paul expressed it another gospel which is not another. The result is never-ending effort to please God with works that are a stench in his nostrils.
Illustration: Recently my sister and her husband traveled to San Luis Potosi, Mexico for their daughters special 15th birthday celebration. While there they thought it would be nice to renew their marriage vows in conjunction with the celebration. They only church official available was a Catholic priest. He declined to officiate because they are not Catholic. In the course of the conversation my brother in law asked the priest if he were to die that night would he be sure of heaven. The priestís answer was, "No one can be sure."
Unfortunately, for all who fail to understand that his appearance on this earth was to be the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world there is nothing left but the bondage and hopelessness of a works religion.
Still others clamored after Jesus, seeing the great miracles that he did or recognizing the greatness of his teaching. They were willing to recognize his appearance in their midst as long as they could benefit from it and as long as there was no demand made to change their lifestyle to give him the place of spiritual prominence he required. There are many modern day counterparts to this understanding of Jesus appearance as well. Some of them are comfortably involved in churches across the land. The church of Laodicea was a church that pictures todayís church. Jesus was found knocking at the door. He had not been included as an integral part of the activity of the church.
Illustration: One day, a man went to visit a church. He arrived early, parked his car, and got out. Another car pulled up near him, and the driver told him, "I always park there. You took my place!"
The visitor went inside for Sunday School, found an empty seat, and sat down. A young lady from the church approached him and stated, "That’s my seat! You took my place!" The visitor was somewhat distressed by this rude welcome, but said nothing.
After Sunday School, the visitor went into the church sanctuary and sat down. Another member walked up to him and said, "That’s where I always sit. You took my place!" The visitor was even more troubled by this treatment, but still said nothing.
Later, as the congregation was praying for Christ to dwell among them, the visitor stood, and his appearance began to change. Horrible scars became visible on his hands and on his sandaled feet. Someone from the congregation noticed him and called out, "What happened to you?"
The visitor replied, "I took your place."
That, of course, is the true reason that Jesus appeared. Out text says, "He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself."
Do we welcome and worship Jesus today as our sacrifice? Do we invite him to be the king of our lives? Do we gladly give him priority in our decisions and pattern our daily behavior in accord with his principles? If not, are we any better than those we have considered? Are we like Herod who feigned an interest in Christ in order to protect his own self-interests? Are we like the Pharisees who would have welcomed Jesus if he had just not interfered with their religion. Are we like the self-seekers who were glad to enjoy the benefits of Christ as long as they didnít have to proclaim his as their spiritual king ñ as the Son of God who deserved to rule completely in their lives?
Our answers to those questions will reveal the extent of our understanding of Christís appearing for us ñ to be the sacrifice for our sin.
II. He Now Appears (9:24) The cross was the transition to Jesusí appearance before God on our behalf.
Paul stated, "My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." The success of Jesusí appearance ñ that is his death burial and resurrection ñ initiated the ministry Christ now has in the presence of God. His ministry is to supply all of our needs. It is because of the accomplished purpose of Jesusí appearance here on earth that you and I have a standing before God. That standing is kept secure as Jesus appears before God today.
One of the activities of our Savior is to dispense mercy and grace to us day by day. We discover this ministry of Jesus in Heb 4:15-16:
For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need
According to this scripture there is nothing that we might face that Jesus does not understand. He was tempted in all the same areas we are tempted ñ the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life. Every possible sin and temptation falls into one of these areas. Whatever the struggle ñ passion, pills, power, possessions, pornography, or popularity ñ Jesus can sympathize. Jesus has grace and mercy available for our victory. What an absolute aggravation that must be to Satan. He canít dream up anything for which Jesus cannot dispense the necessary grace and mercy to overcome. The songwriter has described the grace of God that Jesus gives:
Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvaryís mount outpoured
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.
Grace, Grace, Godís grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within
Grace, Grace, Godís grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin
Those who consider the appearing of Jesus to be a threatened yoke would do well to listen to the words of a little child.
Illustration: A Sunday school superintendent asked his students: "Who can tell me what a yoke is?"
"Something they put on the necks of animals," answered a ten-year-old girl.
"Then," asked the leader, "what is God’s yoke?"
There was silence until a four-year-old raised his hand and said,
"Jesus, putting His arms around our neck."
How true that little oneís definition was. The arms of Jesus are Godís yoke around our neck this morning. Through that embrace flows the mercy and grace of God.
While Jesus loves us, Satan hates us and is busy accusing us before the Father. He is described as the "accuser of the brethren" and is constantly presenting his case against us before God. How frustrated Satan must be. Every time he points out a sin debt and demands payment for it Jesus says, "I paid for that with my blood!"
Illustration: A doctor could not bear to withhold services from the poor. Each time one of his patients could not pay, the doctor would simply record that service in red in his ledger. After his death the wife who was not as compassionate decided she would collect payment for all the charged services. However, when she opened the ledger she found that she could not read any of the notations for charged services. Just before his death the doctor had gone through his ledger and marked over all the red items with a red marker. What was there before could no longer be seen.
This is exactly what Jesus does as he appears on our behalf before the Father. When Satan presents a claim. Jesus blots it out with his blood. Nothing remains to be seen.
III. He Shall Appear (9:28) The cross was the means by which Jesus could appear again for us.
Next Sunday we are looking forward to a reunion. Unless something happens unexpectedly, our children will all be home, our grandchildren will be home, my Mom and Dad will be home and other relatives will be here. For some of the family it will be the first time together in four years.
Again, the songwriter has expressed an exciting fact ñ thereís going to be a reunion, a reunion in the sky.
Now this reunion is going to be quite different from our earthly reunions. When we get together here we often observe how time has dealt a blow. We note the effects of passing years on appearance, health and attitude. But that reunion will result in our bodies being changed ñ [Christ] will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious bodyÖ"
It is amazing that people seek out every possible means of beautifying and preserving our body here on earth, but avoid seeking the one who will usher them into eternity with a glorified body that will be immortal? Unlike the decaying condition that we all experience now, we will have the guarantee of everlasting life. According to Revelation 22:12-14, God will even grant access once again to the tree of life from which Adam and Eve were barred due to the presence of sin.
Conclusion:
The appearing of Jesus on this earth was designed so we could experience the love of God and forgiveness of sin in our lives. His appearing at the cross was the confirmation of that plan designed by God. The appearance of Jesus will be the completion of Godís plan and only awaits the decision of those yet to be saved.
Illustration: A little boy was offered the opportunity to select a dog for his birthday present. At the pet store, he was shown a number of puppies. From them he picked one whose tail was wagging furiously. When he was asked why he selected that particular dog, the little boy said, "I wanted the one with the happy ending."
Thatís exactly what the appearance of Jesus will be. Thatís the very thing that drove Jesus to the cross. For the joy that was set before him Jesus endured the agony of the cross. Jesus saw the happy ending that would result from his trip to Calvary and gladly did it for you and me.
